How can I obtain a New Jersey driver's license after a suspension?

Full question:

I just returned to New Jersey from Georgia where I lived for the past 25 years. While there, I managed to get my drivers license suspended for 5 years due to 3 drug possessions within a certain time frame. That suspension is over April 21, 2011. I passed the written test (because my Jersey license expired), paid off some old tickets on my Jersey license from the 80's, and paid the restoration fee. How can I get a Jersey license? Can I get a hardship license on the Georgia license that New Jersey would honor, do I get a hardship license here, or do I transfer Georgia? There must be some way to get, at minimum, a license so I can get back and forth to work.

• Category: Drivers License
• Subcategory: Drivers Hardship License Law
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: New Jersey

Answer:

Even though you are a New Jersey driver, points and penalties can still apply for violations committed in other states. New Jersey is part of two compacts that enforce this policy:

• Driver License Compact: This includes 45 states and the District of Columbia, except Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Member states exchange violation information, and out-of-state moving violations can add two points to your New Jersey record.
• Nonresident Violator Compact: This includes 44 states and the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin. It ensures nonresident drivers have the same rights as residents and requires them to fulfill the terms of traffic citations received in member states to avoid license suspension in their home state. This does not cover parking violations or certain other infractions.

In Georgia, if you have a third drug offense conviction within five years, your license is suspended for five years. After two years, you may apply for a three-year driving permit if you meet specific conditions:

1. You must not have any drug-related convictions in the two years before applying.
2. You need to provide proof of completing a licensed drug treatment program.
3. You must show proof of financial responsibility.
4. You must demonstrate that not receiving the permit would cause extreme hardship, meaning you cannot reasonably obtain other transportation for work, medical care, or education.

For your New Jersey license, since you've already passed the written test and paid the restoration fee, you should be able to apply for your license. If you need immediate transportation, you may want to explore the hardship license options in Georgia or New Jersey, depending on your circumstances.