Six points is the threshold where New Jersey suspends your license
When you accumulate six points on your New Jersey driver's license, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will suspend your license. This is not a warning or a fine — your license becomes invalid, and you cannot legally drive. The suspension lasts for a set period depending on your driving history and the violations that caused the points.
Points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation. Most violations remain for three years from the date of conviction, though some serious violations stay longer. Even after points drop off your record, the suspension itself has already happened if you reached six points while they were active.
Understanding how points accumulate and what six points triggers is important because a suspension affects your ability to work, get to appointments, and handle daily life. Knowing the rules also helps you understand your options if you receive a ticket.
Key Takeaways
- Six points on your New Jersey license triggers an automatic suspension by the Motor Vehicle Commission.
- Points come from traffic violations — speeding, reckless driving, and other infractions each carry a set number of points.
- Most points stay on your record for three years from the conviction date, though serious violations may remain longer.
- You can request a hearing before the MVC if you believe the points were assigned in error or if you want to contest the suspension.
- Defensive driving courses can reduce points after conviction, but only for certain violations and only once every three years.
How points are assigned for different violations
The MVC assigns points based on the type and severity of the violation. A minor speeding ticket — say, 1 to 14 miles per hour over the limit — costs two points. Speeding 15 to 29 miles per hour over the limit costs four points. Reckless driving, which is a more serious charge, costs five points. Careless driving costs two points.
Other violations carry their own point values. Failure to yield costs two points. Improper passing costs four points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license costs eight points — this is one of the most serious violations and can push you over six points when ready. Leaving the scene of an accident costs eight points as well.
You can find the complete list of violations and their point values on the MVC website under "Point System." The key is that even one serious violation can put you close to six points, so a second violation shortly after can trigger the suspension.
When the suspension takes effect
The MVC does not suspend your license when ready after you receive a ticket. The suspension happens after you are convicted of the violation — either because you pleaded guilty, paid the fine, or lost in traffic court. Once the conviction is recorded in the MVC system, the points are added to your record.
If those points bring your total to six or more, the MVC sends you a notice of suspension by mail. This notice tells you the suspension date, which is usually 10 to 20 days after the notice is mailed. You have a window of time to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect, but you must act quickly — the important date is typically within 10 days of receiving the notice.
If you do not request a hearing, your license becomes suspended on the date stated in the notice. You will receive a separate letter confirming the suspension.
How long the suspension lasts
The length of a suspension depends on your driving record. If this is your first suspension, it typically lasts three months. If you have been suspended before, the length increases — a second suspension is usually six months, and a third or subsequent suspension can last one year or longer.
The MVC also considers whether you have other violations or suspensions on your record when calculating the length. A clean driving record before the six-point suspension results in a shorter suspension than if you already have violations.
You cannot drive during the suspension period, even with a restricted license. Once the suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the MVC and request your license be reinstated before you can legally drive again.
Requesting a hearing to contest the suspension
You have the right to request a hearing before the MVC if you believe the points were assigned incorrectly or if you want to present your case. The hearing is held before a hearing officer, not a judge, and you can represent yourself or bring an attorney.
To request a hearing, you must contact the MVC in writing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. Include your name, license number, and the reason you are contesting the suspension. Send the request to the address listed on the notice.
At the hearing, you can argue that the conviction was wrong, that the points were miscalculated, or that there are circumstances the MVC should consider. However, the hearing officer will not overturn a valid conviction — they can only review whether the points were applied correctly under New Jersey law. If you want to challenge the conviction itself, you would need to appeal through the traffic court system, not the MVC.
Reducing points through a defensive driving course
New Jersey allows you to reduce points on your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. If you complete the course, you can reduce up to three points from your record. This reduction happens only once every three years, so you cannot take multiple courses in quick succession to erase all your points.
The course must be approved by the MVC — not all driving schools offer approved courses, so you need to check the MVC website for a list of providers. 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 $50 and $100.
Important: you can only take a defensive driving course after you have been convicted of the violation. You cannot take it before going to court to prevent points from being added. Also, the course does not erase the violation from your record — it only reduces the points associated with it.
What happens if you drive during a suspension
Driving with a suspended license in New Jersey is a serious offense. If you are caught, you face additional charges, fines, and points added to your record. A first offense for driving with a suspended license costs eight points — which means you could when ready accumulate enough points for another suspension.
Fines for driving with a suspended license start at $500 and can go higher depending on the circumstances. You may also face jail time, community service, or both. Your vehicle can be impounded, and you will have to pay impound fees to get it back.
If you need to drive during a suspension for work or medical reasons, you can request a conditional license from the MVC. This is not automatic — you must show that the suspension causes undue hardship and that you have a legitimate need to drive. The MVC reviews these requests on a case-by-case basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back before the suspension period ends?
No, you must wait out the full suspension period. Once it ends, you can pay the reinstatement fee and request reinstatement, but you cannot shorten the suspension itself. A conditional license for work or medical reasons is the only exception, and it requires a separate request to the MVC.
Do points from old violations still count toward six points?
Yes, as long as the violations are still on your record. Most violations stay for three years from the conviction date. If you get a new violation before the three years are up, the old points and new points are added together. Once three years pass, the old violation drops off and no longer counts.
What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?
You can contest the ticket in traffic court by arguing that you were not driving. If you win, the conviction is dismissed and no points are added. However, you must prove this in court — straightforward telling the MVC will not remove the points. You may need to bring evidence or witnesses.
Does a defensive driving course remove a suspension that already happened?
No. A defensive driving course reduces points on your record, but only for future suspensions. If you are already suspended, the course does not shorten the suspension or prevent it from taking effect. You must complete the suspension period first.
Can I transfer my license to another state to avoid the suspension?
No. Other states have agreements with New Jersey to recognize suspensions. If your New Jersey license is suspended, you cannot straightforward get a license in another state and drive legally in New Jersey. You must resolve the suspension through the MVC.