On a driver's first accumulation of 6 points or more, he or she must take
a written examination. The examination tests the driver's (1) knowledge of
safe driving practices, (2) understanding of the Motor Vehicle Code, and (3)
general awareness of safety issues. If the driver does not pass the
examination within 30 days of receiving notice to take the examination, his
or her license is suspended until the examination is passed.
On a driver's second accumulation of 6 points or more, the driver must go
before a hearing examiner employed by the Department of Transportation. The
examiner reviews the driver's record and may (1) impose a 15-day license
suspension, (2) order the driver to take a special on-road driving test, or
(3) choose to take no action.
On a driver's third accumulation of 6 points or more, the driver must go
to a hearing and can lose his or her license for 30 days.
A driver who accumulates 11 points or more automatically loses his or her
license. The length of the suspension is determined by the number of points
and by the driver's prior history. For example, if a driver has never had
his or her license suspended and has 11 points, the suspension will be 5
days per point, or 55 days. If the driver has suffered 2 prior suspensions
and has 11 points, the suspension will be 15 days per point, or 165 days.
Drivers can earn the right to have points removed from their records.
Three points are removed for every 12 consecutive months the driver goes
without a conviction for a moving violation that carries points. Once a
driver's record of points is reduced to zero and remains at zero for at
least one year, any further accumulation of points is treated as a first
accumulation.
Many motor vehicle violations result in the assignment of points. Most
moving violations carry an assignment of points, from a modest 2 points for
failure to wear required glasses to a whopping 5 points for failure to stop
for a school bus with flashing red lights. Drivers who are convicted of
exceeding the posted speed limit by 31 mph or more (for example, driving 66
mph in a 35 mph zone) are assigned 5 points; exceeding the speed limit by
only 6 miles carries 2 points.
Penalties for drivers who are under 18 years of age are more strict. Such
drivers suffer license suspensions for speeding offenses and for
accumulation of points that would only trigger examinations or hearings for
adult drivers. The suspensions imposed on these young drivers are generally
lengthier.
Be sure to notify the Department of Transportation if you move or
change your mailing address [[
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FORM FROM PENNDOT ]]. The department
satisfies all of its legal obligations to notify you of points, of the
scheduling of a test or hearing, or of the suspension of your license by
mailing any required notices to you at your address of record with the
department. Unless you keep an accurate address on record, you could lose
rights without knowing it.
See Sections 1535 through 1539 of Pennsylvania's Motor Vehicle Code, 75
Pa.C.S. Sections 1535-1539.
