The most useful detail on a New Jersey traffic ticket is often the statute number. A description such as “failure to yield” can refer to different driving duties, while a number such as 39:4-90 identifies the specific law charged. That distinction helps you check points, understand possible penalties, and determine whether paying the ticket is even an option.
This reference organizes common NJ traffic ticket codes by category. It separates fines from payable ticket totals and flags charges that need particular attention. Before making a payment, match the complete statute number, including any subsection, to your ticket and confirm the court’s instructions.
Why the Statute Number Matters Before You Pay
NJ traffic ticket fines are only one part of a ticket’s consequences. A conviction may also bring Motor Vehicle Commission points, insurance consequences, surcharges, or a license suspension. Certain offenses carry possible jail time even though they are handled in municipal court.
Paying a payable traffic ticket generally means pleading guilty. It does not simply close an administrative bill. If the offense carries points, paying the ticket does not prevent those points from being assessed.
Four separate concepts matter:
- Payable amount: The amount accepted to resolve an eligible ticket without a court hearing, generally including the scheduled fine and applicable costs.
- Court-imposed fine: A financial penalty set by a judge within the law’s limits. It may not include every additional assessment.
- MVC points: Driving-record points assigned for specified convictions, separate from the money owed.
- Additional penalties: Consequences such as surcharges, suspension, community service, or incarceration, depending on the offense.
The New Jersey Courts municipal court resources provide access to court procedures and violations bureau schedules. Use the applicable current schedule and your court record, not an older fine chart, to confirm a payable amount.
New Jersey Traffic Violations by Statute and Category
The charts below are a reference to common NJ traffic violation codes, not a complete list of every offense. Points reflect the offense of conviction, which may differ from the original charge if a case is amended.
Fine-column key: “Check schedule” means the current scheduled payable total is not verified here. It does not mean the fine is zero or that online payment is permitted. Dollar ranges labeled “statutory” are legal fine ranges, not verified all-inclusive payment amounts.
Appearance-column key: “Possible” means the charge, ticket designation, related allegations, or court instructions may require an appearance. “Required” identifies an offense that should not be treated as an ordinary pay-and-close ticket. Always follow a court appearance notice.
The points entries can be checked against the official NJ MVC moving-violation points schedule. Zero points does not mean zero consequences.
Speeding and Driving Conduct
| Violation | NJ statute | Fine or scheduled amount | MVC points | Court appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding, 1-14 mph over the limit | 39:4-98 | Check schedule; speed and location matter | 2 | Possible |
| Speeding, 15-29 mph over the limit | 39:4-98 | Check schedule; speed and location matter | 4 | Possible |
| Speeding, 30 mph or more over the limit | 39:4-98 | Check schedule; speed and location matter | 5 | Possible |
| Careless driving | 39:4-97 | Check schedule | 2 | Possible |
| Reckless driving | 39:4-96 | Statutory first offense: $50-$200 | 5 | Required |
| Following too closely | 39:4-89 | Check schedule | 5 | Possible |
| Improper passing | 39:4-85 | Check schedule | 4 | Possible |
| Passing in a no-passing zone | 39:4-86 | Check schedule | 4 | Possible |
An NJ speeding ticket requires two separate checks: how far over the limit the officer alleges you were traveling, and where the alleged violation occurred. The point bands above do not establish the payable fine bands. Special-location rules can increase NJ speeding ticket fines, so do not calculate the amount from points alone.
Careless and reckless driving also are not interchangeable. Careless driving generally concerns driving without due caution in a way that endangers, or is likely to endanger, people or property. Reckless driving involves willful or wanton disregard for safety and carries possible incarceration. Its relatively low first-offense fine range should not be mistaken for a minor overall penalty.
Signals, Right-of-Way, and Lane Movement
| Violation | NJ statute | Fine or scheduled amount | MVC points | Court appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to obey a traffic signal, including a red light | 39:4-81 | Check schedule | 2 | Possible |
| Failure to stop at a stop sign | 39:4-144 | Check schedule | 2 | Possible |
| Failure to yield at an intersection | 39:4-90 | Check schedule | 2 | Possible |
| Failure to yield when entering from a private road or driveway | 39:4-66 | Check schedule | 2 | Possible |
| Failure to stop or yield for a pedestrian as required | 39:4-36 | Check applicable subsection | 2 | Possible |
| Improper lane use or unsafe lane change | 39:4-88 | Check schedule | 2 | Possible |
| Failure to signal appropriately before turning or moving | 39:4-126 | Check schedule | 2 | Possible |
| Improper turn at an intersection | 39:4-123 | Check schedule | 3 | Possible |
| Improper passing of a school bus | 39:4-128.1 | Statutory minimum: $100; other penalties possible | 5 | Required |
Broad labels can hide important differences. A stop-sign ticket and a red-light ticket usually cite different statutes, even though both involve traffic controls. Likewise, “failure to yield” should be matched to the actual intersection, driveway, or pedestrian provision rather than treated as one universal charge.
A related roadside-safety rule deserves attention. The New Jersey Legislature’s enacted stationary-vehicle law, P.L. 2025, Chapter 248, addresses duties when approaching covered stationary vehicles and specifies a $100-$500 fine for violating that section. This is a statutory range, not a verified payable total. Match any such ticket to its exact provision and current court instructions.
Cellphone and Electronic-Device Use
Handheld-device charges require a separate review of prior offenses. The New Jersey Attorney General’s distracted-driving enforcement notice identifies escalating fine ranges and states that all violations require a mandatory court appearance. Those fine ranges appear below, rather than an assumed online payment amount.
| Violation | NJ statute | Statutory fine, not payable total | MVC points | Court appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited handheld-device use, first offense | 39:4-97.3 | $200-$400 | 0 | Required |
| Prohibited handheld-device use, second offense | 39:4-97.3 | $400-$600 | 0 | Required |
| Prohibited handheld-device use, third or subsequent offense | 39:4-97.3 | $600-$800 | 3 | Required |
Do not assume a ticket is minor because the first two offense levels carry no MVC points. Prior-offense treatment and any additional consequences should be checked before entering a plea.
License, Registration, and Insurance Offenses
| Violation | NJ statute | Fine or scheduled amount | MVC points | Court appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driving while suspended or revoked | 39:3-40 | Statutory base fines: $500 first, $1,000 second, $1,500 third or subsequent | 0 | Required |
| Driving without a valid license | 39:3-10 | Check exact charge and applicable penalty | 0 | Required |
| Failure to possess required documents | 39:3-29 | Check schedule and document involved | 0 | Possible |
| Operating an unregistered vehicle | 39:3-4 | Check schedule | 0 | Possible |
| Operating without required liability insurance | 39:6B-2 | Statutory first offense: $300-$1,000 | 0 | Required |
Driving while suspended is especially sensitive to the reason for the suspension, prior convictions, and surrounding circumstances. The base fine does not describe the full exposure. Additional suspension, incarceration, or separate criminal charges may be possible in qualifying circumstances.
Also distinguish not carrying proof from not having the underlying credential or coverage. A missing insurance card is not automatically the same charge as operating an uninsured vehicle. Bring supporting records to counsel or the court, but do not assume producing a document automatically dismisses the ticket.
Questions That Change How You Read NJ Traffic Fines and Points
Does a Fine Range Tell You What to Pay?
No. A statutory range tells you the fine authorized by law for a particular offense level. A scheduled payable amount serves a different purpose: it allows eligible charges to be resolved through the violations bureau without a hearing.
Court costs and assessments can make the amount due different from the fine alone. Multiple tickets also create separate issues. Confirm each charge rather than assuming one payment resolves everything from the stop.
Does “Zero Points” Protect Your License?
No. Points are only one route to licensing consequences. Driving while suspended and insurance violations illustrate why a zero-point entry cannot be read as a low-risk rating.
Point-bearing convictions can create cumulative problems, too. The MVC identifies 12 or more points on the current driving record as a suspension threshold. For a fuller explanation of accumulation, reductions, and licensing risks, see Joseph Horn’s guide to the New Jersey MVC points schedule.
Insurance companies assess driving history under their own rating practices. A court resolution with fewer MVC points does not guarantee that insurance premiums will remain unchanged.
Can Every Ticket Be Paid Through NJMCdirect?
No. Online payment is available only for eligible matters. A mandatory appearance, disputed charge, or other restriction can prevent ordinary payment processing.
New Jersey traffic ticket penalties also depend on facts that a short chart cannot capture. Injuries, prior convictions, commercial driving privileges, and the circumstances of the alleged conduct can change the practical stakes. When several offenses arise from one stop, evaluate them together before resolving any single ticket.
How to Locate Your Statute and Check Your Ticket
Find the Charge, Not Just the Ticket Number
Look for a field labeled “Statute,” “Statute/Ordinance,” or similar wording near the violation description. Traffic statutes commonly begin with “39:”. Copy the entire entry, including decimal numbers, letters, or subsections.
The ticket number is different. It identifies your particular summons, while the statute identifies the law allegedly violated. The court ID identifies the municipal court handling the matter. You may need all three pieces of information when asking questions.
Also locate the appearance date, response instructions, and any court-appearance-required marking. A reference chart cannot override those directions.
Use the Official NJ Traffic Ticket Lookup
Start with the judiciary’s official municipal court self-help page and follow its NJMCdirect link. Using the court’s own pathway helps avoid unofficial payment services.
- Gather identifying information. Have the court ID, ticket prefix and number, and license plate information available.
- Match the result carefully. Check the defendant information, court, offense, and ticket number before proceeding.
- Review the available options. Look for the amount due, payment eligibility, and any court instructions.
- Pause before payment. If you intend to dispute the charge or need advice about consequences, do not treat payment as a placeholder.
- Save confirmation records. Keep copies of submissions, receipts, and court communications.
If a new ticket does not appear, do not assume it was dismissed. Contact the municipal court named on the summons to confirm its status and your response obligation. If information appears inconsistent, ask the court to clarify it before the deadline.
Prepare for a Useful Attorney Consultation
Speaking with a traffic attorney may be beneficial when a charge threatens your license, requires court, involves prior convictions, or could affect commercial driving. Advice can also help when you contest the officer’s account or face several related tickets.
Have the summons, court notices, relevant photographs, insurance or licensing records, and a brief factual account available. Preserve dashcam footage promptly. An attorney can assess evidence, explain available defenses, and discuss possible resolutions without promising a particular outcome.
For related explanations beyond this statute reference, Joseph Horn’s New Jersey traffic ticket articles address additional ticket and court concerns.
Use the Code to Make an Informed Decision
A sound ticket review starts with the exact statute, then checks payment eligibility, points, and additional consequences separately. Confirm current amounts through official court resources. Never interpret a blank fine entry, zero points, or an available payment screen as a complete assessment of your situation.
A ticket that looks affordable can still put driving privileges at risk. Joseph Horn ESQ offers a Free Consultation to discuss traffic charges and related DUI or criminal defense concerns. Call (201) 884-6000 to arrange a consultation, or ask about meeting at the office at 500D Lake St, Ramsey, NJ 07446.
Sources
- New Jersey Courts: Municipal Courts and court resources
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: Points Schedule
- New Jersey Office of the Attorney General: Distracted-Driving Enforcement Notice
- New Jersey Legislature: P.L. 2025, Chapter 248
- New Jersey Courts: Municipal Court Self-Help
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Individual results can vary based on the facts and circumstances of each case.
