Six points on your New Jersey driving record suspends your license for a set period, depending on when you accumulated them

New Jersey's point system is cumulative within a rolling 12-month window. If you collect 6 points in any 12-month period, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will suspend your license. The suspension length depends on your age and driving history. For a first offense within that window, a standard suspension runs 30 days. If you accumulate 6 points a second time within three years, the suspension extends to 60 days. A third occurrence within three years results in a 10-month suspension.

The MVC sends a suspension notice by mail to your address on file. The notice tells you the exact suspension start date, which is usually 10 to 14 days after you receive it. You cannot drive during the suspension period — not for work, not for medical emergencies, not for any reason. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries fines, jail time, and additional points.

Key Takeaways

  • Six points accumulated within 12 months triggers an automatic 30-day license suspension for a first offense.
  • The MVC mails a suspension notice to your address; the suspension typically begins 10 to 14 days after you receive it.
  • You cannot drive during suspension for any reason, and driving while suspended is a criminal offense separate from the original violation.
  • You can request a hearing before the suspension takes effect if you believe the points were issued in error or want to present circumstances to the MVC.
  • After your suspension ends, you must pay a $100 restoration fee to the MVC to reinstate your license.

How the 12-month rolling window works

New Jersey counts points within a 12-month period, not a calendar year. This means the clock resets based on the date of each violation, not January 1st. If you received a speeding ticket on March 15, 2024, the MVC looks back 12 months from that date — to March 15, 2023 — and counts all points issued during that span. If your total reaches 6, suspension follows.

Points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation. Most moving violations remain for three years from the date of conviction. Some violations, like reckless driving, stay for five years. Even after points drop off your record, they still count toward suspension if the violation occurred within the 12-month window when you hit 6 points.

What violations typically add up to 6 points

Common violations that reach 6 points quickly include two speeding tickets (3 points each), one reckless driving charge (5 points) plus one minor violation (1 point), or three separate moving violations at 2 points each. Careless driving is 2 points. Failure to stop at a red light is 2 points. Improper passing is 2 points. A single serious violation like driving under the influence (DUI) is 12 points by itself, which exceeds the 6-point threshold when ready.

The point value depends on how much over the speed limit you were traveling. Driving 1 to 14 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points. Driving 15 to 29 miles per hour over is 4 points. Driving 30 miles per hour or more over the limit is 5 points. This is why two speeding tickets at different speeds can total 6 or 7 points rather than exactly 6.

The suspension notice and timeline

When you reach 6 points, the MVC does not suspend your license when ready. The commission processes suspensions in batches, typically every two weeks. You will receive a formal notice in the mail at the address registered with your license. The notice includes the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and instructions for requesting a hearing.

You have 10 days from the date on the notice to request a hearing before the Motor Vehicle Commission. This hearing gives you a chance to contest the points or present circumstances the MVC should consider. You must submit your request in writing to the address listed on the notice. Requesting a hearing does not automatically delay the suspension — you need to ask for a stay of suspension in your hearing request if you want to keep driving while your case is reviewed.

Driving during suspension and the consequences

Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in New Jersey, separate from the original violation that caused the suspension. A first offense for driving with a suspended license carries a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Your license suspension extends by an additional six months. A second offense within 10 years results in a fine of $1,000 to $2,000, up to 45 days in jail, or both, plus an additional one-year suspension.

Police can stop you for any traffic reason and will discover the suspension when they run your license. Even if you are not stopped, insurance companies can cancel your policy if they learn you drove while suspended. You will also be unable to renew your registration, and your vehicle can be impounded.

Reinstating your license after suspension ends

When your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically become valid again. You must pay a $100 restoration fee to the MVC and submit it along with the reinstatement form included in your suspension notice. You can pay online through the MVC website, by mail, or in person at an MVC office. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days after the MVC receives your payment.

If you do not pay the restoration fee within a certain timeframe, your license remains suspended. The exact important date is listed on your suspension notice. Some people miss this step and continue driving on a suspended license without realizing it, which creates the criminal liability described above.

Options if you want to challenge the points

You can request a hearing within 10 days of receiving your suspension notice. At the hearing, you can argue that the points were issued in error — for example, if you were convicted of a violation but believe the point value assigned was wrong, or if you paid a ticket but the conviction still appeared on your record. You can also present mitigating circumstances, though the MVC is not required to reduce points based on hardship.

If you were convicted of a violation in traffic court, you can also appeal that conviction to the Superior Court. This is a separate process from the MVC hearing and requires filing within 20 days of your traffic court conviction. An appeal does not stop the suspension from taking effect unless you specifically request a stay, which is rarely granted. Consult a traffic attorney if you believe the conviction itself was improper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a work license or hardship license during my suspension?

New Jersey does not issue work licenses or hardship licenses for point-based suspensions. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period. If your suspension is for DUI or refusal to take a breathalyzer test, you may be able to install an ignition interlock device and drive under restricted conditions, but this is a separate program and requires a court order.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my New Jersey suspension?

Yes. New Jersey counts points from violations in other states if you were convicted in those states. The MVC receives reports from other states through the National Driver Register. Points from out-of-state violations are converted to New Jersey point values and added to your record.

What happens if I get another violation while suspended?

Driving while suspended is a criminal offense, as described above. If you are stopped for another moving violation during your suspension, you will face charges for both the suspended license violation and the new traffic violation. The new violation will also add points to your record once your suspension ends, potentially triggering another suspension.

Can I remove points from my record before I hit 6?

New Jersey offers a defensive driving course that can reduce points. Completing an approved course removes up to 3 points from your record, but only if you have not taken the course in the past three years. You must take the course before your suspension takes effect. The course costs between $50 and $100 and can be completed online.

How long do points stay on my record after suspension?

Points remain on your record for three years from the date of conviction for most violations, or five years for serious violations like reckless driving. Even after points drop off your record, they still count toward suspension if the violation occurred within the 12-month window when you accumulated 6 points.