Suspended License in Pennsylvania

Driver License Suspension in Pennsylvania

If your driver's license was suspended by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT/PennDOT), you'll need to satisfy your suspension requirements before you can have it reinstated.

Your PA driver's license may be suspended for reasons including:

  • Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol.
  • Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test.
  • Accumulating too many driving record points.
  • Violating insurance laws.
  • Reckless driving.

On this page you'll find information about your suspended driver's license and how to reinstate it.

About Your Suspended Pennsylvania License

The duration of your driver's license suspension will vary depending on your offense/violation.

NOTE: If you were convicted in court, you may also face additional court penalties, including fines and suspensions.

For information about your specific driver's license suspension:

Check Your Driver License Status

Traffic law violations and offenses will be recorded on your driving record and can lead to license suspensions and driving record points.

If you accumulate too many driving record points, your PA driver's license may be suspended, and you may also need to take an additional written point exam.

For more information, please refer to the PennDOT driving record point fact sheet or our DMV Point System in Pennsylvania page.

Check Your PA License Status

Is your driver's license in danger of suspension? Check your driving record to make sure it's in good standing.

PA Suspension Hearings & Appeals

While you cannot request an administrative hearing to contest your suspended license, you may request a Pennsylvania DMV hearing to:

  • Request credit for time served on your suspension.
  • Review/update your driving record.
  • Request credit for an ignition interlock order.
  • Appeal DOT decisions regarding your eligibility for a restricted license.

To request a Pennsylvania DOT administrative hearing, you will need:

  • To write a letter that includes:
    • Your name, driver's license number, and date of birth.
    • A statement of facts for your case.
    • Legal issues that support your appeal.
    • Your mailing address and phone number.
    • Your signature and your lawyer's signature, if applicable.
  • Any documents that led to your request/appeal.
  • Payment for the filing fee.

For more information on requesting a hearing, including the cost, what documents you need, and where you need to send them to, read the Driver Licensing Administrative Hearings fact sheet.

NOTE: To contest a suspended license resulting from a court conviction, you must contact the court that issued your suspension.

Contact a Local Attorney

Get the legal help you need to reinstate your suspended PA license. Contact an attorney near you today.

Reinstate Your Suspended PA License

Your reinstatement requirements will vary depending on the reason for your driver's license suspension.

The Pennsylvania DMV provides restoration requirement letters that explain the steps to reinstate your driver's license. To obtain your restoration letter, either:

  • Visit the PA DOT website and enter your:
    • Driver's license number.
    • Date of birth.
    • Social Security number (SSN).
  • Call the PennDOT:
    • Within PA: (800) 932-4600.
    • Out of state: (717) 412-5300.

NOTE: If you don't request a restoration requirements letter online or by phone, the PennDOT will mail you one about 30 days before your suspension period is over.

You may be eligible to pay your reinstatement fees online using the Online Driver Services system.

Obtain a Restricted PA License

In Pennsylvania, you may be able to apply for a restricted license to use while your drivers license is suspended.

The PennDOT will review your request and either:

  • Mail you a denial notice.
    OR
  • Approve your request and instruct you to visit your local PA DMV office.

NOTE: Restricted license petition/application fees are non-refundable.

Occupational Limited License

Depending on the reason for your suspended license, you may be eligible for an occupational limited license (OLL), which allows you to drive to and from authorized locations.

NOTE: You are not eligible for an OLL if your license has been suspended for reasons including:

  • Passing a school bus.
  • Racing or reckless driving.
  • Driving without headlights.
  • Hit and runs.
  • DUI offenses, if you haven't served the minimum suspension.

For more information on OLL eligibility, please refer to the Occupational Limited License (OLL) Petition.

To apply for an occupational restricted license:

  • Complete an Occupational Limited License (OLL) Petition (Form DL-15).
    • You must have paid all court fees and fines.
  • Send the application and payment by certified mail to the address on the form. (See “Suspended/Restricted License Fees" below.)

Probationary License

If your driver's license has been suspended for 5 years or longer, you may be eligible for a probationary license, which allows you to drive between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

To apply for a probationary driver's license:

  • Complete a Probationary License (PL) Petition (Form DL-20).
  • Mail your application and payment to the address on the form. (See “Suspended/Restricted License Fees" below.)

Suspended/Restricted License Fees

Your driver's license reinstatement fees will vary depending on the reason for your suspension.

For information about your reinstatement fees, you can either:

  • Refer to your suspension notice.
  • Use the Online Driver Services system.
    OR
  • Call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to request a reinstatement letter.
    • Within Pennsylvania: (800) 932-4600.
    • Out of state: (717) 412-5300.

Restricted License Fees:

  • Probationary license (PL): $88.75.
  • PL renewal: $63.75.
  • Occupational limited license (OLL): $50.
  • OLL extension: $13.50.
  • OLL extension (with motorcycle endorsement): $18.50.

Acceptable Forms of Payment

The Pennsylvania DOT accepts the following forms of payment:

  • In person/by mail: Check or money order payable to “PA Department of Transportation."
  • Online: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit/debit card.
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