Points, tickets and licence suspension in Pennsylvania

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain how points are added and removed.
• You can state what happens at six points for adults and for drivers under 18.
• You can list offenses that bring suspensions without reaching six points.
• You can describe how to behave during a traffic stop.

What you need to know and understand

• PennDOT takes action when a record reaches six or more points.
• Three points come off for every 12 months without violations or suspensions.
• Drivers under 18 lose their license for 90 days at six points or for going 26 mph or more over the limit; later occurrences mean 120 days.
• Failing to stop for a school bus brings 5 points and a 60-day suspension.
• After a suspension is restored, your record usually shows 5 points.
• Driving uninsured can cost you three months of license and registration.

How many points?

Seat belt and texting offenses do not add points.

• Speeding 6 to 10 mph over: 2 points. 11 to 15 over: 3. 16 to 25 over: 4. 26 or more over: 5.
• Running a red light or stop sign: 3.
• Following too closely, careless driving and most improper passing: 3.
• Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk: 2.
• Move Over law violation: 2.
• Failing to stop for a school bus: 5, plus a 60-day suspension.
• Driving around a railroad crossing gate: 4, plus a 30-day suspension.

What happens at six points

1. First time at six or more: you choose either a written special point exam (passing removes 2 points) or Driver Improvement School (completing it removes 4 points).
2. Second time at six or more: you must attend a departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School, and the hearing can lead to an on-road exam or a suspension of up to 15 days.
3. Further accumulations: more hearings and possible suspensions.
4. For drivers under 18: a 90-day suspension at six points or for any conviction of 26 mph or more over the limit, and 120 days for further occurrences.

Getting points off and other suspensions

For every 12 months in a row with no violations and no suspension, three points are removed. Some offenses bring suspension directly, whatever your points: DUI, reckless driving, racing, fleeing police, hit and run, and driving while suspended. Junior drivers who cause a reportable crash or are convicted of any violation can also be suspended and lose the higher passenger limit. Suspension notices come by mail; you may appeal to the county Court of Common Pleas within 30 days. Our guides on junior license rules and the point system go further.

If police pull you over

Signal, pull safely to the right and stop. Turn off the engine and radio, open your window, switch on the interior light at night, keep your hands on the wheel and stay in the car with your belt on. Hand over your license, registration and insurance when asked. If you disagree with a ticket, argue it in court, not at the roadside.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring a ticket. Failing to respond to a citation can lead to a license suspension.
• Thinking a few mph over does not count. 6 mph over already adds points.
• Believing points vanish after a year automatically. Only three come off per clean 12 months.
• Assuming junior license restriction rules are minor. A conviction ends your eligibility for extra passengers.

Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in Pennsylvania

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Pennsylvania Junior License Rules
• PA Third-Party Driving Test
• Getting a Regular Pennsylvania License Before 18