What Are Surcharges and When do They Arise?

Posted on May 6, 2008 by Tom Martin

What are Surcharges and Do They Affect Me?

Surcharges are monetary penalties  assessed by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) on a yearly basis for drivers who have been issued excessive points or committed a specific violation such as DWI. Surcharges are in addition to any court fines and penalties and are assessed by the MVC.

Why do I get surcharges?

Your motor vehicle history is checked by MVC every time points are assesed to it. If you acquire six (6) or more points within three years from your last posted violation, you will receive a $150 surcharge plus $25 for each additional point. The following is a list of surcharges that apply to specific convictions for offenses. They are...


$100 per year-driving without a license
$250 per year-driving with a suspended license
$100 per year-failure to insure a moped
$250 per year-operating an uninsured vehicle
$1,000 per year-DUI, for 3 years
$1,000 per year-Refusal to take breathalyzer test, for 3 years


If you fail to pay your surcharges, MVC will suspend your driving privileges indefinitely and take action in the State Superior Court. This can result in a police officer stopping you and charging you with driving while suspended; if you are caught operating a motor vehicle. Which in turn can lead to additional fines, suspension and surcharges.  It is required by law that if you change your address, you must notify MVC of your address change. As a practical point, this should be done any way so that if you are scheduled to be suspended, MVC will know where to serve you with written notice. This will permit you to become current with your surcharges, prior to being suspended.
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How Do Motor Vehicle Points Affect Me?

Posted on May 6, 2008 by Tom Martin

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) Points

          We have all heard, either through a driver's education class or by the angry police officer standing next to our car, that "driving isn't a right, it is a privilege." If you are found guilty or pled guilty to a traffic infraction (such as speeding, reckless driving, driving without insurance, DWI or while suspended, etc.), your privilege to drive may be revoked or suspended. This will result in fines, yearly surcharges, increases in your car insurance premiums and even jail. The severity of your actions are patrolled by the MVC using a point system. When you are convicted of certain moving violations, MVC will punish you by adding points to your driving history or abstract. As a general rule, you only get points on your record for moving violations.

How do Points Affect Me?

When you receive six (6) or more points within the previous three (3) years on your driving record, you will be assessed a yearly surcharge for three straight years. When you get twelve (12) or more points on your driving abstract, your license will be suspended. The MVC will mail you a notice of scheduled suspension by mail. When this happens you may want to contact an attorney who can eliminate the suspension or lessen the length of the proposed suspension at a MVC hearing.


How Can I Eliminate Points from My Record?

When you remain offense free for an entire year and your license is in good standing for that year, MVC will take up to a maximum of three (3) points off your motor vehicle record. There are also certain driver improvement courses that can eliminate points. However, it is best to check with the MVC to see whether you are eligible to receive a point reduction or whether the class you are taking is a qualified driving course approved by MVC.

What is the Best Way to Advoid Points?

The best way to avoid points, surcharges, license suspensions and possible penal consequences is to follow the rules of the road at all times. However, no one is perfect and things happen. If you have been stopped by a police officer and issued tickets for moving violations, you should try and obtain a free consultation with an attorney skilled in traffic and criminal law. An attorney can advise you as to your best course of action, your rights and the penalties that you are facing. Attorneys, through their education, skills and knowledge of the Courts, may be able to eliminate all of the points or eliminate the suspension or jail consequences associated with a particular offense.  
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