How to Get a New Jersey Driving Record (A Complete Guide)

Need to know how many points you have on your driver’s license?

Or maybe your auto insurance company is asking for your driving record?

There are many reasons why you might need to get hold of your New Jersey driving record. This is why it’s important to know how to get it. 

And this is why, here, we’re going to give you a complete guide on how to get a New Jersey driving record. 

We’ll walk you through all the steps for each method. We’ll also tell you about the different record types, as well as how to improve and understand them. 

So are you ready?

Let’s go!

Types of Driving Records in New Jersey

In New Jersey, driving records are referred to as driving history abstracts. 

These contain information on the following: 

• Moving violations
• Accidents
• Points 
• Suspensions
• Convictions 

Now, there are 3 types of driving records that you can obtain: 

• Non-certified records 
• Certified five-year records
• Certified complete records

Let’s take a look at each one. 

Non-Certified Records

Non-certified records are for personal use. It cannot be used for official purposes, such as in a court. 

Most people get a non-certified record to verify information or check for violations or points on their licenses. 

Certified Five-Year Records

Opposite to a non-certified record, this type is certified and will be accepted as an official document. This document can be obtained by potential employers, insurance companies, government offices, and the court. 

And, as the name suggests, the record will only cover 5 years of your driving history. 

Certified Complete Records

This is similar to a certified five-year record. The only difference is that it will show your complete driving history, from the time your driver’s license was issued to the present. 

How to Get My Driving Record in New Jersey

You can get a copy of your New Jersey driving record through 3 methods, namely:

• Online
• By mail
• In-person

Let’s go over the steps for each method. 

How to Get A New Jersey Driving Record Online

For complete convenience, you can get a copy of your New Jersey driving record from the comfort of your home. 

Simply follow these steps: 

1. Prepare the following information:
   1. Valid driver’s license number
   2. Valid Social Security Number 
   3. Valid email address

2. Visit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) website. 

3. Log in with your User ID Number. If you don’t have one, you can request one here. 

4. Put in the necessary information and request the driving record you need. 

5. Pay the $15 fee using a credit card. 

6. View your driving record via email. You can also choose to print it. 

How to Get A New Jersey Driving Record By Mail

Say you don’t have access to the internet…

Or maybe you don’t want to bother getting a User ID Number or using your credit card for online payments. 

Whatever the case, you can choose to request your New Jersey driving record through the mail. 

Here are the steps: 

1. Print and fill up the Application for Driver History Abstract (Form DO-21).

2. Prepare the following:

• Photocopy of your New Jersey driver’s license
• Check or money order for a $15 fee payable to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

3. Place all the requirements in an envelope and send it to the address below:

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

Abstract Unit

225 East State Street

PO Box 142

Trenton, NJ 08666-0142

4. Wait for your driving record to arrive via mail. 

So easy, right?

However, with this method, you need to wait a few days before your record arrives. So it’s a good idea to request it earlier than when you need it. 

How to Get A New Jersey Driving Record In Person

If you need your driving record right away, then you can choose to get it in person. 

If so, follow these steps: 

1. Visit the nearest full-service motor vehicle agency. 

2. Bring the following:
   1. Completed Application for Driver History Abstract (Form DO-21).
   2. Valid New Jersey driver’s license
   3. $15 in cash, card, check, or money order
   4. Notarized authorization letter (if you are sending someone to get the record for you)

3. Show your driver’s license and submit the application form and authorization letter (if applicable).

4. Pay the $15 fee. 

5. Get your New Jersey driving record. 

How to Improve Your New Jersey Driving Record

To avoid penalty fees and license suspension, you need to have a clean driving record with no (or minimal) points. 

How do you do that?

The obvious answer is to not commit any moving violations. Remember, each moving violation accumulates several points. 

But in case you already accumulated many points, here are ways to reduce those points and thus improve your driving record. 

• Don’t commit any violations in a year – the simplest way to reduce your points is to make sure you don’t get any moving violations for one year. If your record is clean during this period, 3 points are automatically removed from your driving record. 
• Take a defensive driving course – another way to reduce points is to take a state-approved defensive driving course. If you complete this course, 3 points may be removed from your driving record. 

NOTE: Check for state-approved course providers here. 

Understanding the New Jersey Point System 

In New Jersey, you can receive 2 to 5 points, depending on the violation. 

You can check the full list of New Jersey violations and how many points it accumulates here. 

But an important thing to know is that, if you reach 6 points in 3 years, you will need to pay a penalty fee of $150. For every point received after, you need to pay an additional $25. 

Now, if you accumulate 12 points within 3 years, then your license will be suspended. 

So it’s important that you monitor your points by regularly checking your New Jersey driving record. 

Another thing to remember is that if you are an NJ driver’s license holder and you commit a violation in another state (except Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin), you will still receive points on your license. 

Conclusion

And that was your complete guide on how to get a New Jersey driving record. 

If you need your driving record for official purposes, then you already know how to get hold of it. There’s no need to stress about it. 

And also, now that you know how to obtain one, it’s a good idea to regularly check how many points you’ve accumulated. If it’s almost reaching the 6-point mark, then you might want to consider improving it. 

Good luck!