New Jersey Traffic Violations

Operating a motor vehicle in violation of applicable traffic laws constitutes a traffic violation. As outlined by New Jersey’s traffic law, an individual who violates a traffic statute may be exposed to quasi-criminal or criminal liability depending on the type of traffic-related criminal activity (e.g., fleeing the scene of a serious automobile collision with injuries sustained, reckless driving, or driving while intoxicated).

Additionally, there are several violations of Title 39 that are considered non-criminal violations of the motor vehicle code. Overall, understanding New Jersey traffic law and its various legal, financial, and societal implications is a useful starting point to prevent one from committing traffic violations.

The vast majority of traffic cases are adjudicated through the municipal court system, with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) maintaining driver records and assigning points based on their infractions.

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in New Jersey?

Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated is where the state's "rules of the road" are mostly found. As an example, speeding is covered in N.J.S.A. 39:4-98, following traffic signals and devices (39:4-81), driving recklessly (39:4-96), the need for a license or insurance (39:3-10; 39:6B-2), using a handheld device while driving (39:4-97.3), and fleeing the scene (39:4-129). A motor vehicle offense, DWI/DUI (39:4-50), carries serious judicial and MVC repercussions, including ignition-interlock restrictions and license suspension.

Types of Traffic Violations in New Jersey

The most common types of traffic violations in New Jersey are:

• Speeding: 39:4–98 codifies broad bounds and context-specific assumptions; points increase with overage.
• Running a red light / disobeying a signal: Drivers must obey official traffic-control devices (39:4-81).
• Driving without a license / operating after not being licensed: Operating without a current license or necessary permit is illegal (39:3–10).
• No liability insurance/failure to show proof: There are severe penalties for operating or allowing the operation of an uninsured vehicle (39:6B-2; 39:3-29).
• Reckless driving: "Willful or wanton disregard" for safety; carries a jail sentence and monetary penalties (39:4-96). Careless driving (39:4-97) is a lower, negligence-based misdemeanor.
• Hit-and-run / leaving the scene. When there is harm or death, the severity of the penalties increases (39:4-129).
• Failure to yield / unsafe lane use/tailgating. Common lane-use and right-of-way infractions are listed in the MVC points system.
• Distracted driving (handheld device). Handheld use is prohibited; a third or subsequent infraction within ten years will result in increasing fines and three MVC points.

Traffic Violation Penalties in New Jersey

Many Title 39 infractions have set fines; some allow jail time, particularly for reckless driving (up to 60 days for a first offense), and more for repeat offenders. There are even more severe repercussions when someone leaves the scene injured or dead.

The MVC assesses points for moving violations (e.g., reckless 5; tailgating 5; lane-use 2; speeding scales by mph). Accumulating 12+ points results in a license suspension; six or more points in three years triggers a state surcharge.

According to MVC policy and statute, accumulating six or more points in three years costs $150 (the first six points) plus $25 for each extra point, which is assessed annually for three years. There are set yearly surcharges for three years for several infractions (such as DWI, driving while suspended, and uninsured operation).

Twelve months without a violation or suspension may get you three points from MVC; two points for completing an authorized defensive driving program (once every five years); and three points for completing the Driver Improvement Program (once every two years when utilized to prevent suspension).

The 2019 revisions reduced straight suspensions for many first-time offenders in favor of interlock-based driving and increased the usage of ignition interlocks. IID terms are administered by courts and MVC; refusal (39:4-50.2) entails consequences of its own.

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in New Jersey

A) Court tickets and dockets (Municipal Courts) You may use the NJMCdirectto pay, plead, or otherwise resolve eligible traffic/parking tickets online. For broader lookup, the Municipal Court Case Search (MCCS) portal provides public access to municipal traffic case information by name or ticket/case identifiers. Case pages typically display charge statutes, events/hearings, disposition, and financials (document imaging varies by court).

B) Your MVC driver history (MVR) You may also order a Driver History Abstract online from MVC; the abstract “includes all … moving violations, points, accidents, suspensions, etc. for the past five years.” Mail requests use Form DO-21 for certified copies. Employers/insurers often request this record.

C) What information appears

• Court portals: case/ticket number, statute (e.g., 39:4-81), pleas, disposition, assessments, and scheduled events.
• MVC abstract: license status, convictions with associated points (active), suspensions/restorations, crash involvement—within the five-year abstract window.

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in New Jersey?

A driver history shows five years of driving history by default. These may be reduced prospectively (–3 for a clean year; –2 defensive driving; –3 driver-improvement), but points/convictions still count toward surcharge review for the relevant three-year window. Twelve or more points can trigger suspension.

This crime remains a motor-vehicle conviction with long-term consequences; interlock and enhancement rules apply by statute and Judiciary implementation notices.