New Jersey driving lesson · Driver Privileges and Penalties
Driver programs and violation surcharges
A 3-minute lesson from the New Jersey course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
New Jersey offers courses that can take points off your record, and it requires some drivers to attend them. Separately, too many points or certain convictions trigger yearly surcharge bills, which point reductions don't erase.
Know the rule
Accumulating between 12 and 14 points in a 24-month period brings a Notice of Scheduled Suspension from the MVC by mail.
After a Driver Improvement Program or a restoration, you're on probation for one year; any moving violation in that year brings a scheduled suspension.
A new driver's two-year probation begins with a permit. Two or more moving violations totaling 4+ points means you must enroll ($75 MVC fee plus program fee).
Completing the Probationary Driver Program can remove up to three points. Failing to complete it, or another moving violation during the test period, means suspension.
A voluntary defensive driving course (classroom or approved online) removes two points and may lower insurance rates. The MVC recognizes one course every five years for point reduction.
Six or more points within three years brings a surcharge of $150 for six points plus $25 for each additional point, paid each year for three years. Point reductions don't apply to surcharges.
Surcharge points are counted by the date violations are posted, not when they occurred. Unpaid surcharges can lead to collection, a court judgment, a lien on property or wage garnishment.
You have 7 points from the past three years. You'll owe a surcharge of $150 + $25 = $175 each year for three years. Taking a defensive driving course removes 2 points from your record but doesn't cancel that surcharge.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
A motorist accumulates between 12 and 14 points in a 24-month period. What does the MVC send them?
A warning letter with no consequence
An automatic license revocation notice
A Notice of Scheduled Suspension
A request for a hearing only
Answer: A Notice of Scheduled Suspension
Motorists who accumulate 12-14 points in 24 months receive a Notice of Scheduled Suspension by mail.