In New Jersey, you can lose your license if you have enough negative points on your record. The state suspends a person's license if he or she has 12 or more points on his or her driving record. The notice of suspension comes in the mail, which is why it's important to keep your license up-to-date.
Getting points on your license can increase your insurance rates, which may make it harder to get insurance. Without insurance, it's not legal to drive in the state of New Jersey.
How do you get rid of points on your driving record?
Over time, points drop off the record. All you have to do is avoid violating any traffic laws. For instance, if you go one year without a violation, three points will be removed from your record. If you go through a defensive driving program, two points will be removed from your record. If you go through a driver improvement program or probationary driver program, three points will be removed for each course. Driver improvement programs can only be used once every two years while defensive driving programs may only be taken once every five years to remove points.
Not all traffic violations are the same, so you may receive two points for speeding or up to five points. Even driving too slowly can result in points on your license; slow speeds that block traffic are violations that result in two points.
If you're facing a citation or may receive points on your license, you do have a right to go to court to fight the citation or charges. It's a good idea to do so to protect your right to drive and to prevent your insurance rates from climbing.
Source: State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, "NJSA point schedule," accessed Oct. 11, 2017