The Pennsylvania
Point System
The following
schedule indicates the violations and the number of points given for
committing each violation:
| VEHICLE
CODE |
DESCRIPTION |
#
OF POINTS |
| 1512 |
Violation of
restriction on driver's
license - wearing glasses, etc |
2 |
| 1571 |
Violation
concerning license |
3
|
| 3102 |
Failure
to obey policeman or authorized person |
2
|
3112(a)(3)(i)
or (ii) |
Failure
to stop for a red light |
3
|
| 3114(a)(1) |
Failure
to stop for a flashing red light |
3
|
| 3302 |
Failure
to yield half of roadway to oncoming vehicle |
3
|
| 3303 |
Improper
passing, overtaken driver to maintain speed; passing driver to pull in
at safe distance |
3
|
| 3304 |
Improper
passing on the right |
3
|
| 3305 |
Improper passing on the left, clear distance ahead |
3
|
| 3306(a)(1) |
Improper
passing on a hill |
4
|
| 3306(a)(2) |
Improper
passing at a railroad crossing or intersection |
3
|
| 3306(a)(3) |
Improper
passing at a bridge or tunnel |
3
|
| 3307 |
Improper
passing in a no-passing zone |
3
|
| 3310 |
Following
too closely |
3
|
| 3321 |
Failure
to yield to driver on the right at intersection |
3
|
| 3322 |
Failure
to yield to oncoming driver when making left turn |
3
|
| 3323(b) |
Failure to stop for stop sign |
3
|
| 3323(c) |
Failure
to yield at yield sign |
3
|
| 3324 |
Failure
to yield when entering or crossing roadway between intersections |
3
|
| 3332 |
Improper
turning around - illegal U-turns |
3
|
| 3341(a) |
Failure
to obey signal indicating approach of train |
3
|
| 3341(b) |
Failure
to comply with crossing gate or barrier 30-day suspension and |
4
|
| 3342(b)
or (e) |
Failure
to stop at railroad crossings |
4
|
| 3344 |
Failure
to stop when entering from alley, driveway or building |
3
|
| 3345(a) |
Failure
to stop for school bus with flashing red lights ....60-day suspension
and |
5
|
| 3361 |
Driving
too fast for conditions (If violation occurs in an active work zone and
in conjunction with an accident, 15-day suspension) and |
2
|
| 3362 |
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 provided under Section
1538(d) and |
5
|
| |
(If
violation occurs in an active work zone, also 15-day suspension) |
|
| 3365(b) |
Exceeding
special speed limit in school zone |
3
|
| 3365(c) |
Exceeding
special speed limit for trucks on downgrades |
3
|
| 3542(a) |
Failure
to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk |
2
|
| 3547 |
Failure to yield to pedestrian on sidewalk when entering from a
driveway or alley |
3
|
| 3549(a) |
Failure
to yield to blind pedestrians |
3
|
| 3702 |
Improper
backing |
3
|
| 3714 |
Careless
driving |
3
|
| 3745 |
Leaving
scene of accident involving property damage only |
4
|
THE PENNSYLVANIA
POINT SYSTEM AND HOW IT WORKS
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 point system is to help
to improve driving habits and to ensure safe driving. PENNDOT begins to
take corrective actions when a driving record reaches 6 or more points.
The following sections explain what happens when a driving record
reaches 6 or more points:
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 point system found below.
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:
1. Knowledge of
Safe Driving Practices,
2. Knowledge of
Departmental Sanctions,
and
3. 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:
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. 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.
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. The hearing examiner will review the
driving record. 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.
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:
1. 15 Day License
Suspension
2. 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.
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:
1. First Suspension
- 5 days per point
2. Second
Suspension - 10 days per point
3. Third Suspension
- 15 days per point
4. Subsequent
Suspensions - One year Point Removal for Safe Driving
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. Once a
driving record is reduced to zero and remains at zero points for 12
consecutive months, any further accumulation of points is treated 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).
Notice
of Change of Name or Address
Within 15 days of change of name or address, you are required by law to
notify the Bureau of Driver Licensing in writing.
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