Completion of this program will result in a three-point reduction on an individual motorists history record. Failure to complete the program or conviction of one or more subsequent moving violations during the test period will result in a suspension of driving privileges.
Mature Driver Program
A mature driver should constantly re-evaluate his/her driving skills. Driver improvement courses are available to mature drivers at various driving schools or through specific organizations.
For example, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers 55 Alive, a motorist improvement course that is specially designed for motorists age 50 and older. The eight-hour course helps motorists refine existing skills and develop safe defensive driving techniques. An added bonus is that in New Jersey, the course may qualify motorists who successfully complete the course to a minimum five percent vehicle insurance discount.
To find out more about this course, call AARP toll-free at (888) 227-7669. Check with insurance companies about how completing the course will affect a premium.
Motor vehicle surcharges and point violations
Motorists who accumulate six or more points within three years are subject to a surcharge of $150 for six points and $25 for each additional point. Surcharges are levied in addition to any court-imposed fines and penalties. Surcharges will remain operational if a motorist has six or more points on his/her motorist record resulting from violations posted in the preceding three years. Point totals are based on the date the violations are posted to a motorists record, not when the violations occurred (N.J.S.A. 17:29A-35).
Point system reductions in the Driver Improvement Program, the Point System and Defensive Driving Program sections do not apply to the motor vehicle surcharge system. Convicted or administratively suspended motorists must pay a prescribed dollar amount each year for three years.
Violation/Surcharge
Unlicensed driver (N.J.A.C. 13:19-13.1)/$100
No insurance moped (N.J.A.C. 13:19-13.1)/$100
Driving while suspended (Court or MVC reported) (N.J.A.C. 13:19-13.2)/$250
No liability insurance on motor vehicle (N.J.A.C. 13:19-13.2)/$250
DUI/Refusal /$1,000
DUI/Refusal (third and subsequent convictions)/$1,500
Ways to pay a motor vehicle surcharge bilclass="underline"
* Mail payment to NJ-AISC, P.O. Box 4850, Trenton, NJ 08650-4850.
* Pay online at www.njmvc.gov (online services).
* Use charge-by-phone: call toll free (888) 651-9999 (using American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover).
* Visit an MVC Regional Service Center in person.
Restoration fees may also be paid when making a motor vehicle surcharge payment using the charge-by-phone. Failure to pay any motor vehicle surcharges will result in the indefinite suspension of all driving privileges. The MVC may file a judgment action in the state Superior Court for unpaid surcharges, secure a lien against any real property that a motorist owns, file for a garnishment of wages or take other similar actions (N.J.S.A.17:29A-35). Motor vehicle convictions may increase automobile insurance premiums assessed by a motorists insurance company.
The point system
The MVC keeps track of a motorists driving record by adding points to the record when the motorist is convicted of a moving violation. The more serious the violation, the more points the motorist is given. See the following point chart for various violations. For an expanded or updated list of point violations, visit www.njcourtsonline.com.
All point violations after March 1, 1974, will stay on a motorists driving record. Two points will be added to a driving record for traffic violations committed in other states.
Up to three points will be subtracted from a motorists point total for every year that the motorist goes without a violation or suspension, but the point total will never be reduced below zero (N.J.S.A. 39:5-30.9).
Traffic laws are enforceable on highways, roadways, parking areas, driveways and grounds owned and maintained by government entities. Also, motorists convicted of reckless or careless driving in any area open to vehicular traffic or usage will be subject to the charges applicable to that moving violation.
Moving violation point chart
Violation/Point Value
Moving against traffic: New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway/2
Improper passing: New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway/4
Unlawful use of median strip: New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway/2
Operating a constructor vehicle in excess of 45 mph/3
Operating a motorized bicycle on a restricted highway/2
More than one person on a motorized bicycle/2
Failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk/2
Failure to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk; passing a vehicle yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk/2
Driving through a safety zone/2
Racing on highway/5
Improper action or omission on grades and curves/2
Failure to observe a direction of an officer/2
Failure to stop a vehicle before crossing a sidewalk/2
Failure to yield to pedestrians or vehicles while entering or leaving a highway/2
Operating a motor vehicle on public or private property to avoid a traffic control signal or sign/2
Operating a motor vehicle on a sidewalk/2
Failure to obey a direction of an officer/2
Failure to observe traffic signals/2
Failure to keep right/2
Improper operating of a vehicle on a divided highway or divider/2
Failure to keep right at an intersection/2
Failure to pass right of vehicle proceeding in opposite direction/5
Improper passing on right or off roadway/4
Wrong way on a one-way street/2
Improper passing in a no passing zone/4
Failure to yield to an overtaking vehicle/2
Failure to observe traffic lanes/2
Tailgating/5
Failure to yield at an intersection/2
Failure to use proper entrances to limited access highways/2
Failure to yield to emergency vehicles/2
Reckless driving/5
Careless driving/2
Destruction of agricultural or recreational property/2
Slow speed blocking traffic/2
Driving in an unsafe manner (points only assessed for the third or subsequent violation(s) within a five year period)/4
Exceeding maximum speed 1-14 mph over the limit/2
Exceeding maximum speed 15-29 mph over the limit/4
Exceeding maximum speed 30 mph or more over the limit/5
Failure to stop for a traffic light/2
Improper turn at a traffic light/3
Failure to stop at a flashing red signal/2
Failure to stop for a police whistle/2
Improper right or left turn/3
Improper turn from an approved turning course/3
Improper U-turn/3
Failure to give proper signal/2
Improper backing or turning in street/2
Improper crossing of a railroad grade crossing/2
Improper crossing of a bridge/2
Improper crossing of a railroad grade crossing by certain vehicles/2
Improper passing of a school bus/5
Improper passing of a frozen dessert truck/4
Leaving the scene of an accident/No personal injury/2
Leaving the scene of an accident/Personal injury/8
Failure to observe Stop or Yield signs/2
Moving violation out of state/2
Interstate compacts
New Jersey belongs to two interstate compacts. Member states exchange information to ensure motorist compliance with the law and that they receive penalties for violations.
The Non-resident Violator Compact assures that non-resident motorists in member states will receive the same treatment as resident motorists. When motorists receive traffic citations in member states, they must fulfill the terms of that citation or face the possibility of license suspension in their home state until they meet those terms. Non-resident motorists have due process protection and cannot be detained out of state. Currently, 44 states and the District of Columbia are members of the compact. Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon and Wisconsin are non-members. The compact does not apply to parking or standing violations, highway weight limit violations and violations of hazmat transportation laws (N.J.S.A. 39:5F-1 through 39:5F-30).