New Jersey Defensive Driving

by Brandon Myers | Last Updated: January 13, 2021

Drivers in New Jersey can use the state’s defensive driving program to improve their driving skills and become safer on the road. This program is a great resource for drivers who need to remove points from their license or qualify for an insurance rate reduction.

Defensive Driving Courses in New Jersey

New Jersey drivers who have been charged with a moving traffic violation will have points assessed on their driving record. Most moving violations assess two points, though some may be as high as five or eight points. Drivers who accumulate six or more points within three years will be assessed a surcharge, and those with 12 or more points will have their license suspended.

Drivers in New Jersey can reduce the number of points on their driving record by simply waiting; as three points are removed each year, you have no violations or suspensions. Or, drivers can participate in defensive driving or driver improvement programs.

Defensive driving in New Jersey offers a two-point deduction and can subtract points once every five years. Most drivers with points on their driving record will use this program. Drivers with serious violations who are facing a license suspension can participate in the driver improvement program. The driver improvement program is offered instead of a 30-day suspension and can be used to remove up to three points from your driving record once every two years.

New Jersey Defensive Driving Course Eligibility

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission makes defensive driving and driver improvement widely available to drivers in the state to encourage driver education and improve driving skills. Most drivers who have points on their driving record will be eligible to complete a point reduction program; however, there are a few exceptions, including:

• drivers who do not currently have points on their record
• drivers who have previously completed the defensive driving program within five years
• drivers who have previously completed the driver improvement program within two years

Before you enroll in a defensive driving course or start the driver improvement program, you should verify your eligibility. Contact the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to find out if you’re eligible to complete a defensive driving or driver improvement, and if so, which program you should pursue. Completing the program before verifying your eligibility could cause you not to receive credit for your course.

New Jersey Traffic Ticket Dismissal with Defensive Driving

In many states, defensive driving can be used to avoid a conviction for moving violations. This is not the case in New Jersey. Drivers who are convicted of a moving violation will have points assessed to their driving record and use defensive driving or driver improvement to remove those points. The program is not tied to the court system, and drivers can enroll in defensive driving or driver improvement independently and at their convenience.

Drivers can enroll in New Jersey defensive driving to remove up to two points from their driving record, or for severe cases, enroll in the driver improvement program to remove up to three points from their record.

Drivers issued a driver’s license for the first time are considered probationary drivers for a two year period. If probationary drivers are convicted of two or more moving violations with a total of four or more points, they will be required to enroll in the probationary driver program, which includes a fee and classroom training.

Under the driver improvement program and the probationary driver program, failure to attend the program as scheduled will result in a license suspension. Additionally, drivers who receive any motor vehicle violations in the year following the course will be suspended. Drivers who fail to complete the defensive driving program are not automatically penalized; however, if you don’t complete the program, you will not benefit from point removal.

Defensive Driving Courses Available in New Jersey

New Jersey’s defensive driving program is six hours in length and offers extensive education in defensive driving techniques, as well as updated laws, safety information, and more. New Jersey’s driver improvement and probationary driver program courses are four hours in length and focus on driver safety, laws, and avoidance of accidents and moving violations. All courses will include instruction in topics including:

• collision prevention
• updated New Jersey driving laws and regulations
• defensive driving techniques
• how alcohol and drugs impact driving
• driving safety equipment including anti-lock brakes, seat belts, car seats, and airbags
• avoiding road rage and aggressive driving

Defensive Driving for Car Insurance Discounts in New Jersey

Defensive driving courses aren’t just for points reduction. In fact, many New Jersey drivers choose to take defensive driving to get a discount on insurance premiums. New Jersey requires that insurance companies offer discounts for drivers who have completed a defensive driving course.

New Jersey Defensive Driving Insurance Discounts

Upon completing a defensive driving course in New Jersey, you will be eligible for a discount on your insurance premiums. Typically, drivers who have completed the defensive driving course will receive a 5% discount for three years. After three years without any moving violations, you can take the course a second time and receive an additional 5% discount for a total of 10% off your insurance premium.

New Jersey Defensive Driving Insurance Discount Eligibility

In New Jersey, an insurance discount for defensive driving is available to nearly every safe driver. Typically, the only requirement is that you do not accumulate four or more points on your license and do not have your license suspended. Some insurance companies will require that you meet certain other requirements, including avoiding accidents for a period of time. Unlike other states that may limit participation in the insurance discount program to drivers over 55, drivers of all ages in New Jersey can participate to receive a discount. However, before enrolling in a defensive driving program to receive an insurance discount, you must first contact your insurance company to verify eligibility.

Insurance Defensive Driving Courses Available in New Jersey

New Jersey’s insurance reduction defensive driving course is offered by the same providers as the points reduction defensive driving course. The six-hour course includes instruction in defensive driving techniques and safe driving resources. This includes curriculum in:

• courteous driving
• accident avoidance
• the importance of avoiding impaired driving, including alcohol or drugs
• vehicle safety features
• current New Jersey traffic laws and regulations

Enroll in a New Jersey Defensive Driving Course

Improve your safety and driving record today by enrolling in a New Jersey defensive driving course. Please choose from our directory to find a qualified, state-approved provider.

Brandon Myers is a Drivers Education and Safe Driving enthusiast. After a rollover vehicle crash and DUI, Myers has dedicated his life and career to the Drivers Education industry. Believing safe driving techniques save lives, Myers has spent over 5 years improving the industry with IDriveSafely, Aceable, and DriversEd.com.