Suspended License in New Jersey

Determine the Status of Your Driver's License

The Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and the courts can suspend your license. You can find out the status of your license when you look at your driving record.

Check Your Driving Record

You can obtain your driving record either through the MVC or a third-party vendor.

• Order Driving Record Online Ordering through a third-party vendor takes minutes.

• Order Driving Record in Person
  1. Have your driver's license number.
  2. Have your Social Security number.
  3. Have the $10 fee.
  4. Visit any MVC location.

• Order Driving Record By Mail
  1. Include in a letter your name, mailing address, Social Security number, and driver's license number.
  2. Submit the letter along with a check for $10 to:
     • Motor Vehicle Commission
     • Abstract Unit
     • P.O. Box 142
     • Trenton, NJ 08666

Suspended in All States

Most states participate in the National Driver Register (NDR), a national database that collects and shares information on drivers with revoked and suspended licenses. So if you're considering applying for a new license in another state while your current license is suspended or revoked, you will be red flagged and rejected.

The Driver License Compact (DLC), another national database, also gathers and dispenses driver license information. But unlike the NDR, it monitors your out-of-state violations. So if your license gets suspended while driving in Vermont, for example, the NDR will notify the MVC and allow you, for better or worse, to be subjected to New Jersey laws.

Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License

Penalties vary, contingent on the nature of your suspension and whether you're a repeat offender. In certain cases, driving on a suspended license could get you up to five years in jail.

For information regarding a suspension, call (609) 292-7500.

Contact an Attorney

If you're facing a stiff punishment for driving on a suspended license, you may want to consider hiring an attorney. Expert legal advice could help in minimizing your penalty.

Obtain a Restricted License

The state does not issue restricted or conditional licenses during a suspension period.

Reinstate Your License

Each case is different. Depending on the infraction, suspensions can range from 30 days to 10 years.

Listed below are the reinstatement procedures for some of the more common scenarios. Consulting an attorney, especially if you face a lengthy reinstatement period, is highly advised.

In addition, you can expect higher insurance rates following reinstatement, making it advisable to compare rates. You can find different quotes from different carriers at our Insurance Center.

First Time DUI With a Blood Alcohol Count (BAC) 0.10% or Greater

1. Serve your suspension time and, in some cases, prison time.
2. Pay all required fines and fees.
3. Complete required participation in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center.
4. Upon completing your suspension you'll receive in the mail a Notice of Restoration.
5. Pay a $100 restoration fee either online or at any MVC location.
6. Follow regular license renewal procedures.

Accumulating 12 or More Points on Your Driving Record

1. Serve your suspension time.
2. Pay all outstanding ticket violations.
3. Upon completing your suspension you'll receive in the mail a Notice of Restoration.
4. Pay a $100 restoration fee either online or at any MVC location.
5. Follow regular license renewal procedures.

NOTE: If you accrue 12 to 14 points within a two-year period, you can avoid suspension when you enroll in a Driver Improvement Program.

Physical/Mental Condition Disorder

1. All cases are handled on an individual basis. In order to reinstate your license you must contact the Medical Review Unit at (609) 292-7500, ext. 5032.
2. If cleared, you do not have to pay the $100 restoration fee.
3. Follow regular license renewal procedures.

Keep Your Record Clean

To avoid marring your driving record, avoid the following infractions:

Failure to Install an Ignition Interlock System

If you ignore a court order to install an ignition interlock system, you'll get hit with a one-year suspension and be charged as a disorderly person.

Lying on an Application

The state comes down hard on false data. If caught submitting false information on your license application, you can possibly face prison time, fees as high as $500, and lose your driving privileges for up to two years.

Refusing a Breath Test

The state equates refusal with having a BAC of .10%. Regardless if you're innocent or not, your license will be immediately suspended for up to one year. In addition, you may be hit with an MVC insurance surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years.

DUI

The penalties increase with each conviction. A first DUI offense will result in losing your license anywhere from three months to one year and spending up to 30 days in jail. A second DUI that occurs within 10 years of the first offense will cost you up to 90 days in jail and a two-year suspension.

Driving Without Car Insurance

Don't test this law. Insurance is mandatory. Failure to have coverage will result in a one-year suspension, fines up to $1,000, a $250 surcharge for three years, and possible community service. If you need a provider, visit our Insurance Center.

Accumulating Points on Your Driving Record

If you accumulate a total of 12 or more points on your driving record, the MVC will issue a Notice of Scheduled Suspension of your driving privilege.

Abandoning a Vehicle

If you leave your vehicle for four hours or more on or along a limited-access highway without permission, you'll face a fine of up to $500 and possibly lose your license for up to two years. Any subsequent violations could possibly result in a five-year suspension.

Hit-and-Run

Leaving a scene of an accident, especially when injury or death is involved, is a major crime. Even if you're innocent, you'll still face heavy repercussions including fines of up to $5,000, possible jail time, and loss of license for one year.

Failure to Pay Child Support

If you fail on paying six months of court-ordered child support payments, you'll lose your license until all payments are made.

Loaning Your License

If caught loaning your license to another driver, you'll get hit with fines as high as $500, possible jail time, and a suspended license.

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