AVERY & AVERY
Attorneys at Law · Ridgefield, NJ · Est. 1976
(201) 943-2445 DIRECT LINE · BY APPT.
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Vol. L · No. I FOL. LArticles

Avery & Avery, Esqs. Ridgefield, NJ John S. Avery, Esq.

Points-Per-License Math in NJ — How the State Tracks You

JS·A

By John S. Avery, Esq.

Partner · Trial & Appellate

By John S. Avery, Esq.

NJ tracks driving infractions through a points system administered by the Motor Vehicle Commission. Each moving-violation conviction adds points; specific thresholds trigger administrative sanctions. Understanding the math helps you manage your record.

NJ point-system math walkthrough. Not legal advice. Free consultation: (201) 943-2445.

The Point Schedule

Common moving violations and their point values under N.J.A.C. 13:19:

ViolationPoints
Speeding 1-14 over2
Speeding 15-29 over4
Speeding 30+ over5
Reckless driving5
Careless driving2
Improper passing4
Tailgating5
Failure to yield to pedestrian2
Failure to stop for stop sign2
Improper turn3
Leaving scene (with injury)8
Leaving scene (property only)2
DUI / DWI(no points — license consequences)

DWI does not add points; it adds license forfeiture, interlock, surcharges, and the conviction itself.

How Points Reduce

Points reduce by 3 after every 3 years without a moving-violation conviction. Voluntary defensive-driving completion reduces points by 2 once every 5 years.

Suspension Thresholds

  • 6 points — surcharge can apply
  • 12 points — proposed administrative suspension
  • Higher accumulation — longer suspensions

The MVC provides notice with hearing rights under N.J.A.C. 13:19-10.

Surcharge System

The Surcharge Program adds annual fees on top of conviction fines:

  • 6+ points within 3 years: $150/year base + $25/point above 6
  • DWI: $1,000/year × 3 years
  • Driving while suspended: $250/year × 3 years
  • No insurance: $250/year × 3 years

Surcharges run in 3-year billing cycles for most surcharge-triggering convictions.

Insurance Impact

Insurance carriers’ surcharge tables sit alongside the MVC points. A 4-point speeding ticket can produce a carrier surcharge even before MVC sanctions trigger. The look-back period for insurance is typically 3-5 years.

Strategy

Defense work targets two goals:

  1. Avoid the conviction — through dismissal or amendment
  2. Avoid the surcharge / insurance trigger — through amendment to a no-point alternative

The most common amendment is N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.2 — unsafe operation. 0 points, modest fine, no surcharge trigger, and insurance carriers typically code it lower than a moving violation.

Practical Tips

  • Pull your abstract every 1-2 years to verify
  • Use the 3-year reduction window strategically — a violation occurring just before the 3-year mark recovers from a single prior much faster than one occurring just after
  • Treat 6-point and 12-point thresholds as bright-line risk markers
  • Treat any conviction near surcharge-trigger as worthy of defense

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my abstract?

Online or by mail through the MVC’s Driver History Abstract service.

What if I disagree with the MVC’s calculation?

Hearing rights under N.J.A.C. 13:19-10 with counsel.

Can a NJ moving violation be expunged?

No. Title 39 is not eligible for expungement.

Will I be notified before suspension?

Yes — the MVC issues a proposed-suspension notice with hearing rights before the suspension takes effect.

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