Got a ticket in New Jersey and want to know what it actually does to your license? Use the free calculator below. Pick your violation (or add several), and we’ll show you the MVC points, whether you’re near the 12-point suspension line, and a plain-English estimate of the surcharges the state can bill you. Every point value comes straight from the official New Jersey MVC point schedule.
NJ Traffic Points & Surcharge Calculator
What will your ticket really cost your license?
No violations added yet — pick one above to see your points and surcharge estimate.
Estimate only — not legal advice. Your actual points and surcharges depend on your full driving record and the court’s final disposition; a downgrade or dismissal can mean zero points. Point values from the official NJ MVC point schedule. Surcharge rules: 6+ points within 3 years = $150 + $25 per point over 6, billed annually for 3 years (NJ MVC surcharges).
How New Jersey license points work
New Jersey assigns points to most moving violations. The points post to your driving record when you’re convicted — which includes simply paying the ticket, because paying is pleading guilty. Two thresholds matter:
- 6 points within three years of your last violation triggers a surcharge: $150, plus $25 for each point over six, billed every year for three years — separate from your fine.
- 12 points on your active record triggers a license suspension.
Points don’t fall off on a fixed timer. You can subtract 3 points for one year without a violation or suspension, and 2 more points for completing an approved defensive-driving or driver-improvement course — but the conviction itself stays on your history. That’s why the cheapest-looking option (mailing in the payment) is often the most expensive one: a downgrade to a no-point violation can keep your record clean and your insurance flat.
NJ point schedule — common violations
| Violation | Statute | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1–14 mph over | 39:4-98 | 2 |
| Speeding 15–29 mph over | 39:4-98 | 4 |
| Speeding 30+ mph over | 39:4-98 | 5 |
| Careless driving | 39:4-97 | 2 |
| Reckless driving | 39:4-96 | 5 |
| Tailgating (following too closely) | 39:4-89 | 5 |
| Failure to observe traffic signal | 39:4-81 | 2 |
| Failure to observe stop / yield sign | 39:4-144 | 2 |
| Improper passing | 39:4-85 | 4 |
| Improper passing in no-passing zone | 39:4-86 | 4 |
| Improper passing of a school bus | 39:4-128.1 | 5 |
| Improper turn at traffic light | 39:4-115 | 3 |
| Improper right / left turn | 39:4-123 | 3 |
| Racing on a highway | 39:4-52 | 5 |
| Leaving accident scene — no injury | 39:4-129 | 2 |
| Leaving accident scene — injury | 39:4-129 | 8 |
Source: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission — Point Schedule. DUI/DWI is not a point offense in NJ but carries its own license suspension and separate surcharges of $1,000/year for three years (first and second offense).
Got points coming? Talk to a lawyer first.
If a ticket would put points on your license — especially if you’re already carrying some — it’s worth a free phone call before you decide to just pay it. Goldman Law Firm handles New Jersey traffic and municipal-court tickets every day, and the goal is almost always the same: keep the points off your record and the surcharge off your bill. Call or text 908-692-7745 for a free review, or read more about fighting a NJ traffic ticket.