PENNDOT maintains a driving record for every licensed driver in
Pennsylvania. Points are added to a driving record when a
driver is found guilty of certain driving (moving) violations.
The purpose of the point system is to help to improve driving
habits and to ensure safe driving. PENNDOT begins to take
corrective actions when a driving record reaches 6 or more
points. The following schedule indicates the violations
and the number of points given for committing each violation:
Description
# of Points
Violation
of restriction on driver's license - wearing glasses,
etc.
2
Violation
concerning license
3
Failure to
obey policeman or authorized person
2
Failure to
stop for a red light
3
Failure to
stop for a flashing red light
3
Failure to
yield half of roadway to oncoming vehicle
3
Improper
passing, overtaken driver to maintain speed: passing
driver to pull in at safe distance
3
Improper
passing on the right
3
Improper
passing on the left, clear distance ahead
3
Improper
passing on a hill
4
Improper
passing at a railroad crossing or intersection
3
Improper
passing at a bridge or tunnel
3
Improper
passing in no-passing zone
3
Following
to closely
3
Failure to
yield to driver on the right at intersection
3
Failure to
yield to oncoming driver when making left turn
3
Failure to
stop for a stop sign
3
Failure to
yield at yield sign
3
Failure to
yield when entering or crossing roadway between
intersections
3
Improper
turning around - illegal U-turns
3
Failure to
obey signal indicating approach of train
2
Failure to
comply with crossing gate or barrier
30
day suspension +
4
Failure to
stop at railroad crossings
4
Failure to
stop when entering from an alley, driveway or building
3
Failure to
stop for school bus with flashing red lights
60 day
suspension +
5
Driving
too fast for conditions
2
Driving
too fast for conditions if violation occurs in an active
work zone and in conjunction with an accident
15 day
suspension +
2
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 6-10
2
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 6-10 if violation occurs in an
active work zone
15 day
suspension +
2
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 11-15
3
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 11-15 if violation occurs in an
active work zone
15 day
suspension +
3
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 16-25
4
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 16-25 if violation occurs in an
active work zone
15 day
suspension +
4
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 26-30
5
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 26-30 if violation occurs in an
active work zone
15 day
suspension +
5
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 31 and over departmental hearing
5
Exceeding
maximum speed limit 31 and over departmental hearing if
violation occurs in an active work zone
15 day
suspension +
5
Exceeding
special speed limit in school zone
3
Exceeding
special speed limit for trucks on downgrades
3
Failure to
yield to pedestrian in crosswalk
2
Failure to
yield to pedestrian on sidewalk when entering from a
driveway or alley
3
Failure to
yield to blind pedestrians
3
Improper
backing
3
Careless
Driving
3
Leaving
scene of accident involving property damage only
4
Accumulating 6 Points Under the Age of 18
The driving privilege of a person under the age of 18 will be
suspended if that person accumulates six (6) or more points or
is convicted of driving 26 miles per hour or more over the
posted speed limit. The first suspension will be for a
period of 90 days. Any additional occurrences will result
in a suspension of 120 days. This suspension is in
addition to the requirements of the point system above.
First Accumulation of 6 Points
When any driving record reaches 6 or more points for the first
time, the driver will receive a written notice to take a special
written point examination. The examination will address:
Knowledge of safe driving practices
Knowledge of departmental sanctions
Knowledge of related safety issues
The driver has 30 days to successfully pass the exam or else the
license will be suspended until the exam is passed. If the
exam is passed within the 30 day period, 2 points will be
removed from the driving record.
Second Accumulation of 6 Points
When any driving record is reduced below six points and then for
a second time reaches 6 or more points, the driver will have to
attend a Departmental hearing. The driver will receive a
written notice of the specific time and location of the required
hearing. At the hearing, a hearing examiner will review
the driver's record. After the hearing, the Department may
recommend one or more:
Order a 15 day license suspension
Order the driver to take a special on-road driver's examination
Take no action
If a person's driving privilege is suspended or a special
driver's exam is recommended, 2 points will be removed from the
driving record if the driver passes the exam within 30 days or 2
points will be removed once the 15 day suspension has been
served. No points are removed from the driving record if
the department does not initiate a sanction.
Failure to attend this departmental hearing will result in a 60
day license suspension.
Third or More Accumulation of 6 Points
When any driving record is reduced below 6 points and for the
third or subsequent time reaches 6 or more points, the driver
will have to attend a Departmental hearing. The hearing
examiner will review the driving record. The Department
will then determine if a 30 day license suspension will be
initiated.
Failure to attend this departmental hearing will result in
the suspension of the driver's license until the driver attends
the hearing.
Excessive Speeding
When a driver is convicted for speeding 31 miles per hour or
more over the posted speed limit, the driver will have to attend
a Departmental hearing. The driver will receive a written
notice of the specific time and location of the required
hearing. The hearing examiner will review the driving
record. Upon the Department's review of the hearing file,
one or both of the following will be initiated:
Order a 15 day license suspension
Special on-road driver's examination
If a 15 day suspension is initiated, the driving record will
show 5 points upon restoration. No points are removed if a
special driver's examination is initiated and completed.
Failure to attend this departmental hearing will result in a
60 day license suspension.
Accumulation of 11 Points or More
When any driving record reaches 11 or more points, the drivers
license will be automatically suspended. The length of
suspension depends on how many times the license was suspended
in the past. The suspension schedule is as follows:
First suspension - 5 days per point
Second suspension - 10 days per point
Third suspension - 15 days per point
Subsequent suspensions - One year
Points Removal for
Safe Driving
Three (3) points are removed from a driving record for every
12 consecutive months a person drives (from the date of the last
violation) without a violation which results in points, license
suspension or revocation. Once a driving record is reduced
to zero and remains at zero points for 12 consecutive months,
any further accumulation of points is treated as the first
accumulation of points.
License Suspension and Restoration
If a persons' driving privilege is to be suspended, a written
notice will be mailed to the driver listing the date when the
suspension will begin. The driver may appeal the
suspension to his or her county's Court of Common Pleas.
The appeal must be made within 30 days after the mailing date of
the notice. The most recent product (ie, license, permit(s)
and or camera card) must be returned to the Bureau of Driver
Licensing by the effective date of suspension listed on the
notice or the State Police, local police or other authorities
that have been delegated by the Department will be notified to
pick up the license. In addition to serving the suspension
or revocation, the appropriate restoration fee must be paid
before the license will be returned. After the driving
privilege is restored, the driving record will show 5 points,
regardless of the number of points which appeared on the record
before the license was suspended (except in the case of a 15 day
suspension resulting from a hearing for the second accumulation
of points).
This
information is generic and may or may not apply to this particular city,
county, state
or your individual circumstances. State laws vary and are continuously
changing. This information does not necessarily reflect the laws
in Pennsylvania. It is not
intended to be a source of legal advice or a substitute for
qualified legal counsel. Your access to and use of
this web site is subject to additional terms and conditions
found in our
Terms of Use. Please
read it now.
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Source: PA Dept. of Transportation PUB 472 (10-03)
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This
information is generic. It is compiled from the laws of several
states and may or may not apply to your particular city,
county, state
or individual circumstances. State laws vary and are continuously
changing. This information does not necessarily reflect the laws
in Pennsylvania. It is not
intended to be a source of legal advice or a substitute for
qualified legal counsel. Your access to and use of
this web site is subject to additional terms and conditions
found in our
Terms of Use. Please
read it now.
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