Pay Traffic Ticket in New Jersey

SUMMARY: How to Pay a New Jersey Traffic Ticket

Depending on your violation, you may be able to pay your traffic ticket fines online, by mail, or in person.

Both your NJ traffic ticket and the appropriate court can provide details on payment options (as well as any additional surcharges), and we've outlined these and other processes below.

Keep reading this page to learn about paying your traffic ticket fines in New Jersey.

Pay Ticket
(Plead Guilty)

  • Pay the fine.
  • Accumulate driving record points.
  • Risk license suspension (depending on points, violation).
  • Possibly experience higher auto insurance rates.
  • Enroll in driving course to offset points and possibly get an auto insurance discount.

Learn more below

Fight Ticket
(Plead Not Guilty)

  • Contest the ticket during a hearing.
  • Hire a traffic ticket lawyer or represent yourself.
  • Face no penalties if found not guilty.
  • Appeal the guilty verdict (if applicable).

Learn more about
Fighting Your Traffic Ticket »

Pleading Guilty to Your NJ Traffic Ticket

Paying your NJ traffic ticket outright is the equivalent of admitting guilt; you plead "guilty" and send your money to the appropriate municipal court.

Pleading “guilty" and paying your traffic ticket means:

  • You can conveniently pay your fine online or by mail UNLESS your ticket is marked “Court Appearance Required."
    • Most all tickets have a “Notice to Appear" section. This section doesn't mean you must appear in court; only the “Court Appearance Required" area means you must appear.
  • Not only must you pay your traffic ticket fine, but also pay any other related fines, surcharges, and penalties depending on your traffic violation.
    • Your ticket provides a “Notice to Appear" section. You must pay your fines and fees by this date or you'll receive a “Failure to Appear" notice with information about additional consequences, including but not limited to license suspension and an arrest warrant.
  • Your driving record will show the violation and associated number of points.
    • You might be able to complete a state-approved defensive driving course to reduce those points.
    • Depending on the number of points, you could be at risk for license suspension.
  • Your car insurance provider might increase your rates.
    • Sometimes, completing a defensive driving school qualifies you for a discount.

Pleading Guilty as a CDL Driver

In addition to having to inform your employer within 30 days of a violation conviction (regardless of the vehicle they were driving or the state they were ticketed), as a New Jersey CDL holder, you often face harsher penalties than other drivers.

For example, some violations lead to temporary CDL suspension or permanent revocation, impairing their income and even employment opportunities.

For more information, refer to the state's Commercial Driver License Manual.

How to Pay Your NJ Traffic Ticket

Unless your ticket is marked “Court Appearance Required," you can go ahead and pay your ticket fine online, by mail, or in person. If you must make a court appearance, the court will explain your payment options.

Note that:

  • You must pay your fine by the date marked in the “Notice to Appear" section; otherwise, you face additional, more severe penalties.
  • You'll need your traffic ticket to pay your fine. Refer to Lost Traffic Tickets in New Jersey if you've misplaced your citation.

Pay New Jersey Traffic Ticket Online

Visit NJMCdirect to pay your NJ traffic ticket online.

Be prepared to:

  • Enter specific traffic ticket and vehicle information.
  • Pay your fine—in addition to any extra fees, including a convenience fee—with a major credit card listed on the website.

Other Payment Methods

Other payment methods include paying by mail or in person.

  • By mail:
    • Mail a check or money order for the amount listed on the ticket to the court listed on the ticket.
    • Make the check or money order payable to the municipal court listed on the ticket, and print the citation number on the check or money order.
  • In person:
    • Visit the municipal court listed on your traffic ticket with the fine amount. Be prepared to pay any additional court costs or fees.
    • Before you head out, contact the court to ask about acceptable payment methods; they vary by court.

Traffic School & NJ Tickets

In New Jersey, pleading "guilty" means accumulating driving record points, but you can offset these points by completing a New Jersey state-approved defensive driving course. You can enroll once every 5 years to have 2 points taken off your NJ driving record.

Visit our Defensive Driving section to learn more about reducing your driving record points.

Check Your NJ Driving Record

In New Jersey, you may want to keep tabs on your driving record to make sure:

  • You received only the applicable number of points after pleading "guilty."
  • The defensive driving course you completed removed 2 points from your record.

We can help you order your driving record today.

Assess Your NJ Auto Insurance Rates

It's likely your New Jersey auto insurance provider will increase your rates after being convicted of a NJ traffic violation. You'll see this increase once it's time to renew your policy.

To avoid any surprises, contact your insurance agent and find out:

  • What, if any, kind of increase you can expect.
  • Whether your provider will give you a discount for completing a defensive driving course.

If you find out your rates will increase and your provider won't offer a discount, start comparing policy rates online to find a more affordable plan.

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