Simply put, your New Jersey driving record is an on-going record of traffic occurrences you’ve been involved in while behind the wheel. Whether your record is long or short, law enforcement has the power to access your driving record. Knowing what is on that form can mean the difference between small fines or warnings, and more serious charges.
Understanding your New Jersey Driving Record is also important because it can have an impact on your insurance rates, your employment ability, and with the courts. In New Jersey your driving record is referred to as your Driver History Abstract.
What Is A New Jersey Driver History Abstract?
In New Jersey your driving history is available in a document called a Driver History Abstract. It comprises all of your New Jersey moving violations, points, accidents involved, suspensions, etc. for the past five years.
In the state of New Jersey, the government doesn’t call it a “driving record”. So, if you’re perplexed as to why you can’t get your New Jersey driving record through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website, it’s because that’s not what they call it!
Who Can Access My New Jersey Driving Record?
Your New Jersey driving record can be accessed by you, an insurance company, a lawyer, the courts or other law enforcement agencies, or an employer. It is allowable, with notarized, written permission, to permit another individual to view your driving record. The state of New Jersey maintains three different types of driving records for each person.
You can view your non-certified driving record online anytime you want. Accessing your non-certified copy allows you to verify the personal information and driving history recording on your form. Insurance companies, employers, and the courts don’t accept them as official evidence of your driving history.
A certified five-year driving record can be viewed by insurance companies and employers. Moreover, a certified complete driving record is available to the courts upon request. The courts will use your certified complete driving records as part of any litigation stemming from automobile incidents.
Insurance companies base their rates on the information in your driving record. If you have convictions or violations on record, you represent a higher liability. Certified copies are used by insurance companies to assess the risk involved in providing you with coverage.
Employers use the certified copy as part of their pre-employment background checks. If you apply for a job in New Jersey, the employer is most likely going obtain a driving record on you to determine if you are a safe driver and the right candidate for the job.
It is in your best interest to review the record yearly to make sure the information it contains is accurate. If there are errors you can get them corrected before they cost you the job you are seeking or result in higher insurance premiums.
What’s On My New Jersey Driving History Abstract?
New Jersey driving records comprise information about your accidents, traffic violations, driver’s license suspensions, and fee payment history. Your New Jersey Driving History Abstract also contains detailed information about violation types and the dates they occurred, as well as information about points on your license.
In New Jersey, the history of points you receive stemming from traffic violations and accidents remains on your record permanently. Points on your record can result in higher fines/fees from law enforcement, a suspended New Jersey driver’s license, and increased insurance rates.
When you amass six or more points within a three-year period, you will be charged a minimum fine of $150. If you accumulate 12 or more points, your license will be suspended. The New Jersey driving point schedule assigns violation points from a low of 2 to a high of 8 depending on the offense.
Can I Remove Points From My New Jersey Driving Record Abstract?
Your New Jersey driving record will always have a history of your point level. That being said there are a couple of ways that you can remove points from your driver’s license in New Jersey.
- You can remove three points for maintaining a clean record for one year.
- Two points can be removed for completing defensive driving programs every five years.
- Three points can be deducted for completing driver improvement programs every two years.
- Three points can also be removed for completing any probationary driver program.
How Can I Get a Copy of My New Jersey Driving Record?
The state of New Jersey offers you three different ways to access your records: online, through the mail, or in person. If you wish to view your non-certified record or request a copy of your certified record online, you will first need to register with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and obtain a NJ MVC user ID.
Once you’ve done this, you will be able to log on to the MyMVC website to submit your request. When you log in, you’ll need to provide your user ID number, driver’s license number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Then you’ll be asked to select the type of record you want and provide a credit/debit card to pay the $15 processing fee.
If you’re not in a hurry to get your driving records you can fill out the Driver History Abstract Request form and submit it by mail to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission:
NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
Abstract Unit
225 East State Street
P.O. Box 142
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0142
And lastly, you can make a request in person at your nearest New Jersey DMV location and submit a request in person. You’ll need to complete the same request form mentioned above, provide officials with your driver’s license, and bring a form of payment along to cover the $15 fee.
As you can imagine, in this high tech world we live in, and during a pandemic, the vast majority of people prefer to take care of their request online. And, as your record will be emailed to you, online is far and away the fastest way to get it.
In Summary
It’s wise to understand what information is on your New Jersey Driving Record (Abstract) and how the infractions points system works. Your driving records can impact your ability to drive in New Jersey, what your insurance rates will be, and your ability to secure employment.
If you get a DUI or traffic ticket in New Jersey how many points end up on your record, as well as whether your license gets suspended, usually comes down to the representation of your attorney. So it’s important that work with a DUI defense attorney who’s known to provide the highest quality representation to their clients.
For 35+ years the Law Office of Steven Ellman has successfully defended thousands of DUI and Traffic Violation clients. We specialize in assertively, passionately, and successfully securing favorable verdicts for our clients. Our firm prides itself on providing honest representation, transparency, and complete disclosure to our clients, all for a reasonable fee. Contact us for your free consultation today.
