In New Jersey, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) keeps track of your driving history through a point system. Whenever you are convicted of, or plead guilty to a moving violation, or certain personal injury-causing motor vehicle accidents, you are assessed a certain number of points. If you accumulate six or more points within a three year period, you will have to pay an additional fee to retain your driving privileges. If you get 12 or more points, your license will be suspended.
Ways to Reduce the Number of Points Affecting Your Driving Privileges
The state of New Jersey keeps a permanent record of all your moving violations. Nonetheless, there are steps that you can take to reduce the accumulated total of points, so that you can avoid suspension or the assessment of a surcharge:
You can enroll in and complete a driver improvement program, which will take three points off your total. You may only do this once every two years.
You can participate in and finish a defensive driving program. This will knock two points off your record, and can be done once every five years.
You can avoid any other violations or suspensions. If you do so for one year, you can take three points of your record.
Unfortunately, insurance companies are not required to lower your insurance rates simply because your point total has gone down.
Contact Attorney Harold J. Gerr
To discuss your rights and options when involved in a motor vehicle accident, or involved in a hit and run personal injury case, contact us online or call us at 732-537-8570. There is no charge for your first meeting. We are available to meet with you weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and evenings or weekends upon request. We will travel to meet with you if necessary.
