This chapter explains that driving in New Jersey is a privilege, not a right — state law allows a driver's license to be suspended (taken away for a set period) for a wide range of violations, from unpaid parking tickets to at-fault fatal crashes. How long a suspension lasts depends on the offense and how many prior convictions a driver has. A motorist whose license has been suspended three times within three years is classified as a "habitual offender."
The most heavily tested material is Driving Under the Influence (DUI): a BAC of 0.08% or higher (or 0.01% for drivers under 21) can lead to a first-offense license suspension, mandatory participation in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC), fines, and — depending on the BAC level — installation of an ignition interlock device. Refusing a breath test carries its own suspension and surcharge, separate from a DUI conviction itself.
The chapter also covers the point system: convictions for moving violations add points to a driver's record, and accumulating 6 or more points within 3 years triggers a violation surcharge, while 12 or more points in 24 months can trigger a scheduled suspension notice. A common mistake is treating points, fines, and surcharges as the same penalty — they are separate consequences that can all apply to a single conviction. Defensive driving courses can remove points, but only once every five years.
What BAC counts as driving under the influence in New Jersey?⌄
0.08% or higher for drivers 21 and older; for drivers under 21, a BAC of 0.01% or higher is a violation.
What makes someone a "habitual offender" in New Jersey?⌄
A motorist whose driver license has been suspended three times within three years.
How many points before a driver risks a suspension notice?⌄
Accumulating between 12 and 14 or more points within a 24-month period triggers a Notice of Scheduled Suspension from the MVC.