Depending on the type of New Jersey traffic ticket you received, you can generally pay your ticket fines online, by mail, by phone, or in person. You can also fight your ticket or ask the court to reduce your fine. Be sure to respond to your traffic ticket promptly, or you could face additional penalties, such as a license suspension.
FINES & PENALTIES
Traffic fines in New Jersey vary by court. If you do not pay on time, you will be charged additional late fees. Refer to your traffic ticket to determine your exact ticket amount, deadlines, and penalties.
New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) operates under a driving record point system. If you receive 12 or more points on your current driving record, your license is up for suspension.
Some major violations include:
- Reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol.
- Not carrying adequate car insurance.
POINTS FOR VARIOUS TRAFFIC TICKET VIOLATIONS
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1 to 14 MPH over the limit | 2 |
| Speeding 15 to 29 MPH over the limit | 4 |
| Speeding 30+ MPH over the limit | 5 |
| Failure to yield right of way to a pedestrian | 2 |
| Disregarding traffic signals | 2 |
| Driving the wrong way down a one-way street | 2 |
| Blocking traffic by driving at low speeds | 2 |
| Not stopping for a traffic light | 2 |
| Proceeding through stop or yield signs | 2 |
| Disobeying right or left turn laws | 3 |
| Illegal U-turn | 3 |
| Passing in a no-passing zone | 4 |
| Reckless driving | 5 |
| Any out-of-state moving violation | 2 |
SURCHARGES
Point-based surcharge
If you receive 6 or more points within 3 years then you will be subject to the following surcharges:
- 6 points will result in a $150/year surcharge for 3 years ($450 total)
- Each additional point will result in a $25/year surcharge for 3 years
Conviction-based surcharge
If you're convicted of any of the offenses below, you will be subject to the following surcharges:
- $100/year for unlicensed driver or driver with expired license ($300 total)
- $250/year for driving with a suspended license ($750 total)
- $250/year for operating an uninsured vehicle ($750 total)
- See full list of convictions that involve a surcharge here
MOVING VIOLATIONS
A moving violation occurs whenever a traffic law is violated by a vehicle in motion. Some examples of moving violations are speeding, running a stop sign or red light, and drunk driving. A non-moving violation, by contrast, is usually related to parking or faulty equipment.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOL
You can only be eligible for a 2-point reduction once every 5 years.
Some key points about defensive driving school:
- Reduce up to 2 points
- Potentially earn an insurance discount
- It takes 4 to 8 hours to complete a course
- You must pass a final exam
Here's a list of approved courses.
RESPONDING TO YOUR TICKET
There are two ways to respond to your traffic ticket:
- Paying the fine
- Requesting a contested hearing
Regardless of plea, it must be entered before the ticket's due date. In most cases, this will generally be about 30 days from the infraction date.
Pay the ticket
Paying a New Jersey traffic ticket is an admission of guilt.
This means:
- You are waiving your right to challenge the traffic ticket in court.
- Depending on your NJ driving record, the MVC may suspend your New Jersey driver's license.
- The traffic violation may cause an increase in your car insurance rates.
Requesting a contested hearing
If you want to plead “not guilty" to the violation, you can request a contested hearing at the relevant county court by checking the appropriate check box on your ticket and then mailing it in to the court. You can also contest it right on your phone by using the Off The Record app.
Only 5% of drivers contest their traffic tickets.
HIRING AN ATTORNEY
Fighting your traffic ticket can help you avoid fines, license suspension, and increased insurance premiums. A traffic ticket attorney is a major asset in that fight. Typically, you can expect an attorney to:
- Request a contested hearing
- Request discovery for your case
- Represent you in court
- Negotiate with the prosecutor to have your charges dropped or reduced