How Long Do Points Stay on Your Record in New Jersey?

Most people have no idea how beneficial defensive driving courses can be especially if you already have points on your license. New Jersey defensive driving classes clean up your driving record by deducting points and the classes save you money. The aim is to make you a better driver as well.

After completing a New Jersey defensive driving course, you will receive a discount on your New Jersey auto insurance and up to two points will be removed from your New Jersey driving record.

New Jersey Auto Insurance Discount

A big appeal of a defensive driving course in New Jersey is the auto discount you will receive after you complete the course. This discount varies based on your insurance company but is usually between 5 percent and 10 percent.

Discounts are usually valid for three years and they can save you hundreds of dollars over that time period. You can retake the defensive driving course every three years to keep the discount active.

Upon completion of your New Jersey defensive driving course, you will receive a certificate of completion. Present this certificate to your insurance company to receive your discount.

Driving Record and Point Reduction

Another key benefit to New Jersey defensive driving courses is the two-point reduction that gets applied to your driving record when you complete the course. Points on your driving record may raise your auto insurance rates. Check with your insurance provider for details. A high number of points lead to surcharges and a suspension of your driver’s license.

If you have six or more points added to your driving record within three years, you will be subject to surcharges. Surcharges start at $150 for six points and increase up by $25 for each additional point. You may be subject to these surcharges for up to three years.

If you accumulate 12 or more points on your driving record, your license will be suspended and you will lose your driving privileges. To reinstate your license you will be required to pay a $150 restoration fee and complete a driver improvement program.

Every moving violation carries a specific number of points. When you receive a New Jersey traffic ticket the points associated with the violation are transferred to your driving record. Here some examples.

Moving against traffic, careless driving, failure to yield to a pedestrian, failure to abide by traffic signs or signals, excessive speed of one mile to 14 miles over the speed limit all add two points to your driving record. Improper crossing of a bridge and failure to give proper signal also would add two points to your driving record.

Going 15 to 29 miles an hour above the speed limit and improper passing both add four points to your driving record. Racing on the highway and improper passing of a school bus would earn you five points. Causing an accident resulting in personal injury adds eight points to your driving record.

Keep in mind that you only get points on your record for moving violations. Points are not assessed for parking and other violations.

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How Long Do Points Stay on Your Record in New Jersey?

These points can be removed for a couple of different reasons. Three points may be removed if you go one full year without receiving a violation or having your license suspended. Two points will be removed if you complete a New Jersey defensive driving course. These courses can be done once every five years.

Taking Points Away with Driver Improvement Program

Reinstating your license means completing a driver improvement program. The completion of this program will also take three points off your license.

You can only complete this course if the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission sends you a letter giving you the option to do so. These letters are sent to drivers who accumulate 12 to 14 points in two years. Drivers can take the course rather than receiving a 30-day suspension of their driver’s license. The program charges a $75 administrative fee.

Deducting Points with a Probationary Driver Program

Completing a probationary driver program will take up to three points off your driving record. You may participate in this program only if you get a letter from New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission ordering you to complete the program. You may only take the course once. The program comes with a $75 administrative fee.

Permanent Record of Points

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission keeps a permanent record on all points a New Jersey driver has earned. But point reductions are still possible through a defensive driving course, driver improvement program and the probationary driver program. Having good driving behavior for one year, with no moving violations, will also reduce the number of points that you have on your record.