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 assigns points to traffic violations. When your total reaches 6 points, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) automatically suspends your license. The suspension is not optional — it is a mandatory consequence of the point threshold. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, and driving with a suspended license carries serious penalties including fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
The timeframe that triggers the suspension depends on your driving history. If you accumulate 6 points within three years, you face a three-month suspension. If you accumulate 12 points within three years, the suspension extends to six months. If you accumulate 12 points within two years, the suspension is one year. The MVC counts points from the date of the violation, not the date you were convicted or paid the fine.
Key Takeaways
- Six points on your New Jersey driving record triggers an automatic three-month license suspension with no option to avoid it.
- Common violations that add 6 points include reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and leaving the scene of an accident.
- Points stay on your record for three years from the violation date, so older violations eventually stop counting toward suspension.
- You can request a hearing with the MVC before the suspension takes effect, but the hearing does not erase points already assigned.
- Once suspended, you must wait out the full suspension period and then request license restoration from the MVC before you can drive again.
Which violations put you at 6 points
Not all traffic tickets add the same number of points. A speeding ticket might add 2 to 5 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. A reckless driving conviction adds 5 points. Leaving the scene of an accident adds 5 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license adds 6 points by itself — meaning a single violation can trigger the suspension threshold when ready.
Other violations that carry high point values include driving under the influence (DUI), which adds 12 points; careless driving, which adds 2 to 4 points; and failure to yield, which adds 2 to 4 points. The MVC publishes a full point schedule on its website. If you received a ticket, the ticket itself should show the point value the court assigned.
Points are assigned by the court that handles your case, not by the MVC. If you contest a ticket and the court dismisses the charge, no points are added. If you are convicted or plead guilty, the court reports the conviction to the MVC, and the MVC adds the points to your record.
How the three-year point window works
New Jersey does not erase points after a set time — instead, it stops counting them. Points remain on your record permanently, but only violations within the past three years count toward the suspension threshold. This means if you have 4 points from a violation four years ago and you receive a 3-point violation today, your active point total is 3, not 7.
The three-year window is measured from the violation date, not the conviction date or the date you paid the fine. If you were pulled over on January 15, 2021, that violation stops counting on January 15, 2024, regardless of when you went to court or settled the ticket. You can check your current point total by requesting your driving record from the MVC or by logging into your MVC account online.
What happens when you reach 6 points
The MVC sends you a notice of suspension by mail. The notice includes the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and information about requesting a hearing. You have the right to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect, but the hearing does not remove points or prevent the suspension — it gives you a chance to present evidence that the points were assigned in error or that there are circumstances the MVC should consider.
If you do not request a hearing, or if you request one and the MVC upholds the suspension, your license is suspended on the date stated in the notice. Driving during the suspension is a criminal offense in New Jersey. You can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which carries fines of $200 to $500 for a first offense, up to 10 days in jail, and a license suspension extension of at least one year.
Requesting a hearing before suspension
You must request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the MVC's suspension notice. You can request a hearing by mail, phone, or online through the MVC website. The hearing is conducted by an MVC official, not a judge. You can present documents, witness statements, or other evidence that the points were assigned incorrectly or that circumstances warrant reconsideration.
Common reasons people request hearings include clerical errors in the MVC's records, evidence that a conviction was later overturned, or proof that a ticket was dismissed. The hearing official will review your case and issue a decision. If the official finds an error, the points may be removed and the suspension cancelled. If the official upholds the suspension, you can appeal to the Superior Court, though this is rare and requires an attorney.
Getting your license back after suspension
You cannot drive during the suspension period, even with a restricted or conditional license. After the suspension period ends, you must request license restoration from the MVC. You cannot straightforward start driving again — the MVC must formally restore your license before it is valid.
To request restoration, contact the MVC by phone, mail, or online. You will need to provide your driver's license number and proof of identity. There is no fee for restoration. The MVC typically processes restoration requests within a few business days. Once your license is restored, the points remain on your record but stop counting toward future suspensions after three years from the violation date.
How a 6-point suspension affects insurance
Insurance companies view a license suspension as a serious violation of traffic law. After a suspension, your auto insurance rates will increase significantly — often by 50 percent or more, depending on your insurer and your driving history. Some insurers may cancel your policy rather than renew it, forcing you to find coverage in the high-risk market, where rates are substantially higher.
You are required by law to maintain continuous auto insurance in New Jersey. If your policy is cancelled during your suspension, you must obtain new coverage before your license is restored. Driving without insurance is illegal and can result in additional fines and license suspension. After a suspension, expect to pay higher premiums for at least three to five years, even after the suspension period ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work or school during a 6-point suspension?
No. New Jersey does not issue restricted licenses that allow driving for essential purposes during a suspension. A suspension means you cannot drive for any reason. Driving during suspension is a criminal offense, even if you are driving to work or a medical appointment.
What if I get another ticket while suspended?
Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal charge that carries fines of $200 to $500 and up to 10 days in jail on a first offense. The court will also extend your suspension by at least one year. A second or subsequent offense carries higher fines and possible jail time.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward the 6-point threshold?
Yes. New Jersey counts violations from other states through the Interstate Compact agreement. If you received a ticket in another state, that violation may be reported to New Jersey and added to your driving record, counting toward the suspension threshold.
How long do points stay on my record after the suspension ends?
Points remain on your record permanently, but they stop counting toward future suspensions three years after the violation date. After three years, the points no longer affect your driving record for suspension purposes, though they may still be visible on your record history.
Can I get points removed from my record?
Points cannot be removed except through a court order overturning the conviction or a hearing officer finding an error in the MVC's records. You cannot pay to remove points or take a defensive driving course to erase them. New Jersey does not offer point reduction programs.