All moving violations in the state of New Jersey add points to your driving record. Reference the point schedule on the right to find out how many points are added per offense. When you have a total of 6 points within the last 3 years you are assessed an annual surcharge of $150. Plus $25 per additional point. These additional surcharges may apply as well.

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

If you do not pay these surcharges the DMV will suspend your driver's license until you pay them. They take this very seriously and you must pay them.

Suspended License - Your driver's license automatically gets suspended after obtaining 12 points within a 3 year period. You will be notified by mail of the suspension. Other reasons to have your license suspended in New Jersey are:

• Failure to appear in court or to pay fines
• Failure to pay surcharges
• Driving with a suspended license
• Failure to provide proof of insurance
• Physical or mental disqualification
• Drug or alcohol use while driving
• Reckless driving
• Vehicle abandonment on a public highway
• Fault in a fatal accident

A restoration fee of $100 must be paid to get your license back.

Removing Points - It is possible to earn point deductions by remaining violation and suspension-free for one year (subtracts 3 points for year of clean driving) or by taking a qualified driving courses approved by MVC (subtracts 2 points but can be used only once every 5 years). Insurance companies might not factor these deductions into your insurance rate.

Q: What should I do if I get pulled over by a police officer?

A: The first thing you should do is pull over, turn off your vehicle and put your hands on the steering wheel. Your first impression is often the key to the outcome and police officers want you to be submissive during the entire process. Wait for the office to speak and usually the first thing they will say is, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" Answer politely with something like, "No officer, I'm not sure what I did."

Allow him to state the reason for pulling you over and ask for your insurance, registration (in most states) and driver's license. Chances are they already ran your license plate and know who you are. When they tell you why he pulled you over you should repeat what he told you in a shocked voice. Something like, "Oh my goodness, really. I'm so sorry I must be loosing it as <insert excuse here>."

Good traffic ticket excuses are: My dad is in the hospital, I've been having trouble at work, my girl friend and I just got in a huge fight, I've been having migraines and can not think straight. The most important thing is to be believable and sincerely.

Next, you need to shut up and listen to what the officer says. Do not keep running your mouth and coming up with excuses. By giving him a personal excuse he can relate to you better and is more likely to empathize with you. Remember police officers are real people with real problems as well. You have a 50% chance of him letting you go at this point because you did two important things. You showed respect and you gave him a reason to let you go.

If you object to him/her by disagreeing with the reason they pulled you over then they are much more likely to write up the traffic ticket. Do not say "I wasn't going that fast" or "I made a complete stop, what do you mean". These argumentative approaches will just close the deal and give you no change of getting off. They will also make the police officer remember you and what an ass you were.

Good Luck and happy driving.