Speeding Ticket Points: Impact On Insurance Rates In New Jersey

Speeding tickets can have a significant impact on insurance rates in New Jersey. While insurance companies do not always use points to calculate a surcharge, drivers with speeding tickets may experience an increase in their car insurance premiums. The number of points placed on a driving record after a speeding ticket depends on how fast the driver was going. Speeding one to 14 mph over the limit results in two points, 15 to 29 mph can result in four points, and 30 mph or higher will result in five points. These points can lead to higher insurance rates and even license suspension. In addition to the points, the cost of a speeding ticket can vary based on how many mph the driver exceeded the speed limit. After a speeding ticket, the average insurance costs in New Jersey rise significantly, with an increase of 23% for minimum coverage and 13% for full coverage.

Speeding ticket cost and insurance increase

Speeding tickets are a common occurrence, but they can have a significant impact on your finances. Not only do they usually come with civil fines, but they can also cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket. This is because insurance companies consider their risk when determining your rate, and past infractions suggest that you are more likely to file claims in the future.

In New Jersey, the number of points added to your driving record after a speeding ticket depends on how fast you were driving over the speed limit. Speeding one to 14 mph over the limit results in two points, 15 to 29 mph over the limit results in four points, and 30 mph or higher results in five points. These points can lead to a license suspension and will likely result in higher car insurance rates.

The cost of a speeding ticket in New Jersey can vary based on how many miles per hour a driver exceeded the speed limit. As of March 2025, a driver with a clean record pays around $1,172 for state-mandated minimum coverage and $2,938 for full coverage. After a speeding ticket, these costs increase by about 23% and 13%, respectively, resulting in average premiums of $1,440 for minimum coverage and $3,309 for full coverage.

While one speeding ticket can increase your insurance rates, multiple tickets can cause rates to skyrocket. Additionally, if you accumulate too many tickets within a short period, you may be labelled a risky driver and need to acquire additional costly coverage. In New Jersey, drivers with a speeding ticket pay around $2,799 on average for car insurance. However, this can vary depending on the driver's age, location, and the number of tickets they have received.

To mitigate the impact of a speeding ticket on your insurance costs, you can compare quotes from different insurance companies, as rates can vary significantly between carriers. You may also be able to take advantage of discounts, such as bundling multiple insurance policies or paying your premium in full. Additionally, maintaining a safe driving record after the infraction can help reduce your insurance costs over time.

Points on driving record and insurance

In New Jersey, the number of points placed on your driving record after a speeding ticket depends on how fast you were driving over the speed limit. Speeding one to 14 mph over the limit results in two points, 15 to 29 mph over the limit can give you four points, and you can expect five points after a speeding conviction of 30 mph or higher.

While insurance companies do not always use points to calculate a surcharge, and if they do, they are not the same as speeding ticket points, New Jersey drivers may still experience an increase in their car insurance premiums after a speeding ticket. This is because insurers consider their risk when determining your rate, and past infractions mean you are more likely to file claims in the future.

In New Jersey, if you accrue more than six eligibility points, you can no longer shop on the voluntary market, where insurers choose who they cover based on risk. Instead, high-risk drivers must use the high-risk PAIP program. Major violations, including DUI and leaving the scene of an accident, will put anyone into a high-risk category.

License points can only be earned by committing violations behind the wheel, meaning you will not earn any points for driving without insurance. However, driving without insurance or with a suspended license will lead to a $250-per-year surcharge and other punishments. A DUI will not lead to points on your license, but it does come with charges of $1,000 per year for each of the first two and $1,500 per year after that, as well as a $3,000 surcharge from the State and insurance company surcharges of a similar amount.

Car insurance points are recorded on the insurance company's internal record and do not affect your official driving record with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). However, points that you receive on your official driving record can affect your insurance company record. For example, if you are convicted of "reckless driving" in the State of New Jersey, the MVC will likely assign five points to your license, and your insurance company will likely add a certain number of points to their internal record of your driving history.

License suspension and insurance

In New Jersey, a driver's license can be suspended for a variety of reasons, including accumulating 12 or more points on their driving record within three years. Other reasons for license suspension include driving without insurance, DUI violations, or having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

When a license is suspended, the driver must complete the suspension period and pay any associated fines and fees. In New Jersey, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will send a notice of scheduled suspension by mail, and the driver will need to pay a $100 restoration fee to reinstate their license. The MVC keeps a permanent record of all the points earned by a driver, and it is possible to earn point deductions by remaining violation-free for a year or by taking approved driving courses.

License suspension can also impact a driver's insurance. After a license suspension, a driver may face challenges in obtaining insurance from a major provider and may need to turn to non-standard or high-risk insurance companies, resulting in higher insurance rates. Additionally, insurance companies may assign points to their internal records, which can further influence future insurance costs.

While a license suspension itself does not directly result in points, the underlying violations that led to the suspension can result in points on a driver's record. These points, whether from the MVC or insurance companies, can contribute to higher insurance rates. It is important to note that insurance companies have their own systems for assigning points, and these points are separate from those on a driver's official driving record.

In summary, license suspension in New Jersey involves completing the suspension period, paying fines and fees, and potentially facing challenges in obtaining insurance or experiencing increased insurance rates due to points accumulated on driving records and internal insurance company records.

DUI and insurance

A DUI (Driving under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs) in New Jersey will trigger a substantial increase in your auto insurance premium. The average yearly increase in auto insurance costs after a DUI conviction in New Jersey is $1,181, which is 7% more than the national average.

The exact repercussions of a DUI conviction depend on how intoxicated you were, where you were driving, and your age. For example, drivers under the age of 21 cannot have a blood alcohol content of 0.01% or more. If convicted with a BAC in this range, an underage driver will face fines of up to $400, or up to $500 if their BAC is higher than 0.10%$100 victim's fund fee and Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund, $75 to the Neighborhood Services Fund, and attend an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) Program for 6 hours per day for 2 consecutive days. Their license will be suspended for 3 months or up to a year if their BAC is higher than 0.10%ignition interlock device for 3 months or 7 months if their BAC was higher than 0.10%, or up to 15 months if it was 0.15% or higher.

In addition to these penalties, a DUI will result in a $3,000 surcharge from the state for first and second offenders, which is matched by a surcharge from the driver's insurance company. A DUI will also result in a license suspension, which is built into the statute and not assessed via points. A DUI will also put you into the high-risk category for insurance, and you will have to purchase insurance through a high-risk company, which means much higher rates.

While a DUI will remain on your driving record forever, you can take steps to lower your insurance rates over time. For example, you can complete a Driver Improvement Program to reduce points, although this can only be done once every two years. You can also compare insurance policies to find the most cost-effective option.

Removing points from driving record

In New Jersey, the number of points placed on your driving record after a speeding ticket depends on how fast you were driving over the speed limit. Speeding one to 14 mph over the limit results in two points, 15 to 29 mph over the limit can give you four points, and you can expect five points after a speeding conviction of 30 mph or higher.

The accumulation of points on your driving record can lead to surcharges, higher insurance premiums, and the loss of your driving privileges. If you accrue more than six points, you can no longer shop in the voluntary market, where insurers choose who they cover based on risk. Instead, you will have to purchase insurance through a high-risk company, resulting in much higher rates. If you accumulate 12 or more points, your license will be suspended.

To remove points from your driving record, you can:

• Enroll in a New Jersey driver improvement program or a probationary driver program, which can remove up to three points.
• Complete a Defensive Driving Program, which removes two points from your record. This program is completely voluntary and can be used once every five years.
• Maintain a safe driving record for a year with no violations or suspensions to remove three points from your record.
• Fight your traffic ticket in court, depending on the circumstances.

Frequently asked questions