A red light ticket written by a police officer in New Jersey carries 2 points under N.J.S.A. 39:4-81 (failure to observe a traffic signal). It’s commonly reduced to a no-point violation depending on your record.
Points for a Red Light Ticket in NJ
| Violation | License Points |
|---|---|
| Failure to observe traffic signal (39:4-81) | 2 points |
Point values from the official New Jersey MVC point schedule. New Jersey adds points to your license when you’re convicted — and paying a ticket by mail counts as a guilty plea.
What N.J.S.A. 39:4-81 Actually Covers
N.J.S.A. 39:4-81 requires drivers to obey traffic signals. When an officer issues the ticket after seeing you go through a red, it's a 2-point moving violation. The officer's vantage point, the timing of the light, and whether you were already in the intersection are all things that can be questioned — which is why these tickets are negotiable.
Why the Points Matter
Points stack across tickets and follow you. In New Jersey, reaching 6 points on your record within three years triggers an annual state surcharge, and 12 points triggers a license suspension. Points can also raise your insurance for years. You can knock 3 points off after a year with no violations, and 2 more by completing an approved driver-improvement course — but the conviction itself stays on your history. That’s why keeping points off in the first place is almost always cheaper than paying the ticket and dealing with the fallout.
Can You Beat a Red Light Ticket?
The usual goal with a red-light ticket is to keep the 2 points off your license, often through a downgrade. The State relies heavily on the officer's observation, and the facts (sight lines, yellow-light timing, your position when the light changed) frequently leave room to negotiate. Don't pay it before a free review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is a red light ticket in NJ?
A red light ticket issued by an officer under N.J.S.A. 39:4-81 is a 2-point offense in New Jersey.
Do red light camera tickets give points in NJ?
New Jersey's red light camera program has ended, but even when cameras were used, those tickets did not add license points or affect your driving record the way an officer-issued 39:4-81 ticket does.
Can a red light ticket be downgraded?
Often, yes. A no-point downgrade is a common goal, depending on your record and the facts. A free review will tell you what's realistic in your case.
Related: use the free NJ traffic points calculator to total your points, or read more about fighting a New Jersey traffic ticket. This page is general information, not legal advice — every case turns on its own facts, and prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome.
Fighting the underlying ticket, not just counting its points? Our NJ improper passing ticket guide (N.J.S.A. 39:4-85) covers the charge itself — the elements, the defenses, and when it can be negotiated down.