TL;DR
- Reckless driving in New Jersey is a traffic violation, not a criminal offense, but a conviction remains permanently on your driving record.
- A first conviction can result in up to 60 days in jail, a $50–$200 fine, 5 points on your license, and court costs.
- Repeat offenses carry harsher penalties, including up to 3 months in jail and fines of $100–$500.
- A reckless driving conviction can also lead to license suspension, MVC surcharges, and higher auto insurance premiums.
- Depending on the circumstances, an experienced traffic attorney may be able to challenge the reckless driving charge or seek to have it reduced or dismissed.
If you’re facing reckless driving charges in New Jersey, you’re likely wondering, “How long does reckless driving stay on your record?” The short answer is that while reckless driving points drop off your driving record after a set period, the conviction itself typically stays on your permanent driving history. That distinction can affect your insurance rates, your license status, and your future.
Is Reckless Driving a Criminal Offense or Just a Traffic Ticket in New Jersey?
Unlike most states, New Jersey law treats reckless driving as a traffic offense, not a criminal one. Still, it’s considered a serious traffic violation, punishable by up to 60 days in municipal jail plus a fine between $50 and $200.
Because reckless driving isn’t a criminal offense, a conviction won’t appear on a criminal background check. However, it will show up on your driving record and follow you for the rest of your life. Some background checks for employment or professional licenses may include your driving record, which can affect your future opportunities.
Does Reckless Driving Ever Come Off Your Record?
The answer depends on what you mean by your “record.” New Jersey law draws a line between the points that reckless driving adds to your driver’s license and the record of the conviction itself:
- Points against your license go away with time. If you avoid further violations and suspensions for a year or complete an approved driver improvement course, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will deduct points from your total.
- A reckless driving conviction is permanent. New Jersey’s expungement statute removes criminal offenses, not reckless driving or other Title 39 traffic violations. State law specifically excludes motor vehicle offenses from expungement eligibility, so a reckless driving conviction will remain on your driving record forever.
That reality means it’s essential to have a solid defense strategy from the outset. An attorney can’t expunge a reckless driving conviction after the fact, but an experienced criminal defense lawyer can work to prevent that conviction from happening in the first place.
Our team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can negotiate with prosecutors to reduce reckless driving charges to less serious violations, challenge the evidence against you, or push for dismissal if the facts support it. The goal is to keep a reckless driving conviction off your record before it becomes permanent, if at all possible.
How Many Points Does Reckless Driving Add to Your License?
A reckless driving conviction adds 5 points to your New Jersey driving record. If you accumulate 6 or more points within 3 years, the MVC can hit you with a surcharge. If you reach 12 or more points, the MVC can suspend your license.
Insurance companies also watch your point total closely, and a reckless driving conviction could trigger a substantial increase in your premiums.
How Long Do Reckless Driving Points Stay on Your New Jersey Driving Record?
The MVC keeps a permanent record of every point you’ve ever earned, but that doesn’t mean the points count against you forever. New Jersey offers a few ways to reduce your point total. Here’s what you need to know about the rules and restrictions that apply to each method:
- One year violation-free – If you go a full year with no violations or license suspensions, the MVC will subtract 3 points from your total. The year starts on the date of your most recent violation or license restoration.
- Defensive driving program – If you pass one of these courses, the MVC will remove 2 points from your total, but you can only take the course once every 5 years.
- Driver improvement program – This program subtracts 3 points from your total, but the MVC only allows you to participate once every 2 years. This option is only available if there’s an MVC-proposed action against you.
- Probationary driver program – This one-time program can remove 3 points from your total, but you can only participate in it if the MVC orders you to attend.
Keep in mind that your insurance company might not apply these deductions to your premium calculations the way the MVC applies them to your license. Additionally, while you can combine multiple programs to lower your point total over time, you still have to meet each program’s specific timeline restrictions and eligibility rules.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You Fight a Reckless Driving Ticket
At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our team has over 250 years of combined experience handling criminal charges, along with reckless driving offenses, DWIs, and other serious motor vehicle violations across New Jersey. We’ve helped many clients facing traffic charges reach positive outcomes in their cases, including numerous dismissals and not guilty verdicts.*
Here’s what one former client said about their experience with us:
“I was referred to Jonathan for a second DWI defense. The case was in Brick NJ and for driving under the influence of marijuana. Jonathan and his team did an excellent job fighting the case. He knew what he was doing and that was clear by the way the prosecutor and judge treated him. You feel like you are with someone who is really special. He was able to avoid a conviction with my DWI being dismissed. Thousands was saved with the result, not to mention an additional two year suspension. Jonathan is a great attorney.” – William
We know the local courts, the prosecutors, and the most effective strategies for seeking dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges. A reckless driving conviction is permanent, so it’s always best to devote serious attention to avoiding that outcome from the start.
Get in Touch with Our New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyers for Help
If you still have questions about how to get reckless driving off your record, look no further than the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. We have 18 offices across New Jersey, and our attorneys are ready to review your case and build a defense strategy suited to your situation.
Contact us now for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help with your driving record.
*Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
