How to Pay NJ Traffic Ticket Online?

Paying New Jersey traffic tickets promptly is crucial to avoid additional penalties and fines. This article provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to pay NJ traffic tickets online through the NJMCDirect website, along with key information on monetary fines, points added to your driving record, and surcharge fees imposed by the state’s program.

Moving violations like speeding, running red lights, and improper turns can be paid online, along with non-moving violations like parking tickets and equipment violations. Tickets requiring a mandatory court appearance cannot be paid online.

Action	Details
Pay ticket online	Use NJMCDirect website
Pay promptly	Avoid late fees up to $100 and other penalties
Verify fine amount	Varies based on the severity of the offense
Check points	Added to NJ driving record
Learn about surcharges	Additional fees on top of fines

Paying promptly is highly recommended, as even minor traffic tickets can lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars in total costs when all fines, fees, and insurance surcharges are tallied. Failure to pay promptly can result in license suspension or mandatory court appearances.

This article will provide clear instructions and comprehensive information on resolving NJ traffic violations online, understanding the many associated costs, and deciding whether to pay or contest your ticket.

Types of NJ Traffic Tickets Eligible for Online Payment

Many common moving violations are eligible for online payment through NJMCDirect, including:

• Speeding – Exceeding posted speed limit from 1 mph up to 29 mph over
• Running red lights – Entering an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red
• Improper turns – Making wide right turns, U-turns where prohibited, etc.
• Reckless driving – Driving carelessly without regard for safety (fines up to $500)

Non-moving violations that can also be paid online include:

• Parking tickets – Expired meter, street cleaning, handicap spot, etc.
• Equipment violations include non-working headlights or taillights, overly tinted windows, missing or expired registrations, etc.

Tickets requiring mandatory court appearances cannot be resolved online. These include:

• DUI/DWI – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Traffic accidents – Collisions resulting in injury or property damage
• Excessive speeding tickets – 30 mph or more over the posted speed limit

Steps to Pay NJ Traffic Tickets on NJMCDirect?

Follow these simple steps to pay NJ traffic ticket online:

1. Visit the NJMCDirect website at njmcdirect.com
2. Click on the “Pay a Traffic Ticket” link on the homepage. This will take you to the traffic ticket payment form. Use NJ Lookup to search for the ticket info.
3. Enter your ticket prefix and number. The prefix is the combination of letters (e.g. WT12) printed above the ticket barcode. The number is the series of digits below the barcode.
4. Verify the ticket information and fine amount. The site will display key details like the date issued, violation code, location, officer badge number, payment due date, base fine amount, etc. Confirm that all details are accurate.
5. Select a payment method such as a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex), debit card with Visa/Mastercard logo, or electronic check (eCheck using your bank account details).
6. Enter your payment details. For credit/debit cards, provide the account number, expiration date, CVV security code, and billing ZIP code. For eCheck, enter your routing and account numbers.
7. Review and submit payment. Double-check that all information is entered correctly before clicking submit.
8. Print or save payment confirmation. Your confirmation number is important proof of payment.

NJMCDirect Payment Methods, Fees, and Timeframes

NJMCDirect offers flexibility in how you pay NJ traffic tickets online:

Payment Methods

• Credit Cards – Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express
• Debit Cards – Any card with Visa or Mastercard logo
• eCheck – Electronic check using bank account details

Payment Convenience Fees

• Credit/Debit Card – 2.95% of the payment amount
• eCheck – Flat $1.50 per transaction

Cut-Off Times

• Payments submitted by 11:59 PM ET receive same-day processing
• Payments after the cut-off go to the next business day.

Installment Payment Plans

• Eligible for surcharge invoices exceeding $100
• $50 down payment required
• Balance paid over 6-12 months
• $2 per month accounting fee

By paying promptly before the due date printed on your ticket, you avoid additional late fees and penalties. Paying on the last day still gives same-day processing if submitted before 11:59 PM ET.

Fines, Points, and Penalties for Common Violations

Understanding the fines, points, and penalties for traffic tickets in NJ is important. Common examples include:

Violation	Fine Amount	Points	Additional Penalties
Speeding 1-14 mph over	$85 to $105	2	Possible surcharges
Speeding 15-29 mph over	$105 to $220	4	Possible surcharges
Speeding 30+ mph over	$240 to $260	5	Possible surcharges, license suspension
Careless Driving	$400 to $600	2
Reckless Driving	Up to $500	5	License suspension

Points Threshold	Penalty
6+ Points	Annual insurance surcharges
12+ Points	Mandatory license suspension

Insurance Surcharges	$150 to $300 per year
Failure to Pay	Additional suspensions

NJ Surcharge Program Explained

In addition to fines and points for traffic violations, New Jersey implements a surcharge program with extra fees added to certain driving offenses. Key details include:

• Surcharges are penalties paid to the state for 3 years on top of any traffic ticket fines
• Ranging from $100 to $1000 annually depending on offense
• DUI, driving without insurance, and driving with a suspended license commonly trigger surcharges
• Failure to pay annual surcharges results in further license suspension
• Surcharges apply even if the ticket is contested and the driver is found innocent
• Judges have no legal discretion to waive or reduce surcharges

The NJ surcharge program aims to deter and penalize dangerous driving. However, some argue the extra fees are excessive administrative punishments that go beyond reasonable traffic violation costs.

Over 375,000 drivers have had their licenses suspended in New Jersey solely for unpaid surcharge fees. However, restoring licenses requires payment of all overdue surcharges first. This creates an unfair debt cycle for low-income residents already struggling with fines and penalties on top of insurance rate increases.

Contesting a Traffic Ticket vs Paying It

While paying traffic tickets promptly can help avoid escalating costs, you also have the right to contest a traffic ticket in New Jersey. Here is a summary of what’s involved:

Contesting a Ticket

• Plead “not guilty” and request a court hearing.
• Hire a traffic ticket attorney/lawyer to fight the charges.
• Use defenses like improper signage, equipment defects, and emergency situations.
• Risk of increased fines & penalties if found guilty.

Plea Bargaining

• Negotiate with the prosecutor to plead to a lesser offense
• Get certain charges dropped or reduced
• Avoid points that increase insurance costs

Paying the Ticket

• Use NJMCDirect for quick & convenient online payment
• Pay fines promptly to avoid additional late fees
• Accept points on your NJ driving record
• Complete a defensive driving course to offset points (once every 3 years)

Contesting should only be done selectively for unfair, inaccurate, or fraudulent tickets with concrete evidence. Otherwise, paying promptly despite frustration is usually the safest option.

Final Words

Attention to traffic tickets and prompt resolution are crucial for all New Jersey drivers. The state implements among the strictest systems for fines, points, and surcharges, which can rapidly escalate costs.

Utilizing the NJMCDirect online system makes it fast and convenient to pay NJ traffic tickets before due dates. This avoids late fees and court appearances and prevents driving records from accumulating excessive points, leading to further license suspensions.

Understanding the severity of common violations in terms of dollar amounts and points is important when budgeting for ticket resolution costs. The state’s complex surcharge program particularly penalizes drivers in addition to any court-levied fines.

Contesting tickets is an option, but it should be pursued judiciously and rarely without strong evidence. For most drivers, promptly satisfying traffic violations online and then adjusting driving habits going forward is the lowest-risk and hassle approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the frequently asked questions about New Jersey Traffic Tickets.