A 6-point license suspension in New Jersey means your driving privileges are revoked for a set period, usually three months, because you accumulated 6 or more points on your driving record within a specific timeframe.
New Jersey's point system tracks traffic violations. When you get a ticket for speeding, reckless driving, or other violations, the court assigns points to your record. Reach 6 points and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) automatically suspends your license. The suspension length depends on how quickly you accumulated those points and whether you've had suspensions before.
The state uses points to identify unsafe drivers and remove them from the road temporarily. A suspension is not a permanent loss of your license — it's a pause. Once your suspension period ends and you meet reinstatement requirements, you can drive again.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey suspends your license automatically when you reach 6 points within a certain period; you do not have to wait for a hearing.
- A first 6-point suspension typically lasts three months, but the length increases if you accumulate points again within a set timeframe.
- You must pay a $100 reinstatement fee and provide proof of insurance before the MVC will restore your license after suspension ends.
- Driving while suspended is a separate criminal offense in New Jersey and carries fines, jail time, and additional license suspension.
- Points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation, ranging from three to ten years.
How New Jersey's Point System Works
Every traffic violation in New Jersey carries a point value. Minor infractions like unsafe lane changes cost 2 points. Speeding 1–14 mph over the limit is 2 points; speeding 15–29 mph over is 4 points. Reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving with a suspended license are among the most serious and carry 4 to 8 points each.
The MVC tracks these points from the date each violation occurred. If you accumulate 6 points within three years, your license is suspended. If you accumulate 12 points within ten years, your license is suspended. The timeframe matters because older violations eventually drop off your record and stop counting toward suspension.
You do not receive a warning before suspension. The MVC sends you a notice in the mail after the suspension takes effect. This notice tells you the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and what you must do to get your license back.
Suspension Length and Repeat Suspensions
A first suspension for reaching 6 points typically lasts three months. If you accumulate 6 more points within five years of your first suspension, a second suspension lasts eight months. A third suspension within five years lasts ten months. Each additional suspension within that five-year window adds time.
The clock resets five years after your first suspension. If you stay clean for five years and then accumulate 6 points again, you start over at a three-month suspension. However, if you accumulate points before five years have passed, the suspension length jumps to the next tier.
Suspensions for reaching 12 points within ten years are separate from the 6-point rule and typically last seven months for a first offense. These suspensions follow their own escalation schedule if you accumulate 12 points again within ten years.
What You Must Do Before Driving Again
When your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically come back. You must take two steps before you can legally drive. First, you must pay a $100 reinstatement fee to the MVC. Second, you must provide proof of insurance — specifically, a New Jersey auto insurance policy that covers you as the driver.
The proof of insurance is critical. New Jersey requires all drivers to carry liability coverage. If you do not have an active policy, you cannot reinstate your license. If you were uninsured when you were suspended, you will also need to file an SR-22 form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility that tells the state you now have insurance.
You can pay the reinstatement fee and submit your proof of insurance by mail, in person at an MVC office, or online through the MVC website. Processing usually takes one to two weeks after the MVC receives your documents. Do not drive until you receive written confirmation that your license has been reinstated.
Driving While Suspended Is a Separate Crime
Operating a vehicle while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in New Jersey, separate from the original violation that caused the suspension. A first offense is a disorderly persons offense, which carries a fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within ten years is a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
If you are caught driving while suspended, the court will also extend your suspension. A first offense typically adds one to two years to your suspension. A second offense can add three to ten years. These extensions stack on top of your original suspension, so a three-month suspension can become a multi-year one if you drive during it.
Police can stop you for any traffic violation and run your license. If your license is suspended, you will be arrested on the spot. Your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face towing and storage fees in addition to criminal charges.
How Long Points Stay on Your Record
Points do not disappear when ready after your suspension ends. New Jersey keeps points on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation. Most moving violations stay for three years from the date of the violation. More serious violations like reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, or driving under the influence stay for seven to ten years.
Even after points drop off your record, they still count toward suspension if they were on your record when you reached 6 or 12 points. Once they expire, they no longer count toward future suspensions, but they remain part of your driving history for insurance purposes. Insurance companies can see violations that are no longer on the MVC point system.
You can check your driving record through the MVC website or by visiting an MVC office. Your record shows all violations, the points assigned, and the date each violation will drop off. Knowing this timeline helps you understand when you are at risk of suspension.
Insurance After a Suspension
Getting insurance after a license suspension is harder and more expensive than before. Insurers see a suspension as a sign of high risk. Many standard insurance companies will not insure you. You will likely need to buy a policy from a high-risk or non-standard insurer, which charges significantly higher premiums.
Some insurers will not cover you at all until your suspension is fully over and your license is reinstated. Others will insure you during the suspension but at a much higher rate. When you explore for insurance, be honest about your suspension — lying on an insurance process can void your policy and result in criminal charges.
The cost of high-risk insurance varies by insurer and by the reason for your suspension. A suspension from speeding will cost less than one from reckless driving or a DUI. You may need to shop multiple insurers to find one willing to cover you and at a price you can afford.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work or school during my suspension?
No. New Jersey does not issue hardship licenses or work permits for suspensions caused by point accumulation. You cannot drive for any reason during your suspension, even if you have a job that requires it. You must use public transportation, carpools, or other means until your suspension ends and your license is reinstated.
What if I get another ticket while suspended?
If you are stopped and cited for a traffic violation while your license is suspended, you face charges for driving with a suspended license in addition to the new violation. The new violation will add more points to your record once your suspension ends, which could trigger another suspension when ready after reinstatement.
Does a 6-point suspension affect my insurance rates?
Yes. A suspension appears on your driving record and insurers will see it. Your rates will increase significantly, and you may be placed in a high-risk category. Some insurers will not renew your policy at all. The rate increase typically lasts three to five years, even after the suspension ends.
Can I get my points reduced or removed?
New Jersey does not allow point reduction through traffic school or defensive driving courses. However, you can contest a ticket in court. If you win the case, the violation is dismissed and no points are assigned. If you lose, the points stand. Contesting a ticket does not reduce points you already have.
What happens if I move out of New Jersey during my suspension?
Your New Jersey suspension remains in effect. If you move to another state, that state may recognize your New Jersey suspension and refuse to issue you a license until it ends. When you return to New Jersey, you still must complete the suspension and pay the reinstatement fee before you can drive again.