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Like many states, Pennsylvania uses a driver point system to focus on improving driving safety habits and ensure as safe a driving environment as possible. The addition of points upon conviction for various offenses provides a way to issue corrections for repeat offenders and discourage negligent driving. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about these points.
What are points?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) uses a point system to track your behavior on the road, and once you accumulate enough points you face various penalties. In some cases, you may also face limitations, suspension, or even revocation of your driving privileges.
Points are assigned based on a framework designed by the state, legislators, and even voters. The amount or number of points issued for various offenses will generally scale with the severity of the violation. The most common offenses and their corresponding point values are below.
Moving violations and their points
Below you will find the most common violations and the points that they will add to your record. While this may cover most situations, this list should not be considered exhaustive. The full, current list is kept with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
2 Points
● Failure to obey authorized person directing traffic
● Violation of restriction on driver’s license (wearing glasses, etc.)
3 Points
● Failure to stop for a red light
● Improper passing at a bridge or tunnel
● Following too closely (tailgating)
● Failure to stop for a stop sign
● Illegal U-turns
● Careless driving
4 Points
● Failure to stop at railroad crossings
● Leaving the scene of an accident with property damage
Speeding Points
● Exceeding the speed limit by six to 10 MPH — 2 points
● Exceeding the speed limit by 11 to 15 MPH — 3 points PLUS an automatic 15-day suspension if the violation occurs in a work zone
● Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 25 MPH — 4 points PLUS an automatic 15-day suspension if the violation occurs in a work zone
● Exceeding the speed limit by 26 to 30 MPH — 5 points PLUS an automatic 15-day suspension if the violation occurs in a work zone
● Exceeding the speed limit by 31 MPH or more — 5 points PLUS an automatic 15-day suspension if the violation occurs in a work zone. For this offense you will be assigned a PennDOT hearing, during this process the hearing officer may also give you additional penalties.
How do I remove points?
For every 12 consecutive months in which a driver is not under license suspension or revocation, and does not have any additional points assigned to them, 3 points are removed.
If you reduce your points to zero and keep them at zero for 12 consecutive months, any more points you accumulate will be considered your “first” points for penalty calculation purposes.
Six Or More Points On Your Record
Once you are convicted of violations that result in accumulating 6 points, PennDOT will automatically and immediately notify your insurer. In many cases, this will cause the driver’s insurance rates to increase significantly.
Once you reach 6 points, you will have to pass a written exam. You must pass the exam within 30 days, or your license will be automatically suspended until you do. Once you pass the test, however, 2 points are removed from your driving record.
After reaching 6 points for a second time, you will be assigned a PennDOT hearing at which you must appear. If you fail to appear at the hearing for any reason, it will result in your license automatically being suspended for 60 days.
One of The following will happen at your hearing
1. There will be no punishment, but you are still assigned the points
2. You are assigned a 15-day suspension, after which your license is reinstated with 2 fewer points
3. You may need to take a driving road test, if you pass you’ll get 2 points off, but if you fail your license is suspended until you pass
Going forward, you will have to appear at a PennDOT hearing for every subsequent accumulation of 6 points. You are likely to face a suspension of at least 30 days each time. If you fail to appear, your license will automatically be suspended until you schedule a hearing and show up.
Drivers 18 or younger face a 90-day suspension for any accumulation of 6 points, or if they are convicted of driving more than 26 miles over the speed limit.
More than 11 points
If you accumulate 11 points during any conviction or combination of convictions, it will trigger an immediate license suspension. The length of this suspension will depend on how many times your license has previously been suspended.
If it is your first suspension, it will be suspended for 5 days per point. If it is your second suspension, 10 days per point, and 15 days per point for the third suspension. If you have already had your license suspended 3 times or more previously, it is a mandatory 1-year suspension.
You will also face a suspension or revocation if you receive a conviction for any of the following crimes:
● Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
● Committing any felony while in a vehicle
● Vehicular homicide
● Reckless driving
● Racing on public highways
● Fleeing or evading a police officer
● Driving while already suspended or revoked
● Failure to stop for a school bus
● Going around a railroad gate
Driving record
Even though any points you do accumulate can eventually be removed by waiting out the clock, those points represent convictions of violations or crimes that end up on your permanent driving record.
This means that even if you never get to the 6-point, automatic PennDOT notice stage, your insurance company will eventually see your offenses. They often raise premiums, and sometimes they will even cancel policies for failure to notify of a change in status.If you are facing potential points on your license, use appwinit.com to hire an attorney and get the best outcome possible.
