How 6 Points Affects Your New Jersey License
Six points on your New Jersey driver license does not automatically suspend your license, but it puts you close to the threshold where the state takes action. New Jersey suspends licenses when a driver accumulates 12 points within a three-year period. At 6 points, you are halfway there, and your insurance rates will already be rising.
The state does not send you a warning letter at 6 points. You find out by checking your driving record through the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) or when your insurance company notifies you of a rate increase. The points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, meaning a violation from today will stop counting toward suspension on the same date three years from now.
If you receive another violation before those three years are up, the points stack. A single additional 6-point violation would put you at 12 points and trigger an automatic license suspension. Even a 2-point violation would move you to 8 points, leaving you only 4 points away from suspension.
Key Takeaways
- Six points is half the threshold for license suspension in New Jersey; 12 points within three years triggers an automatic suspension.
- Points remain on your record for three years from the violation date, then stop counting toward suspension.
- Your insurance company will see the points and will likely increase your premium, even if your license is not suspended.
- You can request a hearing with the MVC to challenge the points if you believe the violation was issued in error.
- Completing a defensive driving course may reduce points by up to 3, but only once every three years and only if you have no suspension.
Which Violations Carry 6 Points in New Jersey
Several common traffic violations result in exactly 6 points. The most frequent are reckless driving, careless driving, and driving with an expired or suspended license. Speeding 20 miles per hour or more over the posted limit also carries 6 points. Leaving the scene of an accident where property damage occurred (but no injury) is a 6-point violation.
Failure to report an accident, operating a vehicle without insurance, and certain equipment violations can also result in 6 points depending on the circumstances. The specific violation code on your ticket determines the point value. If you are unsure what violation you received, the ticket itself lists the statute and the MVC website provides a searchable table of violations and their point values.
How to Check Your Current Point Total
You can view your driving record and point total through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website. Go to nj.gov/mvc, select "Driver Services," and choose "Check Your Driving Record." You will need your driver license number and date of birth. The online record is updated regularly but may lag by a few days after a violation is processed.
You can also request a certified copy of your driving record by mail or in person at an MVC office. The certified version is what your insurance company sees and what the state uses to determine suspension may be able to access. If you see an error on your record — a violation you do not recognize or incorrect point values — you can file a challenge with the MVC.
What Happens to Your Insurance After 6 Points
Insurance companies receive notice of point violations within days of the violation being recorded. Most insurers will increase your premium at your next renewal, and some will increase it when ready if the violation occurs mid-policy. The increase varies by company and by the specific violation, but a 6-point violation typically raises rates by 20 to 50 percent for three years.
Some insurers may place you in a higher-risk category or require you to pay a higher deductible. A few insurers will drop you entirely if you accumulate too many points, though this is less common with a single 6-point violation. Shopping for a new insurer after a violation sometimes yields better rates than staying with your current company, since different insurers weight violations differently.
Reducing Points Through a Defensive Driving Course
New Jersey allows you to reduce your point total by up to 3 points by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can take the course only once every three years, and you must have no active license suspension. The course is typically four to six hours long and can be taken in person or online through approved providers.
The course costs between $30 and $80 depending on the provider. After you complete it, you submit your certificate to the MVC, and the 3-point reduction is applied to your record. This reduction does not erase the violation — it remains on your record — but it lowers your point total. At 6 points, a 3-point reduction would bring you to 3 points, well below the suspension threshold.
The reduction takes effect after the MVC processes your certificate, which typically takes two to four weeks. The course does not affect your insurance rates; insurers see the original violation regardless of whether you took a course.
Requesting a Hearing to Challenge the Violation
If you believe the violation was issued in error or you want to contest it, you can request a hearing with the MVC. You have 20 days from the date on your ticket to request the hearing. The request must be in writing and sent to the address listed on your ticket. Some tickets include a form for requesting a hearing; if yours does, use that form.
At the hearing, you can present your side of the incident and question the officer who issued the ticket. The hearing officer will decide whether the violation stands or is dismissed. If the violation is dismissed, the points are removed from your record. If it stands, you can appeal the decision, though the appeal process is lengthy and rarely overturns the hearing officer's decision.
Many people hire a traffic attorney to represent them at the hearing. An attorney can sometimes negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the violation to a lower-point offense or to a non-moving violation that carries no points. The cost of an attorney typically ranges from $300 to $1,000 depending on the complexity of the case.
What Happens If You Reach 12 Points
When you accumulate 12 or more points within a three-year period, the MVC automatically suspends your license. You will receive a notice in the mail stating the suspension date and the length of the suspension. First-time suspensions typically last three months, though the length can vary based on your driving history and the specific violations.
During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and further license suspension. After your suspension period ends, you must pay a $100 restoration fee to the MVC before your license is reinstated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will 6 points suspend my license right away?
No. New Jersey suspends licenses at 12 points within three years. At 6 points, you are at the halfway mark. Your license remains valid, but you are vulnerable to suspension if you receive another violation before the three-year period ends.
Can I get the 6 points removed from my record?
The violation itself stays on your record for three years. You cannot erase it, but you can reduce your point total by 3 points through a defensive driving course. You can also challenge the violation at a hearing if you believe it was issued in error.
How much will my insurance go up with 6 points?
Most insurers increase premiums by 20 to 50 percent for a 6-point violation, though the exact amount depends on your insurer and driving history. The increase typically lasts for three years. Some insurers charge more or less, so comparing quotes from multiple companies may save you money.
Do I have to take a defensive driving course?
No, it is optional. A course reduces your points by 3 and may help with insurance rates over time, but it does not affect your current premium. You can take a course only once every three years and only if you have no active suspension.
What if I get another violation before the first one ages off?
The points from both violations stack. If your new violation is also 6 points, you would reach 12 points and trigger an automatic license suspension. Even a 2-point violation would bring you to 8 points, leaving only 4 points before suspension.