NJ Surcharge: How to Check and Pay Your MVC Surcharge Bill

If you got a surcharge bill from New Jersey, you are not alone, and it is separate from your traffic ticket fine. Here is why the MVC charges surcharges, what they cost, and every official way to pay, straight from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

nj mvc surcharge payment guide
Disclaimer: Garden State Ticket Guide is an independent informational site. It is not a government website and nothing here is legal advice. For your specific situation, check the official NJ MVC pages below or speak with a licensed New Jersey attorney.

Why am I being surcharged?

According to the NJ MVC, your driving record is reviewed whenever points or certain serious offenses are added to it. If you accumulate six or more points within three years from your last posted violation, you get a $150 surcharge plus $25 for each additional point over six, and it can be assessed annually for three years. Certain violations bring their own annual surcharge for three years, including:

  • $100 per year for an unlicensed driver or expired license ($300 total)
  • $250 per year for driving with a suspended license ($750 total)
  • $250 per year for operating an uninsured vehicle ($750 total)
  • $1,000 per year for a first or second DWI ($3,000 total)
  • $1,500 per year for a third DWI within three years of the last offense ($4,500 total)
  • $1,000 per year for refusing a blood alcohol test ($3,000 total)

How do I pay my NJ surcharge?

All surcharge payments go through NJSVS (the NJ Surcharge Violation System), not the MVC. The MVC says payments sent to the MVC will be returned. Official payment options:

  • Online: pay by debit/credit card or e-check at the NJSVS Pay By Web portal
  • Phone: call toll-free (844) 424-6829, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Visa, Discover and MasterCard accepted)
  • Cash: at a Western Union location in New Jersey or nationwide
  • In person: at New Jersey Regional Service Agencies
  • Mail: check or money order payable to NJSVS, P.O. Box 1502, Moorestown, NJ 08057-9704 (never send cash)

Payment plans are available as detailed on your bill; call (844) 424-6829 for details.

What happens if I do not pay a surcharge?

The MVC can begin collection action, including filing a Certificate of Debt with the New Jersey Superior Court. That judgment lets the State collect the unpaid surcharge plus collection costs and interest, can block the transfer or sale of property, and may lead to wage garnishment. Unpaid surcharges can also keep your license suspended.

My license is suspended over surcharges. What are my options?

To restore your driving privilege, the MVC says you must pay at least 5% of your outstanding surcharge plus a $100 restoration fee, as two separate payments online through the MVC website. Once the payments are made, you receive written notice of restoration. For questions, call the Surcharge Administration Office at (609) 454-2419.

FAQ

Do I still owe surcharges if I move out of New Jersey?

Yes. The MVC says you remain responsible for surcharges even if you move away and surrender your New Jersey license.

Do defensive driving credits remove surcharge points?

No. The MVC states that the three-point safe driving credit and the two-point defensive driving reduction do not reduce your surcharge point total.

How is a surcharge different from my ticket fine?

The fine is paid to the municipal court on your ticket (see our NJMCDirect guide). A surcharge is a separate annual bill assessed by the State through NJSVS.

Source: NJ MVC - Surcharges. Last verified: 17 October 2026.

Related: NJ points and surcharges explained | NJ license suspension and restoration

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