Pay Red Light Camera Tickets in New Jersey: Guide for Drivers

Red light camera tickets can be a headache for drivers in New Jersey. If you’ve got one, you’re probably wondering how to pay for it. You can pay for New Jersey red light camera tickets online, by phone, or by mail.

New Jersey’s red light camera program officially ended in 2014, so no new cameras are being installed.

I’ll walk you through the steps to pay for your ticket and explain what happens if you don’t pay.

We’ll also look at your options if you want to fight the ticket instead of paying it.

By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what to do with your red-light camera ticket in New Jersey.

Red Light Camera Tickets in New Jersey

A red-light camera violation happens when a driver runs a red light at an intersection with cameras. The cameras take photos and videos of the car going through the intersection, including the license plate and sometimes the driver.

The cameras work day and night. They’re triggered when a car enters the intersection after the light turns red.

The cameras don’t flash, so drivers often don’t know they’ve been caught.

These tickets are different from regular traffic stops. There’s no police officer present, and you get the ticket in the mail later.

Legal Basis for Red-Light Cameras

The state originally allowed red light cameras to improve safety at dangerous intersections, but critics said they were just for profit.

Now, some lawmakers want to protect NJ drivers from out-of-state camera tickets.

A new bill aims to stop companies from sending these tickets to NJ residents.

When NJ had red light cameras, they were placed at busy intersections with many crashes. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) picked the locations.

The cameras were connected to traffic signals and sensors on the road. They took pictures when cars entered the intersection in red.

Each camera system had two cameras. One took a picture of the rear license plate, and the other showed the whole intersection, including the red light.

Are there any point penalties for red light violations caught by a camera in NJ?

There are no point penalties for red light camera tickets, which are different from regular red light tickets given by police officers. Regular red light tickets can add 2 points to your license. But camera tickets don’t affect your driving record or insurance rates.

How can I find out the cost of a red light camera ticket in New Jersey?

The fine for running a red light in NJ ranges from $50 to $200. Camera tickets used to be on the lower end of this range. Court costs can add $12 to $33 to the total. The exact amount depends on the town where the violation happened.

Can red light camera tickets be contested in New Jersey?

When NJ had red light cameras, you could contest the tickets. The process was similar to fighting a regular traffic ticket.

You had to go to court in the town where the violation happened. You could present evidence, like photos or witness statements.

Some people won their cases by showing that the yellow light was too short or that the camera wasn’t working properly.

Pay Red Light Camera Tickets

How do you pay a red light camera ticket online in New Jersey?

To pay a red light camera ticket online in New Jersey, I’ll guide you through the process:

  1. Visit the official site or any of the NJMCDirect Pay websites.
  2. Gather your ticket information:
    • Citation number
    • Prefix (if any)
    • Court ID
  3. Enter the required details on the website:
    • Ticket and court information
    • License plate number
    • State of registration
  4. Review the ticket details for accuracy
  5. Choose the “Pay” option
  6. Select payment method:
    • Credit card
    • Debit card
    • E-check
  7. Enter payment information and submit payment.
  8. Save or print the confirmation page for your records.

Contact the court listed on your citation if you can’t find the red light ticket. They can help you get the information needed to pay online.

Paying your ticket means admitting guilt. If you want to dispute the ticket, don’t pay online. Instead, follow the instructions on your citation to request a court date.

What are the consequences of not paying a red light camera ticket in NJ?

If you don’t pay your red light camera ticket on time, you’ll face late fees. The original fine for running a red light in New Jersey is between $50 and $200. When you miss the payment deadline, extra charges are added.

  • The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) takes unpaid tickets seriously. They can send your case to a collection agency. This step adds even more fees to your bill.
  • Unpaid red light camera tickets can hurt your driving record. The MVC can add points to your license for not paying. These points stay on your record for several years.
  • Vehicle insurance rates can go up. Insurance companies check your driving record when setting prices.

Some drivers think camera tickets don’t count, but that’s wrong. Even though the program officially ended, the state can still process violations caught on camera.

That’s all for today, guys. I hope this information will be useful to you.