New Jersey Traffic Laws: A Plain-English Guide For Drivers

Reviewed by William A. Proetta, Esq. · Updated November 2026

Most New Jersey traffic law is in Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes, the motor vehicle code. Title 39 tickets are heard in municipal court, and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) runs the license side: points, surcharges, suspensions and restoration. A few kinds of driving conduct are crimes under Title 2C, the Criminal Code, and go to Superior Court instead. This guide explains the rules drivers run into most, in plain English, with the statute behind each one.

Part 1New Jersey e-bike lawsWhich type you have, licenses, registration, insurance, where you can ride and DWIPart 2License suspensions and restorationWhy NJ suspends, what the 2019 reform changed, MVC hearings, restoring your license, driving while suspendedPart 3Car insurance requirements and driving uninsured2026 minimums, Standard vs. Basic vs. Special policies, uninsured penalties, proof of insurancePart 4What NJ law requires after a car accidentStopping, helping, exchanging information, reporting, and when leaving becomes a crimePart 5Points and surchargesThe point chart, what happens at 6 and 12 points, removing points, MVC surcharges

Traffic Ticket or Crime? How NJ Sorts Driving Offenses

Motor vehicle offense Crime
Law Title 39 (motor vehicle code) Title 2C (Criminal Code)
Court Municipal court Superior Court
Examples Speeding, careless and reckless driving, DWI, driving while suspended, driving uninsured, leaving a property-damage crash Leaving the scene of a crash causing serious injury (2C:12-1.1) or death (2C:11-5.1); driving during a second DWI suspension (2C:40-26); eluding police (2C:29-2b)
Typical consequences Fines, points, surcharges, license loss, and jail for some offenses Prison exposure measured by degree, and a criminal record

DWI is the example that surprises people. It is a Title 39 offense, not a crime, but it carries license loss, an ignition interlock, the IDRC program and, for repeat offenses, jail. Our New Jersey DWI section covers it in depth.

Who Enforces NJ Traffic Laws?

  • Municipal courts decide Title 39 tickets and set the court penalties: fines, jail where allowed, and court-ordered license loss.
  • The MVC keeps your driving record. It assesses points, bills surcharges, issues administrative suspensions, and restores licenses.
  • The Superior Court handles the driving offenses that are crimes, along with any related criminal charges.

One case can involve all three. A crash with an injury, for example, can bring a municipal court ticket for leaving the scene, MVC points and a suspension, and a criminal charge in Superior Court.

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For police encounters on the road, see New Jersey traffic stops: what police can and can’t do in our police rights guide. If you need help with a ticket in a specific county, see our traffic pages for Hudson County, Middlesex County, Union County and Ocean County.

NJ Traffic Law FAQs

Are Traffic Tickets Criminal In New Jersey?

Most are not. Title 39 motor vehicle offenses, including DWI, are heard in municipal court and are not crimes. A few driving offenses are crimes under Title 2C, such as leaving the scene of a crash that causes serious injury or death, and driving during a second or later DWI suspension.

Who Assesses Points On A NJ License?

The court assesses points when you are convicted of a New Jersey violation, and the MVC records them. For a conviction in another state, the MVC assesses the points after it receives notice.

Can The MVC Suspend My License Without A Court?

Yes. The MVC can suspend administratively, for example at 12 or more points, after mailing a notice that explains your right to a hearing. Court-ordered suspensions, such as for DWI, come from the judge instead.

Talk to a New Jersey Lawyer

If a ticket, a suspension notice or a crash has put your license or record at risk, a short review can tell you where you stand. William Proetta has over 15 years of criminal trial experience and handles traffic, DWI and criminal cases in courts across New Jersey from offices in Jersey City and Edison.

Call (201) 793-8018 or contact us online for a free, confidential review.