New Jersey traffic tickets.
New Jersey is the most negotiable state in this region. The no points deal is real, and it is deliberately expensive.
How it works in New Jersey.
Traffic matters are heard in Municipal Court, one in nearly every town, with the Motor Vehicle Commission handling points, suspension and surcharges administratively. Twelve or more points on your current record suspends you.
Points do not expire on a clock, they are reduced: three points are removed for each year free of violations and suspensions, counted from the date of your most recent violation, not the conviction date.
6 or more points in 3 years
$150, plus $25 for every point above six, billed annually for three years
Driving uninsured or on a suspended licence
$250 a year for three years
A first or second DUI
$1,000 a year for three years
The no points deal is real, and it costs $250.
The classic New Jersey outcome is unsafe driving under 39:4-97.2. A first or second conviction within five years carries zero motor vehicle points, but the court must impose a $250 surcharge on top of the fine.
It is a genuine escape from points, and it is priced accordingly. Take it twice and the third one inside five years does generate points, so the second one leaves you with no cushion.
Common violations and what they carry.
Speeding, 1 to 14 mph over
Moving violation
The bottom band of the speeding schedule.
Speeding, 15 to 29 mph over
Moving violation
Double the points of the band below it.
Speeding, 30 mph or more over
Moving violation
The top speeding band, carrying the same five points as reckless driving.
Traffic signal, stop or yield sign
Moving violation
Failure to observe a traffic signal, and failure to observe a stop or yield sign, are two points each.
Careless driving
N.J.S.A. 39:4-97
Two points. Unsafe driving under 39:4-97.2 is the usual negotiated landing spot in this region.
Red light camera violations
Camera notice
No motor vehicle points at all.
Tailgating
Moving violation
Five points, the same as the top speeding band.
Reckless driving
Moving violation
Five points.
What actually helps here.
Three MVC programmes, each with its own clock
Defensive Driving removes 2 points, once every five years.
Driver Improvement removes 3 points, once every two years.
The Probationary Driver Program removes 3 points, once only.
Which one is open to you depends on when you last used any of them.
Unsafe driving under 39:4-97.2
A first or second conviction within five years carries zero motor vehicle points, with a mandatory $250 surcharge the court must impose on top of the fine.
It is the most negotiable outcome in this region. The third one inside five years does generate points.
The court date printed on the ticket
If the court appearance required box is unticked and the offence is on the violations bureau schedule, you can simply pay. Paying is a guilty plea.
Partially, through a plea by mail
A plea by mail under Rule 7:12-3 resolves the case with nobody appearing, but it is closed where identity is in issue, in injury accidents, and where a mandatory suspension applies.
Read this first.
How it works
You send us the ticket. That is your entire job. Four steps and a flat fee in writing.
What we fight
Speeding, red light, cell phone, reckless driving, suspended licence and CDL tickets.
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Free review, no obligation, and a straight answer about whether fighting it is worth your money.
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Free review, no obligation, and a straight answer about whether fighting it is worth your money. Representation in New Jersey is provided by an attorney licensed in New Jersey.