The 6-Point System Is New Jersey's Way of Tracking Safe Driving
New Jersey uses a 6-point system to measure how safely you drive. When you get certain traffic violations, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) adds points to your driving record. Reach 6 points within three years, and your license gets suspended. The points stay on your record for different lengths of time depending on the violation — some fall off after three years, others after five or ten.
This system exists because the state wants to identify and remove dangerous drivers from the road before they cause serious harm. It is not about punishment for its own sake — it is a threshold. Once you hit 6 points, you lose your license. Below that, you keep driving, but your insurance company sees every point and raises your rates accordingly.
Key Takeaways
- Six points accumulated within three years triggers an automatic license suspension in New Jersey.
- Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket might be 2 points, while reckless driving is 5 points.
- Points remain on your record for three, five, or ten years depending on the violation type.
- Your insurance company can see your points and will raise your premiums even if you stay below 6 points.
- You can request a hearing before the MVC if you believe points were added in error or if you want to contest the suspension.
Common Violations and Their Point Values
Not all traffic violations carry the same point weight. Speeding 1 to 14 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points. Speeding 15 to 29 miles per hour over the limit is 4 points. Speeding 30 miles per hour or more over the limit is 5 points. Reckless driving is 5 points. Careless driving is 2 points. Failure to obey a traffic signal is 2 points. Improper passing is 4 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 8 points — which alone exceeds the 6-point threshold.
Some violations do not add points at all. Parking tickets, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and certain minor infractions do not appear on your driving record as points. You still have to pay the fine, but they do not count toward suspension.
The MVC publishes the full list of violations and their point values on its website. If you received a ticket and are unsure how many points it carries, you can look it up there or call the MVC directly.
How Points Stay on Your Record
Points do not disappear the moment you pay your fine. They remain on your New Jersey driving record for a set period based on the violation type. Most common violations — speeding, careless driving, failure to obey a signal — stay for three years from the date of conviction. More serious violations like reckless driving or driving under the influence stay for ten years.
The three-year clock starts when you are convicted, not when you are ticketed. If you contest a ticket in court and win, no points are added and the clock never starts. If you lose or plead guilty, the conviction date is when the timer begins.
Even after points fall off your record, your insurance company may still have a record of the violation. Insurance companies keep their own histories separate from the MVC's point system, and they may use older violations to set rates.
What Happens When You Reach 6 Points
Once the MVC determines you have accumulated 6 or more points within a three-year period, your license is suspended. The MVC sends you a notice by mail explaining the suspension date and length. The suspension period depends on how many points you have: 6 to 9 points results in a three-month suspension; 10 to 14 points results in a seven-month suspension; 15 or more points results in a one-year suspension.
During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. You also cannot renew your registration or obtain a new license until the suspension period ends.
After your suspension period ends, you must pay a $100 restoration fee to the MVC and provide proof of financial responsibility (usually an SR-22 form from your insurance company) before your license is restored. Some people also have to pass a written or road test again, depending on the reason for the suspension.
How to Request a Hearing Before Suspension
You have the right to request a hearing before the MVC suspends your license. The notice you receive in the mail will include instructions on how to request one. You typically have 10 days from the date of the notice to file your request.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the points were added in error, that the conviction was improper, or that there are circumstances the MVC should consider. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer. The hearing officer will review your record and decide whether the suspension should proceed, be delayed, or be reduced.
Requesting a hearing does not automatically stop the suspension — it straightforward gives you a chance to be heard before it takes effect. If you lose the hearing, the suspension goes forward as scheduled.
Insurance Rates and Points
Your insurance company does not wait for you to hit 6 points before raising your rates. Each point on your driving record signals increased risk to insurers, and they adjust your premiums accordingly. A single 2-point violation might raise your rate by 10 to 15 percent. A 5-point violation can raise it by 25 to 50 percent or more, depending on your insurer and your driving history.
Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness or safe driver discounts that can offset point-related increases, but these vary widely. After a certain period — usually three to five years — insurers may stop using the violation to calculate your rate, even though the points still appear on your MVC record.
If your rates spike after a violation, it is worth shopping around. Different insurers weight points differently, and you may find better rates elsewhere.
How to Reduce or Remove Points
New Jersey offers a defensive driving course that can reduce points on your record. If you complete an approved course, the MVC will reduce your point total by up to 3 points, but only once every three years. The course typically costs $20 to $50 and takes four to six hours. You can take it online or in person.
To be may be able to access, you must have a valid license and no suspensions. You cannot use the course to reduce points if you were driving under the influence or if you have already used the course within the past three years.
Completing the course does not erase the violation from your record — it just lowers the point total. Your insurance company will still see the violation, though some insurers offer a small discount if you complete a defensive driving course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my New Jersey suspension?
Yes. New Jersey is part of the Interstate Compact, which means violations from other states are reported to the MVC and added to your New Jersey record. An out-of-state speeding ticket carries the same points as a New Jersey speeding ticket would.
Can I get points removed early if I have a clean driving record?
No. Points remain on your record for the full time period set by law — three, five, or ten years depending on the violation. A clean record after the violation does not speed up removal. However, you can reduce up to 3 points by completing a defensive driving course once every three years.
What is the difference between points and a suspension?
Points are a measure of violations on your record. A suspension is the penalty that results when you accumulate too many points. You can have points without a suspension, but a suspension only happens when you reach 6 or more points within three years.
If I pay my ticket, do the points go away?
No. Paying the fine and having points added are two separate things. Paying the fine satisfies the financial penalty. The points remain on your record for three to ten years. The only way to avoid points is to contest the ticket in court and win, or to complete a defensive driving course after conviction to reduce them.
Can I drive during a license suspension if I get a work permit?
New Jersey does not issue work permits or hardship licenses during a suspension for accumulating too many points. You cannot legally drive for any reason during the suspension period, even for work or medical appointments.