Pennsylvania Driving Law



Information on Pennsylvania driving law and Pennsylvania traffic laws...

Pennsylvania's Point System

Under Pennsylvania traffic laws, the purpose of the point system is to help to improve driving habits and to ensure safe driving. Points are added to a driving record when a driver is found guilty of certain moving violations of Pennsylvania traffic laws. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) begins to take corrective action when a driving record reaches 6 or more points.

Here is what happens when a driving record reaches 6 or more points:

For Persons Under the Age of 18

If a person under the age of 18 accumulates six (6) or more points or is convicted of driving 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, that person's driving privilege will be suspended. The first suspension will be for a 90-day period. A suspension of 120 days will be the result of any additional occurrences. This suspension is in addition to the requirements of the Pennsylvania point system (see below).

Accumulating 6 or More Points for the First Time

Under Pennsylvania driving law, the driver will receive a written notice to take a special written point examination when 6 or more points have accumulated on any driving record for the first time. The examination will address the following:

  1. Knowledge of Safe Driving Practices,
  2. Knowledge of Departmental Sanctions, and
  3. Knowledge of Related Safety Issues.

The exam must be successfully passed by the driver within 30 days or else the license will be suspended until the exam is passed. Two (2) points will be removed from the driving record if the exam is passed within the 30 day period.

Accumulating 6 or More Points for the Second Time

Under Pennsylvania driving law, the driver will be required to attend a Departmental Hearing when any driving record is reduced below 6 points and then reaches 6 or more points for a second time. A written notice of the specific time and location of the required hearing will be sent to the driver. The driver's record will be reviewed by a hearing examiner at the hearing. After the hearing, the Department may recommend one or more of the following actions:

  1. Order a 15 Day License Suspension,
  2. Order the Driver to Take a Special On-Road Driver's 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.

Note: 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.

Accumulating 6 or More Points for the Third or Subsequent Time

Under Pennsylvania driving law, the driver will have to attend a Departmental hearing when any driving record is reduced below 6 points and for the third or subsequent time reaches 6 or more points. The driver's record will be reviewed by a hearing examiner. 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.



Violations of Driving Laws and Points Assessed

The following indicates the violations of Pennsylvania driving law and the number of points aqssessed for violation of those laws:

Pennsylvania Driving Law Violation - Points

  • Violation of restriction on driver’s license; wearing glasses, etc - 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, overtaking 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 yield to oncoming driver when making left turn - 3
  • Failure to stop at 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 railroad crossing gate or barrier - (30-day suspension) and - 4
  • Failure to stop at railroad crossing - 4
  • Failure to stop when entering from alley, driveway or building - 3
  • Failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights - (60-day suspension) and - 5
  • Driving too fast for conditions - (if violation occurs in an active work zone and in conjunction with an accident, 15-day suspension) and - 2

Exceeding Maximum Speed - Miles over Speed Limit:

  • 6 to 10 - 2
  • 11 to 15 - (if violation occurs in an active work zone, 15-day suspension) and - 3
  • 16 to 25 - (if violation occurs in an active work zone, 15-day suspension) and - 4
  • 26 to 30 - (if violation occurs in an active work zone, 15-day suspension) and - 5
  • 31 and over - Departmental Hearing and Sanctions and - 5 (if violation occurs in an active work zone, also 15-day suspension)

Other Driving Law Violations

  • 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 the scene of an accident involving property damage only - 4

Removing Points for Safe Driving

Under Pennsylvania driving law, 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.

Any further accumulation of points is treated as the first accumulation of points once a driving record is reduced to zero and remains at zero points for 12 consecutive months.

For more information on Pennsylvania driving law, please visit the Pennsylvania Driver and Vehicles Services website.

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