Suspensions and Restorations

 

Information about restoring your license or registration

Restoring Your License or Registration

If your license has expired, you will need to renew it in-person.

  • Pay the $100 restoration fee online at this link.
  • Pay in person at a Regional Service Center, available on a walk-in basis.
  • For faster mail processing, send a check or money order payable to the NJMVC, with the bottom portion of the suspension notice, to:
    • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
    P.O. Box 165 Trenton, NJ 08666-0165

    If missing the bottom portion of the suspension notice, send a check or money order payable to the NJMVC at the following address:

    New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
    P.O. Box 165
    Trenton, NJ 08666-0165

    Please include your driver license number on all payments.
    It is the driver’s responsibility to submit proof of payment of outstanding fines or tickets to the MVC to be restored.
    Once you have satisfied the reason for the suspension, completed any suspension period that had been ordered, and paid the required fees, you will receive a Notice of Restoration in the mail.
    If the license was surrendered and has expired, follow the same steps for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.

Parking Violations

How to Pay Parking Tickets

The MVC does not issue parking tickets or collect payments on them. All tickets and suspensions are processed through the New Jersey municipal courts and the MVC is required to follow the actions of the court by recording the suspension to the driver history record.

  • Follow the instructions on the back of the ticket.
  • It is usually possible to pay online, by mail or in person at the court.
  • If you have lost your parking ticket, please contact the municipal court where your ticket was issued.
  • Once satisfied, you must submit proof of satisfaction to the MVC to:
    • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
    P.O. Box 165
    Trenton, NJ 08666-0165
    If you receive a parking ticket on plates that are no longer yours or on a vehicle that does not match the vehicle you own, you need to submit proof to the court. The MVC can provide you with supporting documentation, if you follow these steps:
  • Write a letter to the MVC explaining that the plates are no longer yours or does not match the vehicle you own; include your signature.
  • Include the license plate number that was ticketed, your new plate number, your driver license number, and your address.
  • If you surrendered the old plates and kept the receipt, please provide a copy of that receipt.
  • Send the letter, a copy of the ticket and the summons to:
    • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
    Customer Advocacy Office
    P.O. Box 403
    Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0403
    The MVC will complete a search for the plate number and send you a letter with the results. You should retain a copy of that letter for your records in case of a future occurrence.

Uninsured Motorist Suspensions

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Restore Your Registration

    New Jersey law prohibits the registration, or, if already registered, the operation, of a motor vehicle unless it is covered by specified limits of liability insurance coverage (N.J.S.A. 39:6B-1).
    If you received a scheduled suspension or order of suspension for being an Uninsured Motorist, (Look for one of the following event codes on top left side of your letter: UMS-S-ICRG, UMS-O-ICRG, UMS-S-ICLS, UMS-O-ICLC) you must do the following to restore your privileges:
  • Submit a photocopy of your current NJ insurance identification card for the vehicle(s) (but not for the cancelled policy);

    • OR

  • Submit a photocopy of the declaration page of your current insurance policy describing the vehicle(s) and coverage to:

    • Email: UM.INFO@MVC.NJ.GOV
    PHONE: : 732-587-5039 option #1
    US Mail to the NJMVC, PO BOX 132, Trenton, NJ 08666
    FAX: 609-777-3178 or 609-777-3179

    *Include your NJ driver’s license number and a return phone number on all correspondence.


    If you no longer own or use the vehicle(s), or if it is registered in another state, you must:
  • Surrender the registration certificate(s) and license plates to the MVC; AND submit a photocopy of the receipt for the surrendered license plates.
  • If the license plates are no longer in your possession, you must submit an RSC-6 form explaining what happened to the license plates.

    • The above documentation may be submitted to:
    Email: UM.INFO@MVC.NJ.GOV
    PHONE: 732-587-5039 option #1
    US Mail to the NJMVC, PO BOX 132, Trenton, NJ 08666
    FAX: 609-777-3178 or 609-777-3179


    Please include your name, driver license number, and daytime phone number on all correspondence.
    If your registration privileges are suspended, you should not drive or operate the vehicle(s) until you have received written notification from the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission that your registration privileges, and the registration for that vehicle, have been restored.
    If your driving privileges have been suspended, you should not operate a vehicle until you have received written notification from the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission that your driving privileges have been restored.
    If both your driving and registration privileges are suspended, they will not be restored until the above-mentioned requirements are met and a $100 restoration fee for each privilege affected is submitted (Registration and License.)

Points System

Read the New Jersey Point Schedule. You can check how many points are on your license by requesting your Driver History.

How do points affect you?

  • If you get six or more points within three years on your current driving record, you will be assessed a surcharge.
  • If you get 12 or more points on your current driving record, your license will be suspended. You will receive a notice of scheduled suspension by mail.
  • Getting points on your license may also increase your insurance rates. Contact your insurance carrier for details.
  • Although the MVC keeps a permanent record of all the points you've earned, it is possible to earn point deductions by remaining violation and suspension-free for one year or by taking qualified driving courses approved by the MVC.
  • Note: Your insurance company might not factor these deductions into your insurance rate.
  • You can complete multiple remedial programs to remove points; however, you must follow the timeline for each deduction restriction.
Deduction Points Restrictions

One year with no violations or suspensions

-3

Year begins on date of violation or most recent restoration.

Defensive Driving Program

-2

May be used to subtract points once every five years.

Driver Improvement Program

-3

May only be used to subtract points once every two years in response to MVC proposed action.

Probationary Driver Program

-3

May only be completed one time when ordered by MVC to attend.

Out of State Violations

  • A moving violation committed outside the state of New Jersey will be assessed two (2) points (39:5D-4).

DUI: Driving Under the Influence

DUI: What the Law Says

    In New Jersey, a person with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater who operates a motor vehicle or a boat is considered to be driving under the influence (DUI).
    The law also provides that operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic, or hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug may be proven by other observational-type evidence with or without a particular BAC test result.

    Additionally, if you permit another person who is “under the influence" to operate a motor vehicle or boat that you own (or is in your custody or control), you are also subject to the DUI law's mandatory penalties.
  • In New Jersey, a person with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater who operates a motor vehicle or a boat is considered to be driving under the influence (DUI). The law also provides that operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic, or hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug may be proven by other observational-type evidence with or without a particular BAC test result.
  • Additionally, if you permit another person who is "under the influence" pursuant to the DUI statute to operate a motor vehicle or boat that you own or is in your custody or control, you are also subject to the DUI law's mandatory penalties.
  • Being convicted of a DUI is a serious offense, carrying heavy penalties including:
    • Fines, fees and surcharges;
    • License suspension;
    • Ignition interlock device;
    • Jail time;
    • Community service; and
    • Completion of Intoxicated Driver Program.

    Failure to pay DUI surcharges will result in:
  • Indefinite suspension of driving privileges.
  • Action filed in State Superior Court by the MVC. This may include securing a lien against your property, garnishing your wages, or other similar action.
  • Mandatory fines and penalties for DUI.

    • Underage DUI

    If you are under 21 years old and are convicted of driving or boating with a BAC of .01% or higher, the following penalties apply:
  • 30–90 day license suspension;
  • Possible combination of the minimum sentences above and select DUI Mandatory Fines and Penalties, depending on the situation (see above);
  • 15–30 days mandatory community service; and
  • Participation in alcohol education and highway safety programs at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (see locations).
  • If you are unlicensed and under 17 years of age at the time of the incident, you are subject to a 30–90-day delay in processing your driver license.
See Full Penalty Tables
    In New Jersey if you get arrested for a DUI, you must take an Alcotest/Breathalyzer test. When you get your license in New Jersey, you give consent for this test, known as "implied consent." If you refuse to take an Alcotest/Breathalyzer test, you will be detained and brought to a hospital where hospital staff may draw blood. If convicted of refusing to submit to a test, the penalties are similar to a conviction for DUI.
Offense

License loss

Fines, fees & surcharges

Program requirement

1st

7 months – 1 year
1-2 years; school zone

$300-$500 fine
$600-$1,000 fine; school zone
$230/day IDRC* fee
$100 to drunk driving fund
$100 to AERF*
$1,000/year (for 3 years) surcharge
$75 to Neighborhood Services Fund
*Ignition interlock device during license suspension and 6 months to1 year following restoration

12 hours minimum IDRC*

2nd

2 years
4 years; school zone

$500-$1,000 fine
$1,000-$2,000 fine; school zone
$230/day IDRC* fee
$100 to drunk driving fund
$100 to AERF*
$1,000/year (for 3 years) surcharge
$75 to Neighborhood Services Fund
*Ignition interlock device during license suspension and 1 to 3 years following restoration.

12 hours minimum IDRC*

3rd and subsequent

10 years
20 years; school zone

$1,000 fine
$2000 fine; school zone
$230/day IDRC* fee
$100 to drunk driving fund
$100 to AERF*
*Ignition interlock device during license suspension and 1 to 3 years following restoration.

12 hours minimum IDRC*

 

 

$1,500/year (for 3 years) surcharge
$75 to Neighborhood Services Fund

 
    If your license was suspended for a DUI offense, the court may require you to install an ignition interlock device to prevent a vehicle from starting if your BAC exceeds 0.05%. Residents of New Jersey must have the device installed at an installation site within the State of New Jersey.

    Ignition interlock device requirements:
  • First DUI offense: Installation of interlock device for six months to one year upon restoration (judge's discretion); BAC 0.15% or greater requires mandatory installation of ignition interlock device during license suspension and for six months to one year following restoration
  • Second DUI offense: Mandatory installation of interlock device during license suspension and for one to three years following restoration

    • If the court orders you to install an interlock device, you will receive a notice of suspension from the MVC with instructions on how to obtain the device.
    IMPORTANT NOTE: Failure to have an ignition interlock installed when ordered by a judge could result in the denial of restoration and an additional one year driving privilege suspension if convicted of driving without an interlock device. For installation availability for motorcycles and autocycles please contact the listed manufacturers directly.

    View the list of manufacturers .

    View the list of licensed installers. (Only an installer licensed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission may be used. Before scheduling your installation, confirm that the installer you select from the manufacturer’s list is properly licensed.)

    Any person convicted of an alcohol and/or drug related traffic/driving offense, if court ordered, must participate in a program at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC).
  • New Jersey has an IDRC in each county for first and third-time offenders and regional IDRC 48-hour centers for second-time offenders.
  • During the program, offenders receive mandatory alcohol and highway safety education training.
  • IDRC also screens each offender for any possible addiction problems and determines the need for a full addiction assessment.
  • If the assessment determines that treatment is needed, the offender must successfully complete treatment and be monitored by the IDRC during the duration of the clinically determined length of treatment.
  • IDRC reports non-compliance with education and/or treatment to the courts and the Intoxicated Driving Program (IDP). IDP makes a recommendation to the MVC for suspension or restoration based on the offender’s successful completion of IDRC conviction requirements.

    • Satisfactory participation in IDRC is a step toward restoring your license. Failure to comply will result in further license suspension and possible jail time.

    IDRC fees and other related charges may apply:

    Charge Paid To

    $100 program fee

    MVC

    $264 first curriculum fee

    IDRC

    $321 second curriculum fee

    IDRC

    $100 license restoration fee

    MVC
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