DMV Point System in Pennsylvania

Just like the grilled onion that stays on your breath long after eating a deliciously loaded Philly cheesesteak, traffic tickets can stay with you in the form of points on your driving record. On this page, you'll learn the basics of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) point system and the effects points have on your driving privileges.

If you're used to driving yourself to work, school, or the grocery store, accumulating enough points can cause a major shift in your daily routine.

Points & PA License Suspension

In Pennsylvania, you're in danger of losing your driving privileges as soon as you accrue 6 points or more on your record. The parameters for license suspension differ depending on your age.

For tips on reinstating your driver's license, review our PA license suspension guide.

NOTE: If you have a Pennsylvania CDL, you could face higher point penalties AND immediate license suspension for certain traffic tickets. Take a look at our suspended CDL page for details.

Younger Drivers

If you're younger than 18 years old, PennDOT will suspend your license if:

  • There are 6 points or more on your record.
    OR
  • You receive a traffic ticket for speeding 26 MPH or more over the limit.

The suspension period will depend on if you're facing:

  • Your 1st suspension: 90 days.
  • Any subsequent suspensions: 120 days.

Adult Drivers

If you're 18 years old and older, having 6 points on your driving record doesn't necessarily mean the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will automatically suspend your driving privileges.

Depending on how many times you've accrued 6 points or more, PennDOT may offer you alternatives to driver's license suspension:

  • 1st accruement: Option to take a written exam for removal of 2 points (in lieu of suspension).
    • You must pass the exam within 30 days of receiving PennDOT's license suspension notice.
  • 2nd accruement: Attend a departmental hearing where a PennDOT hearing examiner will decide whether to:
    • Suspend your license for 15 days.
      • 2 points will be removed from your driving record after the suspension.
    • Allow you to take a behind-the-wheel test for removal of 2 points.
      • You must pass the exam within 30 days of the examiner's decision to avoid losing your driving privileges.
    • Take no action against you.
  • Any additional accruements: Attend a departmental hearing where the examiner will decide whether or not to suspend your license for 30 days.

Immediate License Suspension

The PA kDepartment of Transportation could immediately suspend your driver's license for:

  • DUI.
    • Potential license suspension for 1 year.
  • Driving 31 MPH or faster over the speed limit.
    • PA driver's license possibly suspended for 15 days.
  • Accumulating 11 points or more on your PA record.
    • The number of times your license was previously suspended will dictate how long you're without driving privileges:
      • 1st suspension: 5 days per 1 point.
      • 2nd suspension: 10 days per 1 point.
      • 3rd suspension: 15 days per 1 point.
      • All subsequent suspensions: 1 year.
For the Record...

It's important to know how many points are on your record, especially if you've been issued traffic tickets in the past. So, take a few moments to check your Pennsylvania driving record and maybe you'll find some peace of mind in the process.

PennDOT Point Schedule

The severity of each traffic offense determines its point value. Below, you'll find a list of some common moving violations and their corresponding point values.

For the complete point schedule, take a look at PennDOT's point system fact sheet.

Low-Point Violations

Here are some traffic violations that will add relatively fewer points to your PA driving record:

  • Driving too quickly for road/weather conditions: 2 points.
  • Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk: 2 points.
  • Not stopping at a:
    • Red light: 3 points.
    • Stop sign: 3 points.
  • Following too closely behind another vehicle: 3 points.
  • Making an illegal U-turn: 3 points.
  • Careless driving: 3 points.
  • Speeding over the posted limit by:
    • 6 to 10 MPH: 2 points.
    • 11 to 15 MPH: 3 points.

High-Point Violations

Below are a few examples of violations that add a relatively larger number of points to your record:

  • Failure to stop at a railroad crossing: 4 points.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage: 4 points.
  • Speeding over the limit by:
    • 16 to 25 MPH: 4 points.
    • 26 to 30 MPH: 5 points.
    • 31 MPH or more: 5 points.
  • Failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights: 5 points.

If you're ticketed for a serious offense, like those listed above, you may have to go to traffic court. If that's the case, reference our guide to fighting traffic ticket for tips on preparing for court AND useful legal resources.

Better Drivers Get Better Rates

Does a traffic ticket have you worried about paying more for car insurance? While a defensive driving course will not remove points from your record, taking one can still save you money.

Enroll in a PA defensive driving course today because doing so can qualify you for discounts on auto insurance!

Clear Your PA Driving Record

Having a clean driving record is crucial to keeping your driving privileges.

PennDOT will remove 3 points from your record if you drive for 12 months consecutively without:

  • Committing a moving violation.
  • A suspended/revoked license.

If you can maintain 0 points on your record for 12 months, PennDOT will treat your next accumulation of points as if it were your 1st accruement. This means all previous license suspensions are forgiven.

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