Traffic Tickets

Motor Vehicle Points: Will They Be Assessed Against You?

With certain motor vehicle tickets, if you plead guilty or are convicted of certain motor vehicle offenses, DMV or the Division of Motor Vehicles will assess points against your driver's license. These points can range anywhere from two (2) points for each offense all the way up to eight (8) points. Some examples of common point assessments include the following:

• Careless Driving (2 points)
• Failure to signal (2 points)
• Failure to yield to pedestrian in a cross-walk (2 points)
• Improper passing (4 points)
• Improper passing of school bus (5 points)
• Improper passing of a frozen dessert truck (5 points)
• Improper turn (3 points)
• Leaving the scene of an accident with personal injuries (8 points)
• Racing on a highway (5 points)
• Reckless Driving (5 points)
• Speeding (anywhere from 2 points to 5 points, depending upon your speed)
• Tailgating (5 points)

Q.: What are the ramifications of accumulating motor vehicle points?

A.: First off, losing your driver's privileges. If you accumulate 12 or more points, the Division of Motor Vehicles will suspend your driving privileges for at least thirty (30) days if not more. In addition, once you accumulate six (6) points or more on your driver's license, New Jersey DMV will send you a surcharge of $100.00, plus $25.00 for each point above six (6) points.

Q: How can one reduce the amount of points on their driver's license?

A: Any time you are given a ticket for a motor vehicle offense, simply do not blow it off and simply do not pay it, consult with an attorney because the penalties and points involved in a guilty plea and/or finding of a guilty plea could have a detrimental affect on your driver's privileges.

There are generally three (3) ways to reduce your motor vehicle points:

• Based upon the mere passage of time. For every year that a driver can go without receiving a new violation, you will receive a three (3) point credit;
• A driver may also receive a two (2) point credit by completing an authorized defensive driving course; and
• You can receive a three (3) point credit if you successfully complete a driver improvement course.

For more information, please contact Blair C. Lane, Sr., at 856-354-7700. Initial consultations are free.