What happens if you’re convicted?
A conviction adds 5 MVC points and carries materially greater court consequences than ordinary careless driving.
N.J.S.A. 39:4-96
Reckless driving
Driving heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of others.
NJ MVC points: 5 points High-stakes
Published by: TiQetSlash
Sources: NJ MVC and NJ Courts
Page type: General information
Last checked: August 21, 2026
Do you have to go to court?
Court appearance is generally required. Consider obtaining individualized legal advice.
What should you check first?
- Speed and driving pattern alleged
- Accident or injury
- Prior driving history
WHAT THIS CHARGE ALLEGES
N.J.S.A. 39:4-96: read the exact wording.
Driving heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of others.
The exact subsection and the conduct written on the summons matter. Do not substitute a similar-sounding violation or assume that a point value describes every consequence.
Search the official New Jersey statutes for 39:4-96 →Compare the paper ticket with the official NJ case record →
DETAILS TO VERIFY
Compare the guide with your ticket and records.
These details can help you understand what the charge refers to. The evidence and law in the individual case determine the result.
01 Speed and driving pattern alleged
02 Accident or injury
03 Prior driving history
Need the shared rules? Paying, pleading not guilty, MVC points, court amounts, and insurance decisions are explained once in the New Jersey traffic-ticket basics guide.
WHERE WAS THE TICKET ISSUED?
Add the local court details.
Primary sources: New Jersey Legislature statute search · NJ Motor Vehicle Commission Points Schedule · NJ Courts municipal-court help · Official NJ municipal case search
Verified August 21, 2026. This page explains the listed charge generally. Subsections, prior history, license class, accident or injury facts when relevant, and companion charges can change the result.