NJ Surcharge

New Jersey imposes surcharges on drivers who accumulate too many points or commit certain offenses, such as DUI or driving without insurance.

These surcharges are separate from fines and require annual payment. Understanding Surcharges will help you manage your Traffic tickets and other fines effectively.

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How Can I Pay My surcharge?

Understanding and paying your Surcharges has never been this easy before but with https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/. It has become really easy and effortless. Here are the following steps you can follow for paying your Surcharges.

  1. Website: Go to the official website of NJ Motor Vehicle Commission Surcharge Payment Page (MVC) at https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/.
  2. Get Your Details: By entering your Driver’s license number and your Number Plate’s information Obtain your surcharge details.
  3. Ensure Surcharge Notice: Check your invoice or Surcharge notice ensuring the surcharge amount and the Payment instruction.
  4. Payment Portal: On NJMC website , click the “Pay Surcharges” then click to gain access to the payment portal.
  5. Enter Details: Enter your driver’s license number and number plate’s information and other required details vigilantly.
  6. Choose Payment Method: Choose among the following payment methods,
    • Credit/Debit Card-(Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover).
    • Electronic Check-Can also pay through the e-check by providing your bank details.
  7. Make the Payment: Confirm the payment method and proceed to pay 
  8. Payment Confirmation: Once you complete your payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Save it and print the information for your records.

Important:

  • Some processing fees will be cut off through Card payment.
  • If multiple surcharges then repeat the process to pay each surcharge and check your balance and dues on the NJMVC Website.
  • Make timely payment to avoid additional tickets, penalties and suspension of Driver’s license. 

Why Are You Surcharged?

Here are the reasons you are being surcharged. Understanding these can help you avoid future surcharges. Your driving record is monitored for added points or serious offenses.

Surcharge for Points: Accumulating six or more points within three years of your last violation results in a $150 charge, plus $25 for each point over six. The surcharge applies annually for three years.

Surcharges for Specific Offenses:

  • $100 for driving without a valid license or with an expired license (total $300).
  • $250 for driving with a suspended license (total $750).
  • $100 for failing to insure a moped (total $300).
  • $250 for driving an uninsured vehicle (total $750).
  • $1,000 for a first or second DWI (total $3,000).
  • $1,500 for a third DWI within three years (total $4,500).
  • $1,000 for refusing to take a blood alcohol test (total $3,000).

Not Paying your Surcharges

If you fail to pay your surcharges on time, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) can enforce collection. They may file a Certificate of Debt with the New Jersey Superior Court, resulting in a court judgment against you.

This judgment allows the state to collect the owed surcharges, plus any additional costs and interest. It can prevent you from selling or transferring property and may lead to wage garnishment.

Surcharge Payment Plan

There are Surcharge Payment Plans for the ease of the people you have the liberty to choose to pay all at one time or can also go for installment plans. Here is the detailed information about it,

  1. Pay the total amount due if possible.
  2. Installment Payment Plan (IPP):
    • Initial Payment: To enroll in an IPP, pay the installment amount listed on your billing notice by the due date.
    • Monthly Installments: We bill the remaining balance in monthly installments.
  3. Outstanding Judgments:
    • Judgments for unpaid surcharges remain in effect until the debt is fully paid.
    • Interest will continue to accrue on these judgments throughout the payment plan.
  4. Alternative Arrangements:
    • If the installment amount is unaffordable, contact the New Jersey Surcharge Violation System at (844) 424-6829 to discuss other payment options.

Surcharge Billing Notice

Surcharge billing notice contains the general information about the surcharge and at the bottom of the notice contains the method of how to pay your surcharge including the payment method :

  1. Billing Notice Contents:
    • Summary of Surcharges: Details each surcharge and the reasons for them.
    • Total Amount Due: The full amount you owe.
    • Optional Installment Amount: A portion of the total debt, spread over six or more months.
  2. Payment Installments:
    • If you opt for installment payments, each payment is due monthly on the same date until the full debt is cleared.
  3. Payment Methods:
    • Online: Pay using debit/credit cards or e-check.
    • Pay-by-Phone: Make payments over the phone.
    • Western Union: Send payments through Western Union.
    • Mail the tear-off portion at the bottom of the notice with your payment to ensure proper account credit. Do not send cash.

This structured approach should help you manage your surcharge payments efficiently.

How Can I Reduce My Surcharge Points?

Following are the ways you can avoid and reduce your surcharge points:

  • Practice Safe Driving: Adhere to traffic rules, stay within speed limits, and avoid aggressive driving to prevent points from accumulating on your record.
  • Handle Traffic Tickets Carefully: If you get a traffic ticket, try to contest it in court or discuss with the prosecutor to possibly reduce the charges, which can result in fewer points.
  • Take Point-Reduction Courses: New Jersey offers point-reduction courses that can remove points from your record. Completing these courses can help you avoid surcharges.

Contesting your Surcharge

If you want to contest a surcharge in New Jersey, follow these mentioned steps:

  1. Review the Surcharge Notice: Check the reasons for the surcharge and look for any inaccuracies in your driving record.
  2. Gather evidence: Collect documents and proof to show the surcharge was applied by mistake.
  3. Request a Hearing: Submit a formal request for a hearing to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) or the appropriate court.
  4. Prepare for the Hearing: Organize your arguments and evidence beforehand.
  5. Attend the Hearing: Present your case clearly and respectfully to the judge or hearing officer.
  6. Follow Up: Check the outcome and ensure you make any necessary corrections if the decision is in your favor.

Additional Information

You will receive a billing notice that includes a payment envelope. Please pay using a check or money order; cash is not accepted. If you misplace the payment envelope, use the provided address for NJSVS below to send your payment.

Do not send payments directly to the MVC, as they will be returned. All payments must be made through https://www1.state.nj.us/TYTR_NJAISC_Web/index.jsp.

Contact Information 

  • The toll-free number to our Customer Service Center  844-424-6829. 
  • Our Representatives are available between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. 
  • P.O. Box 1502 , Moorestown, NJ 08057-9704

Final Thought

n New Jersey, surcharges are penalties associated with driving violations and accumulating points. To effectively manage these, make timely payments through the New Jersey Surcharge Violation System (NJSVS).

If you wish to dispute a surcharge, request a formal hearing. Staying informed and compliant with the surcharge system is crucial for maintaining your driving privileges and avoiding additional penalties. Adhere to traffic rules, keep your license and other documents updated, and stay vigilant to minimize surcharges. Drive safely.