FAQs for New Jersey Drivers Ticketed in Pennsylvania for Moving Violations

Pennsylvania and New Jersey are both members of the Interstate Driver’s License Compact which is an agreement to provide information about out of state moving violations to the driver’s home state. So, if you are pulled over in PA, it will likely get reported to New Jersey and will appear on your driving record. Additionally, New Jersey will assign 2 points on your record for an out of state moving violation. Some zero point violations will also transfer to New Jersey. For instance, an officer may think he is cutting you a break by writing a speeding ticket for 5 mph over the limit, or cite you for Obedience to Traffic Control Devices, which are both zero point violations in PA. However, even though these are no points in PA, New Jersey views these violations as moving violations and will assign 2 points and the violation appears on your record.

If you receive a ticket in Pennsylvania and are an out of state driver, you should immediately mail to the court a plea of not guilty. You have 10 days to MAIL your not guilty plea to the court, along with a check for the ticket which acts as collateral for the hearing. DO NOT pay online as you can only plead guilty online. You will receive a hearing notice and you will need to appear at the court hearing either with or without an attorney. However, most District Judges will permit us to appear in your place, so that you would not be required to return to Pennsylvania and we can appear for you in your absence. We can then represent you in court and hopefully get the ticket amended to an offense that does not transfer to New Jersey.

Many police officers are not familiar with how New Jersey DMV will view a Pennsylvania citation. The officer may not know that the Zero-point break he thought he was giving you will result in New Jersey assigning 2 points to your license. However, if you plead Not Guilty by mail, the ticket can be changed so that it does not transfer to New Jersey.

Hard to say. Some insurance companies will do nothing if you have a good driving record. Other insurance companies look for any reason to raise your rates. A 2021 study found that for a speeding ticket conviction, New Jersey drivers paid approximately 12.5% more in insurance premiums. Again, it is best to go to court so your insurance company never finds out about the Pennsylvania moving violation.

Most local judges will let us appear in court in your place so you may not have to attend the court hearing to get your points reduced.