Traffic Tickets: The Pennsylvania Point System
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 Pennsylvania Point System is to help to improve driving habits and to ensure safe driving. PennDOT begins to take corrective action when a driving record reaches 6 or more points.
If you receive a traffic ticket, contact experienced traffic court attorney Keith J. Williams before paying the fine for aggressive representation in traffic court.
Moving Violations, Points & Suspensions
| VIOLATION | POINTS | LICENSE SUSPENSION |
|---|---|---|
| Violation of restriction on driver license (wearing glasses) | 2 | — |
| Violation concerning license | 3 | — |
| Failure to obey authorized persons directing traffic | 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 a no-passing zone | 3 | — |
| Following too closely | 3 | — |
| Failure to yield to driver on the right at intersection | 3 | — |
| Failure to stop for 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 | 4 | 30-days |
| Failure to stop at railroad crossings | 4 | — |
| Failure to stop when entering from alley, driveway or building | 3 | — |
| Failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights | 5 | 60-days |
| Driving too fast for conditions | 2 | 15-days if violation occurs in an active work zone and in conjunction with an accident |
| Exceeding maximum speed: 6-10 mph over the speed limit | 2 | — |
| Exceeding maximum speed: 11-15 mph over the speed limit | 3 | 15-day suspension if violation occurs in an active work zone |
| Exceeding maximum speed: 16-25 mph over the speed limit | 4 | 15-day suspension if violation occurs in an active work zone |
| Exceeding maximum speed: 26-30 mph over the speed limit | 5 | 15-day suspension if violation occurs in an active work zone |
| Exceeding maximum speed: 31 mph over the speed limit and more | 5 | Departmental hearing and sanctions provided under Section 1538(d) 15-day suspension if violation occurs in an active work zone |
| 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 | — |
The following sections explain what happens when a driving record reaches 6 or more points in the Pennsylvania Point System:
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 Pennsylvania Point System found below.
If your child receives a traffic ticket, contact experienced traffic court attorney Keith J. Williams before paying the fine for aggressive representation in traffic court.
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:
- 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.
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, and
- 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 may recommend one or more:
- Order a 15 Day License Suspension,
- Order the Driver to Take a Special On-Road Driver’s Examination, or
- 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 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.
First, the hearing examiner will review the driving record. The Department will then determine if a 30-day license suspension will be initiated.
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:
- First Suspension – 5 days per point
- Second Suspension – 10 days per point
- Third Suspension – 15 days per point
- Subsequent Suspensions – One Year
Point Removal for Safe Driving
Three (3) points are removed from a driving record for each 12 consecutive months in which a person is not under suspension or revocation or has not committed any violation which results in the assignment of points or in suspension or revocation under Chapter 15 of the Vehicle Code.
Once a driving record is reduced to zero points and remains at zero points for 12 consecutive months, any further accumulation of points will be regarded 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 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 6 points).
If you have been issued a traffic citation in Bucks County, contact experienced traffic court attorney Keith J. Williams before paying the fine.
Keith J. Williams Law will provide aggressive representation in traffic court and will vigorously fight to have the charges reduced or the case dismissed.
Protect your driver’s license. Call Bucks County traffic ticket attorney Keith J. Williams at 215-340-1134 before paying the fine!
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