Red light ticket in New Jersey
A red light ticket in New Jersey costs $86 on the state schedule and carries 2 points.
Add up my ticket All New Jersey rules
What does the New Jersey state schedule charge for a red light ticket?
| Ticket | You pay |
|---|---|
| Failure to observe traffic signal (39:4-81)$141 in a safe corridor, construction zone or 65 mph area. | $86[6] |
How many points is it?
- Running a red light2 pts[3]
Will a red light ticket raise your insurance in New Jersey?
Probably, once it is on your record. Insurers rate a red light ticket as a moving violation. In New Jersey one speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium about 29% on average[1], or about $2,600 over three years. A red light ticket usually lands in the same range.
Estimate based on the state's speeding average, not a quote.
How long do you have to respond to a red light ticket in New Jersey?
- Date on noticePay or respondset by the court[20][21]
Details
Pay or appear by the court date on your ticket. If you miss it: The court mails a failure to appear notice with a $10 penalty. Missing that date can lead to a warrant and a license suspension.
- 10daysAsk for a hearing on an MVC point suspensionfrom the notice date[12]
Details
Ask for a hearing on an MVC point suspension. If you miss it: Without a hearing request, the suspension starts 15 days after the notice was mailed.
- 10daysChoose the Driver Improvement Program instead of a 30-day suspension (12-14 points over more than two years)from the notice date[12][5]
Details
Choose the Driver Improvement Program instead of a 30-day suspension (12-14 points over more than two years). If you miss it: The suspension takes effect, and failing to finish the program also triggers it.
- 20daysLast day to appealfrom conviction[19]
Details
Appeal a municipal court conviction to the Superior Court. If you miss it: A late appeal is dismissed.
Can you keep a red light ticket off your New Jersey record?
What if a camera caught you in New Jersey?
New Jersey has no state law on red light cameras, and no cities in the state use them. A driver caught running a red light is ticketed in person by an officer.[1]
How camera tickets work in other states →
Every way to handle a New Jersey ticket, from paying to contesting →
Red light tickets in other states →
Got a different ticket in New Jersey?
- Speeding
- School zone
- Work zone
- Stop sign
- Texting
- No insurance
- Expired registration
- Seat belt
- School bus
- Failure to yield
- Parking
What else do people ask?
How many points is a red light ticket in New Jersey?
Running a red light: 2 points.
Will a red light ticket raise my insurance in New Jersey?
Probably, if it goes on your record. Insurers rate it as a moving violation. In New Jersey a speeding ticket raised full-coverage premiums about 29% on average (ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026), and a red light ticket tends to land in the same range.
Is a red light camera ticket different in New Jersey?
New Jersey has no state law on red light cameras, and no cities in the state use them. A driver caught running a red light is ticketed in person by an officer.
Sources
New Jersey law and DMV sources (11)
- NJ MVC: Suspensions and Restorations (point system, restoration fee), New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
- NJ MVC: NJ Points Schedule, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
- NJ MVC: Surcharges, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
- NJ MVC: Driver Programs (DIP, PDP, defensive driving providers), New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
- Statewide Violations Bureau Schedule (Updated on July 29, 2021), New Jersey Courts (Administrative Office of the Courts).
- N.J.S.A. 39:5-30.8, 39:5-30.9, 39:5-30.10 (point suspensions, point reductions, violations after restoration), New Jersey Legislature (statutes updated through P.L.2026, c.70).
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-139.10 (failure to respond to a failure to appear notice, suspension), New Jersey Legislature (statutes updated through P.L.2026, c.70).
- N.J.S.A. 17:33B-45.1 (insurance rate reduction after approved defensive driving course), New Jersey Legislature (statutes updated through P.L.2026, c.70).
- How to Appeal a Decision of a Municipal Court (CN 10559, rev. 11/2014), New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts (copy hosted by Cape May City).
- Lakewood Township Municipal Court: FAQs, Township of Lakewood.
- Jersey City Municipal Court (payments, plea by mail, online case review), City of Jersey City.
Red light camera sources (1)
- Safety camera laws, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Insurance sources (4)
- State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).