Driving car
Having your driver’s license suspended or revoked can seriously impair your ability to earn a livelihood or attend school. At Schneider Freiberger, P.C., we understand how serious the consequences are for those with a suspended or revoked license. Getting your New Jersey driver’s license restored can be a complicated process. We are experienced in license restoration and can help you deal with the Motor Vehicle Commission, Municipal Courts, and other organizations and entities that can affect your ability to regain a valid driver’s license.
Reasons For License Suspension
There are many different reasons a person can have their NJ driver’s license suspended, including:
- Accumulating 12 or more driving points on your license.
- Failure to appear in court or pay fines.
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
- Refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test.
- Failure to pay state imposed surcharges.
- Failure to provide proof of insurance.
- Criminal or juvenile justice code violations
- Reckless driving or other traffic violations.
- A court ruling that you were at fault in a traffic related fatality.
- Failure to pay child support
- Abandoning a vehicle on a public highway or road
Additionally, you can receive an extended suspension or jail time for multiple suspensions or for driving while suspended. If you receive 3 license suspensions within a 3 year period, you could lose your license for up to 3 years.
Initial Steps to License Restoration
The process for restoring your license can be complicated, but there are a few steps you can take to get started:
Determine the Reason for Suspension – First, you will need to find out exactly why your license is suspended. Contact the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) in order to find out the reason for suspension and how long you must wait before the license restoration process can begin.
Court Orders – If the suspension was ordered by the courts, you can ask the MVC to disclose which court issued the suspension and the information you will need to continue with license restoration.
Driver’s Abstract – Get a copy of your abstract (a driver history record that lists all accidents, violations, suspensions, points credits, fee payments, and restorations incurred by a motorist) through the MVC either online or by mail for a fee.
The License Restoration Process
If the suspension was only imposed by the MVC, you must satisfy all fines, surcharges, and other conditions that the MVC requires. Valid insurance or proof of ticket payments must be shown to the MVC. If you have 12 points on your record, you may be required to take a Point and Insurance Reduction Course. Once you have completed all financial requirements, you must pay a $100 restoration fee.
To make sure the process is as smooth as possible, it is advisable to seek out the help of an experienced attorney, especially if your suspension was court ordered. You may need to obtain relevant court records and find out if there are any other pending matters before the court. It is critical to find out what fines need to be paid and if there are any outstanding arrest warrants. If you appear in court with a pending arrest warrant you can be arrested on the spot, which is another reason why having an experienced attorney helping you is recommended.
If you have not driven for over 3 years, you may need to take the written and road test. Check with the MVC and the courts that all conditions have been met. Make sure you have documented evidence of the fact that you have no outstanding issues. Once you have completed the license restoration process and been issued a renewed license, you may be placed on probation. Accruing additional violations during this period can lead to another license suspension.
Contact Schneider Freiberger Today
An experienced attorney can help you through the process of getting your license back as quickly and efficiently as possible. We can examine your case and ensure the suspension is valid, and whether it is possible to fight or reduce the suspension. We will help make a complicated process much less confusing and frustrating. Contact Schneider Freiberger today to discuss your next steps.
