New Jersey License After Points Suspension
New Jersey requires 35/70/25 liability coverage and is a no-fault state.
Get My Point-Reduction Insurance QuoteNew Jersey at a Glance
35/70/25
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
No-fault
Each driver's own policy pays their injuries first, whoever caused the crash
Required
PIP and Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy
$100
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in New Jersey
New Jersey operates under a modified comparative negligence system and requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of 15/30/5. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission tracks points for moving violations on a cumulative basis—once you reach 12 points, your license is suspended. Points remain on your driving record for 3 years from the violation date, and defensive driving courses approved by the MVC can remove up to 3 points once every 5 years.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
What Drivers Pay in New Jersey
$409–$448/mo
Typical monthly rate in New Jersey, high-risk drivers after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026
What Affects Your Rate
- Vehicles financed or leased require full coverage throughout suspension and reinstatement—lenders monitor MVC status and will force-place insurance at 3-4x market rate if your policy lapses.
Find Coverage While Your Points Come Down
Get My Point-Reduction Insurance QuoteIf your license is suspended
No hardship license
This state does not issue a restricted license during a suspension.
A coverage lapse is reported
The state can act when your insurance lapses.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points suspend your license in New Jersey?
New Jersey suspends your license at 12 cumulative points. Points accumulate from moving violations and remain on your Motor Vehicle Commission record for 3 years from the violation date. The MVC counts points on a rolling total—if you received 8 points 2 years ago and then get a 4-point speeding ticket today, you cross the 12-point threshold immediately.
Can you remove points before suspension in New Jersey?
Yes—New Jersey allows you to remove 3 points by completing an MVC-approved defensive driving course, but only once every 5 years. The course must be completed before the MVC processes your suspension notice. If you're already suspended when the course completion is filed, the 3-point credit applies to your total but does not reverse the suspension—you must still complete reinstatement.
Can you get a hardship license during a points suspension in New Jersey?
New Jersey offers a Special Learner's Permit for essential driving during suspension, available to drivers whose suspension resulted from points accumulation. You apply through the MVC with proof of need for work or medical transportation. Processing takes 10-15 business days, and the permit restricts you to documented routes only—violations while on the permit add new points and extend your suspension period.
Does New Jersey require SR-22 after a points suspension?
No—New Jersey does not require SR-22 for points-threshold suspensions alone. However, if your final violation that pushed you to 12 points was reckless driving, racing, or another severe offense, the MVC may require SR-22 for that specific violation separately. The SR-22 requirement is violation-triggered, not point-triggered.
How long do points stay on your New Jersey driving record?
Points remain on your New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission record for 3 years from the violation date, not the conviction date or suspension date. After 3 years, the points expire automatically and no longer count toward the 12-point suspension threshold. Insurance carriers can see the underlying violations for 5 years and may continue surcharging your premium even after points expire from the MVC total.
Coverage Types
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Coverage designed for drivers who don't qualify for standard or preferred rates due to points, suspensions, or violations. Non-standard carriers price based on your current point total and violation sequence, not just the suspension event.
High-Risk Auto Insurance
Tier below non-standard for drivers with 12+ points, recent reckless driving, or multiple at-fault accidents. Requires proof of reinstatement and MVC point statement at application.
SR-22 Insurance
Certificate of financial responsibility filed by your carrier to prove continuous coverage. New Jersey requires SR-22 for specific violations like reckless driving or DUI, not for points-threshold suspensions alone.
Liability Insurance
Bodily injury and property damage coverage when you're at fault. New Jersey's 15/30/5 minimum is insufficient for most modern claims but serves as the legal floor for reinstatement.