New Jersey Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
Typical fine ranges for the most common New Jersey traffic violations — speeding, red light, cell phone, and more. Plus how the point system works and what to do if you got a ticket.
Read This First — Ranges Only, Not Exact Amounts
The fines below are typical ranges only. Your actual fine depends on the county, the specific court, your driving history, the officer's discretion, and any local surcharges. Court costs and state assessments are added on top of the base fine and can substantially increase the total.
This page is not legal advice. If you've received a citation — especially for reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, or any criminal traffic charge — consult a licensed New Jersey attorney before doing anything else.
📋Common New Jersey Violations & Typical Fines
Most-searched violations in New Jersey. All amounts include the typical base fine; court costs and state surcharges are added on top and vary by county.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 1–14 MPH over 2 points | $85–$95 |
Speeding 15–29 MPH over 4 points | $95–$200 |
Speeding 30+ MPH over Doubled in school and active construction zones. 5 points | $200–$260 |
Running a red light 2 points | $85–$140 |
Running a stop sign 2 points | $85–$140 |
Seat belt violation | $46–$50 |
Hand-held cell phone (1st offense) $400–$600 second offense; $600–$800 third offense (3 points added on 3rd). | $200–$400 |
Driving without insurance Plus 1-year license suspension and 30 days of community service for a first offense. | $300–$1,000 |
🎯How New Jersey's Point System Works
NJ MVC assigns 2–8 points per moving violation. New Jersey deducts 3 points after 1 year of violation-free driving from the date of last conviction.
12+ active points results in license suspension. New Jersey also imposes a Surcharge of $100–$250/year for 3 years on drivers who accumulate 6+ points in 3 years (this is in addition to the original ticket fine).
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
NJ Defensive Driving Course removes 2 points from your record (once every 5 years) and can also reduce auto-insurance rates. Course costs $25–$60.
🛡️The Hidden Cost: Auto Insurance
The fine on the ticket is often the smaller half of what a moving violation costs you. In most cases, a single ticket can raise your auto-insurance premium by 20%–40% for the next 3 years — frequently adding $300–$1,500+ in extra premiums, depending on your insurer, your prior record, and your state's rating rules.
Talk to your insurance agent before deciding whether to pay or contest a ticket — they can usually tell you the actual rate impact, which often makes traffic school (where eligible) the obvious choice even if the fine itself is small.
📝If You Got a New Jersey Ticket — Three Steps
- 1
Read the citation carefully — don't miss the deadline
Every New Jersey citation has a court date or response deadline (often 20–30 days). Missing it usually means an automatic guilty finding, additional fees, and a possible bench warrant. Note the court name, the violation code, and the deadline — they're all printed on the ticket.
- 2
Decide: pay, contest, or take traffic school
For minor non-moving violations (parking, expired tags), paying is often the cheapest path. For moving violations that add points or insurance impact, traffic school (where eligible) is often the better total-cost choice. Contesting makes sense when you have evidence the citation is wrong, when the consequences are severe, or when an attorney advises it.
- 3
For serious charges, talk to a New Jersey attorney
Reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene — these are criminal charges in New Jersey, not traffic infractions. They carry possible jail time, license revocation, and long-term consequences. Many traffic-defense attorneys offer free initial consultations; the cost of representation is almost always less than the cost of mishandling a serious charge alone.
🔗Official New Jersey Sources
For exact, current penalties for your specific situation, check the official sources below — these are the same sources New Jersey courts and law enforcement use:
💰Also Worth Knowing: New Jersey License Cost
See the complete cost breakdown for getting a New Jersey driver's license — permit fees, license fees, REAL ID, driver education, and the hidden costs no one tells you about.
View New Jersey License Cost BreakdownNeed Your New Jersey Driver's License?
Get the complete step-by-step New Jersey driver's license guide — requirements, documents, road test tips, fees, and FAQs.
Full New Jersey Driver's License GuideThis page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Traffic-fine amounts vary by county, court, prior record, and the specific circumstances of each case. Court costs, state surcharges, and assessments are routinely added on top of the base fines listed here and can substantially increase the total amount owed.
Information is sourced from publicly available New Jersey statutes and DMV publications and may not reflect the most recent amendments. Always verify current penalties at the official New Jersey source before relying on any number on this page. For any criminal traffic charge — including DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or driving on a suspended license — consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.
DriveGuideUSA.com is not affiliated with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC), any New Jersey court, or any law enforcement agency.