The Pennsylvania Point System

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
3111.1	Obedience to traffic-control devices warning of hazardous conditions.	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
3327(a)(1)	Improper passing in emergency response area	2
3327(a)(1)	Failure to reduce speed in emergency response area	2
3327(a)(1)	Improper passing of disabled vehicle	2
3327(a)(1)	Failure to reduce speed passing disabled vehicle	2
3332	Improper turning around – illegal U-turns	3
3341(a)	Failure to obey signal indicating approach of train	2
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(a)	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(a)	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 action 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 requirement to attend the hearing. At the hearing, a hearing examiner will review the driver’s record. After the hearing, the Department may recommend one or more:

1. 15 Day License Suspension,
2. Driver to Take a Special On-Road Driver’s Examination
3. Driver to Attend PennDOT’s Driver Improvement School, or
4. 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 requirement to attend the hearing. The hearing examiner will review the driving record. Upon the Department’s review of the hearing, one of the following will be initiated:

1. 15 Day License Suspension
2. Special On-Road Driver’s Examination
3. Attend PennDOT’s Driver Improvement School

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 or date of restoration, whichever is more recent) 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).

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