There are many reasons why you might need to get hold of your New Jersey driving record. This is why it’s important to know how to get it.
And this is why, here, we’re going to give you a complete guide on how to get a New Jersey driving record.
We’ll walk you through all the steps for each method. We’ll also tell you about the different record types, as well as how to improve and understand them.
So are you ready?
In New Jersey, driving records are referred to as driving history abstracts.
These contain information on the following:
Now, there are 3 types of driving records that you can obtain:
Let’s take a look at each one.
Non-certified records are for personal use. It cannot be used for official purposes, such as in a court.
Most people get a non-certified record to verify information or check for violations or points on their licenses.
Opposite to a non-certified record, this type is certified and will be accepted as an official document. This document can be obtained by potential employers, insurance companies, government offices, and the court.
And, as the name suggests, the record will only cover 5 years of your driving history.
This is similar to a certified five-year record. The only difference is that it will show your complete driving history, from the time your driver’s license was issued to the present.
You can get a copy of your New Jersey driving record through 3 methods, namely:
Let’s go over the steps for each method.
For complete convenience, you can get a copy of your New Jersey driving record from the comfort of your home.
Simply follow these steps:
Say you don’t have access to the internet…
Or maybe you don’t want to bother getting a User ID Number or using your credit card for online payments.
Whatever the case, you can choose to request your New Jersey driving record through the mail.
Here are the steps:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
225 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08666-0142
However, with this method, you need to wait a few days before your record arrives. So it’s a good idea to request it earlier than when you need it.
If you need your driving record right away, then you can choose to get it in person.
If so, follow these steps:
To avoid penalty fees and license suspension, you need to have a clean driving record with no (or minimal) points.
How do you do that?
The obvious answer is to not commit any moving violations. Remember, each moving violation accumulates several points.
But in case you already accumulated many points, here are ways to reduce those points and thus improve your driving record.
In New Jersey, you can receive 2 to 5 points, depending on the violation.
You can check the full list of New Jersey violations and how many points it accumulates here.
But an important thing to know is that, if you reach 6 points in 3 years, you will need to pay a penalty fee of $150. For every point received after, you need to pay an additional $25.
Now, if you accumulate 12 points within 3 years, then your license will be suspended.
So it’s important that you monitor your points by regularly checking your New Jersey driving record.
Another thing to remember is that if you are an NJ driver’s license holder and you commit a violation in another state (except Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin), you will still receive points on your license.
And that was your complete guide on how to get a New Jersey driving record.
If you need your driving record for official purposes, then you already know how to get hold of it. There’s no need to stress about it.
And also, now that you know how to obtain one, it’s a good idea to regularly check how many points you’ve accumulated. If it’s almost reaching the 6-point mark, then you might want to consider improving it.
