Does a careless driving ticket add points to my license?

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If you receive a careless driving ticket in New Jersey, you may be wondering how it will impact your driving record. One of the biggest concerns for drivers is whether the violation will add points to their license, potentially leading to higher insurance rates and other consequences. In this article, we will explore how points work for a

Careless Driving Ticket New Jersey and what you can do to minimize the impact.

Understanding Careless Driving in New Jersey

Careless driving is defined under N.J.S.A. 39:4-97 as operating a vehicle “without due caution and circumspection, in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger a person or property.” Unlike reckless driving, which involves willful disregard for safety, careless driving is generally seen as unintentional but still negligent.

This broad definition means that a careless driving ticket can be issued for a variety of reasons, such as:

Failing to pay attention to road conditions

Driving too fast for weather conditions

Minor traffic infractions that cause an accident

Distracted driving, such as using a phone without hands-free capability

How Many Points Does a Careless Driving Ticket Add?

In New Jersey, a careless driving ticket adds two points to your driving record. While this may not seem like a lot, accumulating points can lead to serious consequences.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) assigns points for various moving violations, and if you accumulate:

Six or more points within three years, you will be required to pay a surcharge.

12 or more points, your driver’s license may be suspended.

Additionally, points on your record can cause a significant increase in your car insurance premiums. Insurance companies view drivers with points as higher risk, which often results in higher rates.

Can You Reduce or Remove Points?

There are several ways to reduce the impact of a careless driving ticket on your record:

Plead Not Guilty and Fight the Ticket – You can contest the ticket in municipal court, and if successful, avoid the points altogether. Hiring an attorney can improve your chances of getting the charge dismissed or reduced.

Negotiate a Plea Deal – In some cases, the prosecutor may agree to downgrade your charge to a lesser offense, such as an “unsafe driving” violation, which carries no points but may have higher fines.

Take a Defensive Driving Course – New Jersey allows drivers to remove two points from their record every five years by completing a state-approved defensive driving course.

Wait for Points to Expire – Although points stay on your record permanently, New Jersey reduces your point total by three points for every year of violation-free driving.

Conclusion

Yes, a careless driving ticket in New Jersey does add two points to your driving record. While this may not immediately result in severe penalties, accumulating points over time can lead to surcharges, license suspension, and higher insurance costs.

Fortunately, there are ways to fight or minimize the impact of a careless driving ticket, such as challenging the ticket in court, negotiating a plea deal, or taking a defensive driving course. If you receive a careless driving ticket, it’s important to understand your options and take action to protect your driving record.