How to Reinstate a Suspended New Jersey Driver's License
To reinstate your suspended license in New Jersey, you need to pay a $100 fee online, in person, or by mail. Learn how here.
Written by Sean Boehme
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you need to get your license reinstated in
New Jersey
, you’ll have to pay a $100 fee online, in person, or by mail. You’ll only be able to restore a suspended license
once you have waited out the suspension period and fulfilled any additional requirements
.Life without a driver’s license isn't easy, especially if you used that license to get to work or school every day. Since driving without a license can mean a heavy fine and even jail time, all you can do is get educated on what to do once your suspension period is over.
To learn what you need to do to have your license reinstated in New Jersey and gain insight about hardship licenses and
SR-22 certificates
, read this guide by the driving expert and car insurance
app Jerry
.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhy you might need a license reinstatement in New Jersey
If you need to have your driver’s license reinstated, chances are that it has been suspended or revoked. There are several reasons that your license might get suspended in New Jersey, but the most common is the accumulation of
driver's license points
aka demerit points.You can accumulate points in New Jersey for a wide variety of reasons. And unfortunately, every time you do, you can expect your insurance rates to go up, too. Once you’ve accrued 12 points on your record, your license will be suspended.
Keep in mind that there are a few ways to remove points from your license in NJ, such as making it a year without any violations or participating in a driver improvement program. If you don’t make a concerted effort to get rid of your points, you’ll be stuck with them and could face a longer suspension.
Outside of points, another common reason your license may be suspended is if you’re caught
driving under the influence in New Jersey
. If charged with a DUI, your license could be suspended anywhere from three months to a full year depending on the circumstances of the incident. How to get a license reinstatement in New Jersey
If your license has been suspended in New Jersey, you’ll have to wait out the suspension period. You could also face additional requirements that you need to fulfill based on the nature of your suspension, such as the need to complete an Intoxicated Driving Program.
After all of the requirements have been fulfilled, you’ll be able to pay the $100 restoration fee and regain your driving privileges. This can be paid
online
, in person at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, or by mail if sent in with your suspension notice. MORE:
Is my license suspended?
If you intend to pay by mail, you can send it to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, P.O. Box 165, Trenton, NJ 08666-0165.
If your license expires while it’s suspended, you’re going to have to go through the renewal process, as well. This will mean paying the renewal fee of $24.
Key Takeaway As long as you’ve fulfilled any requirements unique to your suspension, having your license reinstated is as simple as paying the restoration fee.
How to get a hardship license in New Jersey
The reality for many people is that, with a suspended license, they have no way to get to work or school. Many states offer a solution to this in the form of a hardship license, but New Jersey does not.
Hardship licenses are usually available to people with a
DUI offense
, assuming they can prove that they need a car for work, school, or medical care. These licenses are limited and you are only allowed to use them at certain times to get to certain places.Since New Jersey does not offer a hardship license, there is no way around waiting for the suspension period to end before you can drive again.
Driving without a license
can get you into serious trouble, so you’ll need to find alternate transportation.What is an SR-22 certificate?
An SR-22 certificate is a document provided by the insurance company that proves you meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements. You’ll be required to have an SR-22 certificate if you’ve committed a serious violation such as DUI or you have been caught driving without insurance.
If your license has been suspended, you won’t be able to drive again unless you
fill out and file an SR-22 certificate
. To do so, you’ll need to find an insurer who will work with you and pay a small fee.In New Jersey, the state’s
minimum insurance requirements
mandate that motorists must legally carry either a basic or standard car insurance policy. The basic policy is the more affordable option, but you will risk paying out of pocket for bodily injury liability if you cause an accident.- Property damage liability= $5,000 (basic/standard)
- Personal injury protection= $15,000 per accident, up to $250,000 for severe injuries with a standard policy (basic/standard)
- Bodily injury liability per person= $15,000 (standard)
- Bodily injury liability per accident = $30,000 (standard)
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist= must match liability limits if you purchase a standard policy
If you’ve already had your license suspended or accumulated multiple serious violations, you’re going to have to pay much more for insurance as a result.
How to save money on car insurance in New Jersey
Even a minor speeding ticket can drastically increase your car insurance rates, so if you’ve ever had your license suspended, chances are you are paying through the roof for insurance. Although your rates will go down as long as you avoid any other issues on the road, the best way to save right now is by downloading Jerry.
Jerry
is a car insurance
comparison app that you can sign up for in a matter of seconds. Jerry will scan quotes sourced from 50+ of the top insurers in the country and deliver the best deals straight to you.Once you find a policy and price that suits your needs, Jerry will take care of all the paperwork and phone calls to secure your new insurance and can even help cancel your old policy. The best part is Jerry users save an average of over $800 a year on car insurance.
“I saw an ad forJerryon Instagram and decided to give it a try. I have a terrible driving record, but Nathan still helped me. Before, almost no one wanted to insure me. Now, I have a great policy and save $200/month. I’m one happy gal!” —Terri C.
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