NJ MVC Point Letters and Suspension Notices: What to Do
If you reach 12 or more points, the NJ MVC mails you a Notice of Scheduled Suspension. Read it right away: it gives the date and your options, which the NJ Driver Manual says can include the Driver Improvement Program (if you're eligible), a hearing, or surrendering your license for the suspension period.
Updated October 14, 2026 · Checked against NJ MVC sources · Reviewed by Jason Friedman, founder of DriveSafer
Your options on a Notice of Scheduled Suspension
| Option | What happens |
|---|---|
| Attend the Driver Improvement Program (if the notice offers it) | Removes 3 points. $75 MVC fee plus a class fee. One year of probation afterward; a moving violation in that year leads to a scheduled suspension. |
| Request a hearing | The MVC Chief Administrator or an Administrative Law Judge decides whether your license should be suspended. |
| Surrender your license | You serve the suspension period, then restore your license. |
Don't miss the deadline
Failing to respond to an MVC notice is one of the reasons the MVC lists for losing driving privileges. Respond by the date on your notice.
Letters for new drivers
If you're in the 2-year probationary period that starts with your permit and you're convicted of 2 or more moving violations totaling 4 or more points, the MVC will order you to complete the Probationary Driver Program. Completing it removes up to 3 points; failing to complete it, or another moving violation during the test period, leads to a suspension.
Check your points first
Order your driver history abstract ($15, Form DO-21) so you know your exact total and which violations are on it.
Where a defensive driving course fits
A defensive driving course removes up to 2 points and can help you stay under 12. It isn't one of the options the Driver Manual lists for a scheduled suspension notice, so if you already have a notice, follow the options on the notice.
Need advice about your case?
This page is general information. For advice about a specific ticket or notice, talk to a New Jersey traffic attorney or call the MVC.