(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)

There is a difference between having your New Jersey driver’s license suspended and having it revoked.

• A suspension means you cannot drive for a certain period of time, but can get your license back later.
• A revocation of your license means your driver’s license is cancelled, and you will need to submit to an investigation before you can obtain another license.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on license suspensions / revocations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums. It is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice. Additionally, you will face Heavy Fines and Reinstatement Fees, and Points on your driver’s license! All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact Ticket Counsel absolutely FREE!!!

There are a variety of reasons why your New Jersey driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a New Jersey driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of New Jersey operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 6 or more points on your current driver record, you will be assessed a surcharge. If you accumulate 12 or more points, your license will be suspended.
• Driving Under the Influence: Your New Jersey driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (BAC of 0.08% or more). If you get arrested for a DUI in New Jersey, you are required to take a breathalyzer test. If you refuse a chemical test, your license will be suspended. You will also be subject to the following: Jail time, installation of an ignition interlock device, fines, fees, related surcharges, and community service. The period of license suspension and amount of your surcharges will vary depending on the circumstances of your infraction. These determining factors are: Your BAC level, additional DUI convictions, driving with an open container, driving with possession of drugs. Anyone convicted of an alcohol related traffic offense is required to complete an Intoxicated Driver Program (IDP). See below for more info.

For more information about specific DUI-related surcharges, please refer to our DUI/DWI in New Jersey page.

• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving. You will have to pay $100 if you’re caught driving without a license, and $250 if you have a suspended license.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in New Jersey must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your New Jersey driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The Motor Vehicle Commission Chief Administrator can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Motor Vehicle Commission notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.
• Subsequent Violations: If you commit further offenses once your license has been restored, it will be suspended again for the following periods of time:
• 1st offense within:
  • 6 months: 90 days.
  • 7 to 9 months: 60 days.
  • 10 to 12 months: 45 days.
• 2nd offense (and subsequent) within:
  • 6 months: 180 days.
  • 7 to 9 months: 120 days.
  • 10 to 12 months: 90 days.
• Penalties for Drivers Younger than 21: If you’re younger than 21 and caught driving with a BAC of 0.01% or higher, you face: License suspension for 30 to 90 days, Community service for 15 to 30 days, as well as alcohol education and highway safety program participation. These penalties are in addition to a possible combination of the same fines and penalties drivers 21 years old and older face (see above).

NOTE: If you receive 3 suspensions within a 3-year period, NJ will label you a “habitual offender” and you could lose your license for as many as 3 years.

The MVC or court requires drivers with probationary licenses to enroll in the Probationary Driver Programs (PDP) if they accumulate 4 or more points due to 2 or more traffic violations during the 2-year probationary period. Visit our Defensive Driving section to learn more about these programs and other courses for reducing points.

Having your New Jersey driver’s license suspended is a serious matter, and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. The most important things to be aware of following a license suspension are:

• If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. You can surrender your license in person at a Regional Service Center, or mail it to: Motor Vehicle Commission

Driver Management Bureau

P.O. Box 134

Trenton, New Jersey 08650

• While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to 5 years, and the length of your suspension may be increased.

After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the New Jersey MVC.

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

You will receive a Notice of Restoration from the MVC after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back. Generally, you will need to:

• Pay a restoration fee of $100. The fee can be paid online or in person at a Regional Service Center. You can also mail a check or money order payable to:

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

P.O. Box 140

Trenton, NJ 08650-0140

• Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.

Note that after you license is restored, you will be subject to a Mandatory Probation Period of 1 year, during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your New Jersey driver’s license.

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. You must inform your employer within 30 days of traffic ticket conviction. In New Jersey, if you violate a traffic law, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and courts may suspend your commercial driver’s license (CDL). You may also face fines, penalties, legal fees, a permanent revocation, or even imprisonment. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the following CDL penalties:

Major Offenses:

If you are convicted of any of the following violations, you’ll lose your CDL for 1 year:

• Driving any vehicle with a BAC of .08% or higher.
• Refusing to submit to a sobriety test.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Commission of a felony with the vehicle.
• Driving a CMV with a suspended, revoked, or canceled CDL.
• Negligent driving that results in a fatality.

Serious Offenses:

• Excessive speeding and reckless driving.
• Improperly changing lanes.
• Following too closely behind another vehicle.
• Operating a CMV without holding a CDL.
• Operating a CMV without having your CDL in your possession.
• Operating a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement.
• Violating a state law of texting while driving.

You’ll lose your driving privileges for 60 days if you receive a 2nd conviction, and 120 days for a 3rd conviction.

Endorsement Suspensions:

The MVC can suspend or revoke your existing passenger (P) endorsement if your medical, criminal, or driver history shows any of the following:

• Failure to provide proof of 3 years of driving experience.
• 12 points or more on your driver record.
• A DUI conviction.
• An offense involving deviant or illicit social behavior.
• Using or threatening bodily force, or any crime or offense indicative of bad moral character.
• A diabetic condition.
• A serious heart condition.
• Medical condition that may cause loss of consciousness.
• Failure to meet vision standards.

You will receive a notice of suspension, and you may request a conference to contest the decision.

Additional Violations For Suspension:

• Accumulating too many points on your driver record.
• Failing to provide proof of NJ car insurance.
• License disqualifications and related fines for violating out-of-service orders.
• Violating railroad-highway grade crossings.

Visit the FMCSA website for information regarding federal regulations and penalties.

NOTE: By law, you are required to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after receiving a CDL disqualification notice.

If you are convicted of a DUI while driving a commercial vehicle, the penalties can range anywhere from a 1-year suspension to being revoked for life. If you are driving a passenger vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, you will be charged with a DUI and your CDL will be suspended:

• 1st offense: 1-year CDL suspension, plus 3 to 12 month basic driver license suspension.
• 2nd offense: Permanent CDL revocation, plus 2-year suspension of your basic driver’s license.

You may also face additional court convictions, which may include: Additional suspensions, jail time, mandatory community service, and added fines.

For more information, contact the New Jersey MVC’s CDL Unit at (609) 292-7500, extension 5077.

NOTE: Your CDL can also be suspended or revoked if you commit a traffic violation in a non-commercial vehicle.

If you are convicted of an alcohol-related traffic offense, you MUST complete an Intoxicated Driver Program (IDP) at an Intoxicated Driving Resource Center (IDRC). Failure to complete the program may result in additional license suspension time and even jail time. As part of the IDP, you will need to complete mandatory Alcohol and Highway Safety Education courses. You may also need to undertake drug/alcohol treatment if the IDRC finds it necessary.

For more information about the Intoxicated Driver Program, visit the NJ MVC website.

To restore your CDL, you must fulfill the NJ MVC requirements, your court summons (if applicable), and submit proof you have paid all fines to the MVC. Once your CDL suspension period has elapsed, you will receive a “Notice of Restoration” within 7 to 10 business days. Once you have received this notice, you will need to pay a $100 fee to reinstate your CDL.

You can pay:

• Online: (a credit card convenience fee will be applied).
• In person: at one of the following New Jersey MVC offices: Newark, Paterson, Wayne, Trenton, Eatontown, or West Deptford.
• By mail: by sending a check or money order to: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, 
P.O. Box 140, 
Trenton, NJ 08650-0140

For additional restoration requirements, please refer to your suspension notice or contact the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.

FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR NEW JERSEY CDL

It will cost you $100 to restore your suspended commercial driver’s license in New Jersey. You may also need to pay additional court fines/penalties depending on your offense. Please check your suspension notice to check your reinstatement requirements.

Accepted Payment Methods

• Online: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card.
• In person: VISA, MasterCard, or American Express credit/debit cards, check, money order, cash.
• By mail: Check or money order.