NJ Point System, Suspensions, Out of State Tickets

[WhiteXFire]

PENALTIES AND FINES
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Violations/penalties.htm

Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you break traffic laws, your driving privileges could be suspended or revoked resulting in fines and even imprisonment. The seriousness of your violations - and resulting penalties - are tracked by MVC using a point system.

If you are convicted of a moving violation, MVC will penalize you by adding points to your driving record. You will only get points on your record for moving violations - points are not assessed for parking and other violations. A table is provided for more information on the number of points earned for specific violations.

NJSA Point Schedule
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Violation...ntSchedule.htm




How do points affect you?

• If you get six or more points within three years on your current driving record, you will be assessed a surcharge
• If you get 12 or more points on your current driving record, your license will be suspended. You will receive a notice of scheduled suspension by mail
• Getting points on your license may also increase your insurance rates. Contact your insurance agent for details

How can I get rid of points on my record?
Although MVC keeps a permanent record of all the points you've earned, it is possible to earn point deductions by remaining violation and suspension-free for one year or by taking qualified driving courses approved by MVC.

Note: Your insurance company might not factor these deductions into your insurance rate.

Deduction - Points - Restrictions
One year with no violations or suspensions, -3 (Year begins on posted date of violation).
Defensive Driving Program, -2 (May be used to subtract points once every five years).
Driver Improvement Program, -3 (May be used to subtract points once every two years).
Probationary Driver Program, -3

[WhiteXFire]

SURCHARGES
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Violations/Surcharges.htm

Surcharges are fines assessed by MVC on an annual basis for drivers who have earned excessive points or committed a specific violation such as DUI. Surcharges are in addition to any court fines/penalties. If you have received a notice in the mail or discovered there is a lien on your property because of a surcharge, please call (609) 292-7500 for more information.

How to pay your surcharges
There are several ways of paying your surchage:

• Go to www.njsurcharge.com
• Visit an MVC Regional Center
• Call toll free at (888) 651-9999 to charge by credit card
• Send a check or money order payable to:
  New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
  NJ-AISC
  P.O. Box 4850
  Trenton, NJ 08650

Why do you get surcharges?
Your record is reviewed every time points are added to it. If you accumulate six or more points within three years from your last posted violation, you will receive a $150 surcharge plus $25 for each additional point.

Additional surcharges may also apply:

• $100 for driving without a license
• $250 for driving with a suspended license
• $100 for failure to insure a moped
• $250 for operating an uninsured vehicle
• $1,000 for DUI, 3 years
• $1,000 for Refusal to take breathalyzer test, 3 years

If you do not pay your surcharges, MVC will suspend your driving privileges indefinitely and take action in the State Superior Court. This may include securing a lien against your property, garnishing your wages or other similar actions.

If you have surcharges that result from unpaid tickets or other unresolved legal issues, you will need to contact the court that is responsible for your case. For help determining which court you need to contact, call MVC Violations at (609) 292-7500.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUSPENSIONS
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Violations/suspension.htm

If your driving privileges have been suspended, you will need to pay a Restoration Fee of $100. If the judge did not take your license in court, you must surrender it at any Regional Service Center or mail to:

Motor Vehicle Commission
Driver Management Bureau
P.O. Box 134
Trenton, New Jersey 08650

• Do not drive until you restore your license and receive a written notice of restoration
• If you continue to drive while your license is suspended, you could face up to five years in jail
• For further assistance, call MVC at (609) 292-7500

Possible reasons your license can be suspended

• If you receive 12 or more points on your current driver record
• Failure to appear in court or to pay fines
• Failure to pay surcharges
• Driving with a suspended license
• Failure to provide proof of insurance
• Physical or mental disqualification
• Drug or alcohol use while driving
• Reckless driving
• Vehicle abandonment on a public highway
• Fault in a fatal accident

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESTORING YOUR LICENSE
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Violation..._restoring.htm

Once you have completed your suspension period, you will receive a Notice of Restoration in the mail and need to take the following steps to get a new license:

• Visit any MVC Agency and pay the $100 restoration fee, pay online, call toll free (888) 651- 9999 to charge by credit card or send a check or money order payable to:

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
P.O. Box 140
Trenton, NJ 08650-0140

Mandatory probation period
After your license is restored, a mandatory one year probation applies following:

• Probationary Driver Program completion
• Driver Improvement Program completion
• An official warning issued by MVC, or
• Restoration after points or persistent violator suspension

Any traffic violation during that year can result in a repeat suspension of your driving privileges.

Violation - Suspension
For the first violation within a year
Within 6 months of restoration, 90 days
Within 7–9 months, 60 days
Within 10–12 months, 45 days

For second or subsequent violations*
Within 6 months of restoration, 180 days
Within 7–9 months, 120 days
Within 10–12 months, 90 days

*If you receive three license suspensions within a three-year period may lose your license for up to three years.

[WhiteXFire]

DRIVERS WITH NJ LICENSE TICKETED OUTSIDE OF NJ
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Violation...therStates.htm

Even though you are a New Jersey driver, you can still acquire points and penalties for violations committed in other states. New Jersey is a member of two compacts that enforce this policy.

The Driver License Compact

• Consists of 45 states and the District of Columbia. States not included are Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin
• Members in this compact exchange all violation information. Out-of-state moving violations are worth two points. For example, if you receive a speeding ticket in Florida, you will get two points on your New Jersey driving record for that violation

The Nonresident Violator Compact

• Consists of 44 states and the District of Columbia. States not included are Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon and Wisconsin
• Assures nonresident motorists the same rights and privileges as residents
• Nonresident drivers have due process protection and cannot be detained out-of-state
• Requires drivers to fulfill the terms of traffic citations received in member states or face the possibility of license suspension in their home state
• Does not apply to parking or standing violations, highway weight limit violations and violations of Hazmat transportation laws