What happens to your license when you get points
New Jersey tracks violations on your driving record using a points system. Each traffic violation carries a set number of points — a speeding ticket might be 2 points, while reckless driving is 5. The points accumulate on your record, and when you reach a certain threshold, the state suspends your license.
The threshold depends on your age. If you are 21 or older, your license is suspended when you reach 12 points within three years. If you are under 21, suspension happens at 6 points within three years. The suspension is automatic — you do not have to do anything to trigger it. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will mail you a notice.
Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the fine. After three years, they drop off and no longer count toward suspension.
Key Takeaways
- Reaching 12 points within three years results in license suspension for drivers 21 and older; drivers under 21 are suspended at 6 points.
- Each violation type carries a specific point value set by New Jersey law, ranging from 2 to 8 points depending on the offense.
- Points remain on your record for three years from the violation date, then automatically drop off.
- You can request a hearing before the MVC if you believe a violation was issued in error, but you must do so within a set timeframe.
- Some violations, like parking tickets, do not add points to your driving record.
Common violations and their point values in New Jersey
Not every traffic violation carries the same number of points. The MVC assigns points based on how serious the offense is. Speeding violations range from 2 to 5 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Going 1 to 14 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points; 15 to 29 miles per hour over is 4 points; 30 miles per hour or more over is 5 points.
Reckless driving is 5 points. Careless driving is 2 points. Unsafe lane changes are 2 points. Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign is 2 points. Improper passing is 4 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 8 points — the highest penalty.
Some violations do not add points at all. Parking tickets, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and certain non-moving violations stay off your driving record. You can find the complete point schedule on the MVC website or ask the officer or court clerk when you receive a ticket.
How to check your current points
You can view your driving record through the New Jersey MVC. The easiest way is to visit the MVC website and use their online driving record request system. You will need your driver license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The MVC will show you every violation on your record and the points assigned to each one.
You can also request a copy of your record by mail or in person at an MVC office. If you request it by mail, send a written request with your name, address, driver license number, and Social Security number to the MVC address listed on their website. Processing takes about two weeks.
Checking your record is free and does not affect your license status. It is a good idea to check it once a year to make sure the information is correct and to see how close you are to the suspension threshold.
What happens when you reach the suspension threshold
When you accumulate enough points to trigger suspension, the MVC mails you a notice. The notice tells you the suspension date and how long it will last. For drivers 21 and older, a first suspension is typically three months. A second suspension within five years is usually six months. A third suspension within five years can be up to ten months.
The suspension date is usually 30 days after the notice is mailed, giving you time to arrange transportation. During the suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in New Jersey and carries fines, jail time, and additional points on your record.
You do not have the option to keep driving during the suspension period. There is no hardship license or work permit available in New Jersey for point-based suspensions, though limited exceptions exist for certain medical or employment situations — you would need to contact the MVC directly to ask about your specific circumstances.
How to contest a violation or request a hearing
If you believe a violation was issued in error, you have the right to request a hearing before the MVC. You must submit your request within 20 days of receiving the ticket or citation. The request goes to the court that issued the ticket, not directly to the MVC.
At the hearing, you can present your side of what happened. You can bring evidence, witnesses, or documents that support your case. The judge or hearing officer will decide whether the violation stands or is dismissed. If the violation is dismissed, the points are removed from your record.
If you miss the 20-day window to request a hearing, you can still try to have the violation dismissed by paying a fine and then requesting a court review, but this is more difficult and the rules vary by court. It is best to act quickly if you want to contest a ticket.
Reducing points through a defensive driving course
New Jersey allows you to reduce points on your record by taking a state-approved defensive driving course. You can remove up to 3 points from your record once every three years by completing the course. The course must be approved by the MVC — not all driving schools offer approved courses, so you need to check the MVC list first.
The course is typically four to six hours long and can be taken in person or online, depending on the provider. You pay a fee to the course provider, which varies but is usually between $30 and $60. After you complete the course, the provider sends a certificate to the MVC, and the points are reduced within a few weeks.
You can only use this option once every three years, and it only works if you have not had another violation during the course. If you get a new ticket before the points are reduced, you cannot use the course to reduce the new violation. The course is most useful if you have a few points and want to stay below the suspension threshold.
Reinstating your license after suspension
When your suspension period ends, your license is not automatically reinstated. You must request reinstatement from the MVC. You can do this online through the MVC website, by mail, or in person at an MVC office.
To reinstate your license, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee. The fee varies depending on the reason for suspension, but for point-based suspensions it is typically around $100. You will also need to provide proof that you have completed any required steps — for example, if your suspension included a requirement to take a defensive driving course, you must show proof of completion.
After you submit your reinstatement request and fee, the MVC processes it and mails you a new license or a notice that your license has been reinstated. This usually takes one to two weeks. Until you receive confirmation, you should not drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my New Jersey suspension?
Yes. New Jersey participates in the Driver License Compact, which shares violation information between states. A violation you received in another state will appear on your New Jersey record and count toward the 12-point suspension threshold if you are 21 or older.
Can I get points removed from my record before three years?
Points automatically drop off after three years, but you can reduce them sooner by taking a defensive driving course, which removes up to 3 points. You can use this option once every three years. Contesting a violation in court and having it dismissed also removes the points when ready.
What is the difference between points and fines?
A fine is money you pay to the court for the violation. Points are a separate penalty that accumulates on your driving record. You can have a violation with a high fine but low points, or vice versa. Both the fine and the points are imposed when you are found guilty or plead guilty.
If I move out of New Jersey, do the points follow me?
If you get a New Jersey license in another state, your New Jersey record stays with New Jersey. However, if you surrender your New Jersey license and get a license in the new state, that state will request your driving history from New Jersey. The violations will be reported, and depending on that state's laws, they may affect your new license.
How long does a suspension last if I keep getting violations?
A first suspension is typically three months. A second suspension within five years is usually six months. A third or subsequent suspension within five years can be up to ten months. Each time you are suspended and then reinstated, the clock resets, so the timeframe depends on when your previous suspensions occurred.