The Department of Transportation maintains a driving record for every licensed drive 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 insure safe driving. The Department begins to take corrective actions when a driving record reaches 6 or more points. The following sections explain what happens when a driving record reaches 6 or more points.
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:
1. Knowledge of Safe Driving Practices
2. Knowledge of Departmental Sanctions
3. 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 6 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 will:
1. Order a 15 day License Suspension,
2. Order the driver to take a special on the road examination, or
3. 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 more times 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:
1. 15 Day license Suspension
2. 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 driver's license will automatically be suspended. The length of suspension depends on how many times the license was suspended in the past. The suspension schedule is as follows:
1. First Suspension - 5 days per point
2. Second Suspension - 10 days per point
3. Third Suspension - 15 days per point
4. Subsequent Suspensions - One Year
Point 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 point for 12 consecutive months, any further accumulation of points is treated as the first accumulation of points.
License Suspension and Restoration
If a person's 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 driver's license must be returned to the Bureau of Drivers Licensing by the effective date of suspension listed on the notice or the State Police and local police 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 6 points).
Notice of Change of Name or Address
Within 15 days of change of name or address, you are required by law to notify the Bureau of Driver Licensing in writing.
For additional Information
If you have questions about your driving record or the Pennsylvania Point System in general call:
In State: 1-800-932-4600
Out of State: 1-717-391-6190
TDD In State: 1-800-228-0676
TDD Out of State: 1-717-391-6191
Vehicle Code |
Description |
# of Points |
1512 |
Violation of restriction on driver's license - wearing glasses, etc. |
2 |
1571 |
Violation concerning license |
3 |
3102 |
Failure to obey policeman or authorized person |
2 |
3112(a)(3)(i) or (ii) |
Failure to stop for a red light |
3 |
3114(a)(1) |
Failure to stop for a flashing red light |
3 |
3302 |
Failure to yield half of roadway to oncoming vehicle |
3 |
3303 |
Improper passing - overtaken driver to maintain speed; passing
driver to pull in at safe distance |
3 |
3304 |
Improper passing on the right |
3 |
3305 |
Improper passing on the left - clear distance ahead |
3 |
3306(a)(1) |
Improper passing on a hill |
4 |
3306(a)(2) |
Improper passing passing at a railroad crossing or intersection |
3 |
3307 |
Improper passing in a no-passing zone |
3 |
3310 |
Following to closely |
3 |
3321 |
Failure to yield to driver on the right at intersection |
3 |
3322 |
Failure to yield to oncoming driver when making left turn |
3 |
3323(b) |
Failure to stop for stop sign |
3 |
3323(c) |
Failure to yield at yield sign |
3 |
3324 |
Failure to yield when entering or crossing roadway between intersections |
3 |
3332 |
Improper turning around - illegal U-turns |
3 |
3341(a) |
Failure to obey signal indicating approach of train |
2 |
3341(b) |
Failure to comply with crossing gate or barrier |
30 day suspension &
4 |
3342(b) or (e) |
Failure to stop at railroad crossings |
4 |
3344 |
Failure to stop when entering from alley, driveway or building |
3 |
3345(a) |
Failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights |
60 day suspension &
5 |
3361 |
Driving too fast for conditions |
2 |
3362 |
Exceeding maximum speed
Miles over Speed Limit:
6 to 10
11 to 15
16 to 25
26 to 30
31 and over |
2
3
4
5
5(and a departmental hearing
& santions provided under
Section 1538 (d)) |
3365(b) |
Exceeding special speed limit in school zone |
3 |
3365(c) |
Exceeding special speed limit for trucks on downgrades |
3 |
3542(a) |
Failure to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk |
2 |
3547 |
Failure to yield to pedestrian on sidewalk when entering from a driveway
or alley |
3 |
3549(a) |
Failure to yield to blind pedestrians |
3 |
3702 |
Improper backing |
3 |
3714 |
Careless driving |
3 |
3745 |
Leaving scene of accident involving property damage only |
4 |