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Traffic Defense

A traffic ticket is rarely just a fine. Points, license suspension, and years of higher insurance premiums often cost far more than the citation itself. Here is how tickets are charged, what a plea actually means, and where you have room to push back in each state we cover.

4States Covered
Articles

Traffic Defense by State

Point systems differ, pick yours

New York ›

11 Points in 24 Months

Enough to trigger a suspension hearing under the 2026 rules. DMV fees start at 6 points.

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Connecticut ›

10 Points Suspends

Reaching 10 points brings a 30-day suspension, and points stay on for 24 months.

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New Jersey ›

12 Points Suspends

Suspension at 12 points, with state insurance surcharges kicking in at 6.

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Florida ›

12 Points in 12 Months

A 30-day suspension, with longer ones as points pile up over time.

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What Points Actually Cost You

First hit, then suspension
Flag of New York

New York

NY Vehicle & Traffic Law · DMV
24 monthspoints count, from the violation date
6Points trigger
the DMV fee
THEN
11Points trigger
a suspension hearing
The feeDriver Responsibility Assessment, billed every year for three years
CourseMay be required at 7 to 10 points
Worst hits8 points for passing a stopped school bus or work zone speeding
NYC tickets go to the TVB, where plea bargaining is not allowed
Flag of Connecticut

Connecticut

Connecticut DMV
24 monthspoints stay, from the violation date
6Points bring
a warning letter
THEN
10Points bring a
30-day suspension
To fight itPlead not guilty by the answer date so the case goes to court
By mailMany tickets are infractions payable by mail
RecordThe violation still lands on your driving history
Paying by mail is treated as a plea of no contest
Flag of New Jersey

New Jersey

NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
3 yearslookback for the insurance surcharge
6Points in 3 years
start the surcharge
THEN
12Points trigger
a suspension
Coming offUp to 3 points per violation-free year, more with an approved course
Plea downUnsafe driving carries no points on a first or second offense
CostThe MVC surcharge is annual and separate from the court fine
The unsafe driving plea has its own fee, points or not
Flag of Florida

Florida

Fla. Stat. Chapters 318 & 322
12 monthsrolling window for the first tier
12in 12 monthsPoints bring a
30-day suspension
THEN
24in 36 monthsPoints bring a
one-year suspension
Middle tier18 points in 18 months is a 3-month suspension
Deadline30 days to pay, elect traffic school, or request a hearing
SchoolKeeps points off, once per 12 months and eight times total
Paying without electing school is an admission, and the points attach

Latest in Traffic Defense

Where Did You Get the Ticket?
Ticketed in New York CityNY · No plea bargaining at the TVB Connecticut infraction you can pay by mailCT · Paying counts as a no contest plea Getting close to 12 pointsNJ · Suspension and surcharge rules First Florida ticket this yearFL · Traffic school can keep points off
Traffic Ticket Checklist
Read the exact statute cited on the ticket
Note the response deadline before anything else
Photograph signage, road markings, and conditions
Look up the point value for that violation
Don’t pay the fine yet, paying is usually pleading guilty

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