How do I find out if my license is suspended in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, you can find out about your license suspension in several ways by mail or phone.
By mail. Rest assured that officials are required to send notice to your address on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before suspending your license.
By phone. If you haven’t gotten a notice but would like to review your driving record, you can call the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) at 609-292-6500 or at the toll-free number 888-486-3339.
Reasons your license might be suspended
You may think you’d only get a license suspension for driving uninsured or after drinking. But New Jersey drivers can receive a suspension for other reasons too, including:
12+ points on driving record
Abandoning a vehicle on public roads
At fault in a fatal accident
Driving without insurance
DUI, whether drugs or alcohol
Failing to appear in court
Outstanding fines, surcharges or violations
Physical or mental disabilities that inhibit driving
Reckless driving
Can my license be suspended if I don’t renew it?
No. If your license has expired, you have up to three years to renew it. However, driving while your license is expired is illegal. If you miss the three-year window, you’ll have to apply for a new license.
In some cases, you may have a grace period before expiration. During the coronavirus, New Jersey extended expiring driver’s licenses and registrations by two months.
What happens if your license gets suspended license in New Jersey?
If you get a suspension, you won’t be able to drive for the length of your suspension, according to New Jersey law. You’ll also need to take care of any fines or surcharges that apply to your suspension.
For example, a suspension from too many license points could mean a big surcharge. Typically, the charge is $150 for the first six points and $25 per point thereafter, which totals $300 for 12 points. The surcharge can apply for up to three years.
However, you can appeal your suspension if you’re not guilty or never received notice of the suspension beforehand. However, appealing if you didn’t receive a notice could require that you’ve kept your address updated with the DMV.
Also, you could avoid the suspension by reducing points on your license or paying your outstanding fines, but these decisions may be up to the judge or police officer.
Who is most likely to be researching license suspension in New Jersey?
Finder data suggests that men aged 25-34 are most likely to be researching this topic.
Response
Male (%)
Female (%)
65+
4.11%
2.27%
55-64
7.79%
8.22%
45-54
8.22%
9.49%
35-44
11.90%
10.48%
25-34
13.17%
9.77%
18-24
9.07%
5.52%
Source: Finder sample of 706 visitors using demographics data from Google Analytics
How can I drive with a suspended license in New Jersey?
New Jersey law does not allow driving with a suspended license. If you get caught doing so, you’ll receive a $500 fine plus $250 surcharge for up to three years with an additional license suspension of six months.
Each offense after the first receives a steeper fine, surcharge, insurance points and jail time. That includes insurance points, a $750 fine, $250 surcharge and up to five days in jail for a second offense. The third time, you’ll receive points, a $1,000 fine, $250 surcharge and up to 10 days in jail.
How to reinstate a suspended license in New Jersey
After you’ve completed your suspension period, you can reinstate your license after paying any outstanding fines or surcharges as directed and then paying a reinstatement fee. You’ll need to tag any of these methods with your driver’s license number for quick processing.
How to pay the $100 reinstatement fee:
Online. Go to the MVC fee payment page and follow the instructions there for payment.
In person. Visit your local motor vehicle agency to take care of the fee quickly and simply. Note that you’ll have to renew in person if your license has expired since it was suspended.
By mail. You’ll need to use the correct address based on whether or not you have the bottom portion of your suspension notice.
With bottom portion: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission PO Box 140 Trenton, NJ 08650-0140
Without bottom portion: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission PO Box 134 Trenton, NJ 08650-0134
When can I drive my car again?
First, you’ll need to complete your suspension period, which should be specified by your ticket or the judge at court. If you get a suspension for not paying surcharges, your suspension lasts only until you pay the surcharge and reinstatement fee and receive notice of your restored license.
After you’ve completed the suspension and reinstatement process, you’ll receive a Notice of Restoration in the mail, which allows you to drive with a valid driver’s license.
How to get car insurance with a suspended license in New Jersey
You may need car insurance with a suspended license to keep your car protected or to avoid a coverage lapse even while you’re not driving.
However, your current insurer may drop you after a suspension because of higher driving risk. In that case, you can get insurance in several ways:
Standard insurance companies. Compare big-name or local insurers that offer policies to a variety of drivers.
High-risk insurers. Look for local or regional companies who specialize in high-risk drivers. Also, you may need one that will file an SR-22 document if your suspension requires proof of insurance.
State-run programs. Contact New Jersey Basic or Standard policy providers to receive quotes. A list is available on the state’s Department of Banking and Insurance website.
Compare Sr-22 car insurance companies
Not all avenues in the Garden State are filled with flowers and roses, especially the road to license reinstatement. You’ll need to fulfill several requirements, such as completing a no-driving period and paying steep fines along with the reinstatement fee. Plus, you might be forced to get pricey high-risk car insurance during the suspension.
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Bottom line
Getting your license suspended in New Jersey can mean hefty fines and surcharges along with your driving restriction, and fines vary based on the violation. However, during your suspension, you might compare insurers for the best high-risk driver coverage and rates.
Frequently asked questions about suspended licenses in New Jersey
How do I get the New Jersey Special Auto Insurance Policy with a suspended license?
Suspended drivers don’t qualify for this “dollar-a-day” program. However, you may qualify once your license is reinstated.
How do I pay my surcharge in New Jersey?
Pay your surcharge in a variety of ways, including:
Online. Pay with a debit or credit card through the New Jersey Surcharge Violation System.
By phone. Call the toll-free number for payment at 844-424-6829.
By mail. Mail a check or money order to NJSVS, PO Box 1502, Moorestown, NJ 08057-9704.
Through a payment plan. Call 844-424-6829 to request information about installments.
How do I check points on my license in New Jersey?
Request a copy of your driving record online through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission or in person at your local motor vehicle agency. You can also call the MVC at 609-292-6500 or the toll-free number 888-486-3339.
Sarah George is a personal finance writer at Finder who’s spent the last four years wielding her digital pen on all things banking and insurance. Her know-how has been featured in such publications as CBS, CNET and Reviews.com, and she was a panelist in Finder’s 2020 money-saving webinar. Sarah earned an English education degree and is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance.
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