THE POINT SYSTEM

The MVC keeps track of individual driving records through a point system that assigns points to each traffic violation, moving or otherwise. The more serious the violation, the more points added to a driver’s records.

Two points will be added to driving records for offenses committed in states that belong to interstate Compacts to which New Jersey belongs.

Up to three points will be subtracted from driving records every 12 consecutive months a motorist is not convicted of an offense or suspended. A point total can never go below zero.

INTERSTATE COMPACTS

New Jersey belongs to two Interstate Compacts. Members exchange information among member states regarding traffic violations in other jurisdictions.

The Nonresident Violator Compact ensures that nonresident motorists in member states receive the same treatment as resident motorists. Motorists receiving citations in member states must fulfill the terms of that citation or face a possible home-state license suspension. Nonresident drivers have due process protection and cannot be detained out of state. Currently, 44 states and the District of Columbia are members of this compact.

Nonmember states include: Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin. This compact does not apply to parking or standing violations, highways weight limit violations and violations of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) transportation laws.

The Driver License Compact provides for the exchange of violation information among member states and the District of Columbia. Under this compact, out-of-state violations become part of the motorist’s driver record. Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin are nonmember states.