The Assessment of Points to Your New Jersey Driving Record
In New Jersey, points are added to your driving record when you are convicted of or plead guilty to a moving violation. The accumulation of points on your driving record can lead to surcharges, higher insurance premiums, and the loss of your driving privileges.
New Jersey allows for motor vehicle offenses to be downgraded after negotiations with municipal court prosecutors. By pleading guilty to a lesser offense, the number of points assessed to your driving record will likely be reduced. We will negotiate with municipal court prosecutors to have a motor vehicle infraction downgraded on the client's behalf. The law firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Mitterhoff, Grabas & Woodruff represents clients throughout Union and Morris County with traffic related offenses.
How Many Points Can I Acquire Before I Lose My License?
If you accumulate 12 points on your driving record, your driving privileges will be suspended. Once you accrue 6 points on your driving record, you are subject to heavy surcharges or fines. Moreover, every point assessed after the 6 will lead to additional surcharges being levied against you.
Can I Receive Points for an Out-of-State Ticket?
Yes. If you receive a traffic ticket in another state, New Jersey will add 2 points to your driving record regardless of what type of offense occurred in the other state.
Can Points Be Deducted from my New Jersey Driving Record?
Yes. There are a few ways to earn point deductions:
- If you do not commit a violation or receive a suspension for a period of 12 consecutive months, 3 points will automatically be subtracted from your driving record by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
- If you complete a MVC Driver Improvement Program, 3 points will be subtracted from your driving record. This program may be used every 2 years. It is available to persons who have accumulated 12 to 14 points in more than 2 years and wish to avoid the suspension of their driving privileges. The program may also be required by the Court as a condition to having one's driving privileges reinstated. Upon receiving a Notice of Scheduled Suspension, you will receive information on how to enroll in this program.
- If you complete a Defensive Driving Program, 2 points will be subtracted from your driving record. This program may be used every 5 years and is completely voluntary. To enroll in a MVC approved Defensive Driver Program, visit: www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/Defensive.htm
- If you complete a Probationary Driver Program, 3 points will be deducted from your driving record. This program is required if, while licensed on a probationary basis, a person is convicted of two or more motor vehicle offenses totaling 4 or more points. Failure to complete the program will result in a suspension of your driving privileges.
How Many Points Will I Receive for Careless Driving in New Jersey?
A careless driving ticket can result in 2 points being assessed to your driving record. Please refer to the chart below for the points associated with other motor vehicle offenses.
| N.J.S.A. - SECTION | POINTS |
| 27:23-29 Moving against traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or Atlantic City Expressway | 2 |
| 27:23-29 Improper passing on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or Atlantic City Expressway | 4 |
| 27:23-29 Unlawful use of median strip on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or Atlantic City Expressway | 2 |
| 39:3-20 Operating a constructor vehicle in excess of 45 mph | 3 |
| 39:4-14.3 Operating a motorized bicycle on a restricted highway | 2 |
| 39:4-14.3d More than one person on a motorized bicycle | 2 |
| 39:4-35 Failure to yield to a pedestrian in crosswalk | 2 |
| 39:4-36 Failure to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk; passing a vehicle yielding to pedestrian in crosswalk | 2 |
| 39:4-41 Driving through a safety zone | 2 |
| 39:4-52 and 39:5C-1 Racing on highway | 5 |
| 39:4-55 Improper action or omission on grades and curves | 2 |
| 39:4-57 Failure to observe direction of officer | 2 |
| 39:4-66 Failure to stop vehicle before crossing sidewalk | 2 |
| 39:4-66.1 Failure to yield to pedestrians or vehicles while entering or leaving highway | 2 |
| 39:4-66.2 Driving on public or private property to avoid a traffic sign or signal | 2 |
| 39:4-71 Operating a motor vehicle on a sidewalk | 2 |
| 39:4-80 Failure to obey direction of officer | 2 |
| 39:4-81 Failure to observe traffic signals | 2 |
| 39:4-82 Failure to keep right | 2 |
| 39:4-82.1 Improper passing of vehicle on divided highway or divider | 2 |
| 39:4-83 Failure to keep right at intersection | 2 |
| 39:4-84 Failure to pass to right of vehicle proceeding in opposite direction | 5 |
| 39:4-85 Improper passing on right or off roadway | 4 |
| 39:4-85.1 Wrong way on a one-way street | 2 |
| 39:4-86 Improper passing in no passing zone | 4 |
| 39:4-87 Failure to yield to overtaking vehicle | 2 |
| 39:4-88 Failure to observe traffic lanes | 2 |
| 39:4-89 Tailgating | 2 |
| 39:4-90 Failure to yield at intersection | 5 |
| 39:4-90.1 Failure to use proper entrances to limited access highways | 2 |
| 39:4-91 and 39:4-92 Failure to yield to emergency vehicles | 2 |
| 39:4-96 Reckless driving | 5 |
| 39:4-97 Careless driving | 2 |
| 39:4-97a Destruction of agricultural or recreational property | 2 |
| 39:4-97.1 Slow speed blocking traffic | 2 |
| 39:4-98 Exceeding maximum: speed 1-14 mph over limit | 2 |
| 39:4-99 Exceeding maximum: speed 15-29 mph over limit | 4 |
| 39:4-99 Exceeding maximum: speed 30 mph or more over limit | 5 |
| 39:4-105 Failure to stop for traffic light | 2 |
| 39:4-115 Improper turn at traffic light | 3 |
| 39:4-119 Failure to stop at flashing red signal | 2 |
| 39:4-122 Failure to stop for a police whistle | 2 |
| 39:4-123 Improper right or left turn | 3 |
| 39:4-124 Improper turn from approved turning course | 3 |
| 39:4-125 Improper "U" turn | 3 |
| 39:4-126 Failure to give proper signal | 2 |
| 39:4-127 Improper backing or turning in street | 2 |
| 39:4-127.1 Improper crossing of a railroad grade crossing | 2 |
| 39:4-127.2 Improper crossing of a bridge | 2 |
| 39:4-128 Improper crossing of a railroad grade crossing by certain vehicles | 2 |
| 39:4-128.1 Improper passing of school bus | 5 |
| 39:4-128.4 Improper passing of frozen dessert truck | 4 |
| 39:4-129 Leaving the scene of an accident, No personal injury | 2 |
| 39:4-129 Leaving the scene of an accident, Personal injury | 8 |
| 39:4-144 Failure to observe "stop" or "yield" signs | 2 |
| 39:5D-4 Moving violation out of state | 2 |
I Wish to Contest My Traffic Ticket, What Can I Do?
Discuss your case with a New Jersey lawyer. If you have received a New Jersey traffic ticket, we may be able to help you. Our defense lawyers are experienced in handling motor vehicle infractions. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Free Consultations Available - New Jersey Traffic Ticket Lawyers
You can reach us 24 hours a day. Call (908) 322-7000.
