Pennsylvania Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI
Pennsylvania driving rules: point system, speeding points, traffic school, how to pay or fight a ticket, license suspension, DUI limits and penalties.
Quick answers for Pennsylvania
- Point system
- Yes. PennDOT adds points for convictions of certain moving violations and takes action at 6 points. The first time a record reaches 6 points, the driver must pass a special written point exam or complete Driver Improvement School within 30 days, or the license is suspended until they do. 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1535, 1538, 1539; PennDOT Point System Fact Sheet (March 2024)
- Points for speeding
- Speeding (75 Pa.C.S. § 3362): 6-10 mph over = 2 points; 11-15 = 3 points; 16-25 = 4 points; 26-30 = 5 points; 31 or more = 5 points plus a Departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School. PennDOT Point System Fact Sheet (March 2024)
- Legal BAC limit
- 0.08 for drivers 21 and older (a driver can also be convicted at a lower level if impaired). 0.02 for drivers under 21. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802; PA Driver's Manual ch. 4
- First-offense DUI penalties
- Penalties depend on blood alcohol level. General impairment (0.08-0.099): six months' probation, $300 fine, no license suspension. High rate (0.10-0.159): 2 days to 6 months in jail, $500-$5,000 fine, 12-month suspension. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3804; PA Driver's Manual ch. 4, Tables 1-3
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Tickets and points
| Point system | Yes. PennDOT adds points for convictions of certain moving violations and takes action at 6 points. The first time a record reaches 6 points, the driver must pass a special written point exam or complete Driver Improvement School within 30 days, or the license is suspended until they do. A second or later accumulation of 6 points requires a Departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School and may lead to a suspension of up to 15 days (second time) or 30 days (third or later). At 11 points, the license is automatically suspended: 5 days per point for a first suspension, 10 days per point for a second, 15 days per point for a third, and one year for later ones. Drivers under 18 are suspended at 6 points or for driving 26+ mph over the limit (90 days first, 120 days after). |
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| Points for speeding | Speeding (75 Pa.C.S. § 3362): 6-10 mph over = 2 points; 11-15 = 3 points; 16-25 = 4 points; 26-30 = 5 points; 31 or more = 5 points plus a Departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School. In an active work zone, speeding 11 mph or more over also carries a 15-day suspension. Speeding in a school zone is 3 points; driving too fast for conditions is 2 points. |
| How long points last | Three points are removed for every 12 consecutive months without a violation that results in points, a suspension, or a revocation (counted from the last violation or restoration date). Once a record reaches zero and stays there for 12 months, any new points are treated as a first accumulation. After a suspension is served and the license restored, the record shows 5 points regardless of the prior total (with some exceptions). |
| Traffic school | PennDOT's Driver Improvement School is only for drivers required to attend because of point accumulation or excessive speeding (31+ mph over); it is not a way to dismiss a ticket. On a first accumulation of 6 points, completing the school removes 4 points (passing the written point exam instead removes 2). On a second or later accumulation, 2 points are removed after the sanctions are completed. No points are removed for the school after an excessive-speeding hearing. The course is six hours and requires passing an exam with at least 80%, online or in person. |
| Paying or fighting a ticket | Traffic citations are handled by the magisterial district courts (or courts of common pleas). Fines and costs can be paid online through the Unified Judicial System's PAePay system, but paying a traffic citation online enters a guilty plea. A driver who wants to contest the ticket pleads not guilty and attends a hearing, where they can present their arguments. The plea deadline is printed on the citation; a statewide deadline for traffic citations was not confirmed from an official page read. Failing to respond to a citation can lead to a license suspension. |
| Paying or looking up a ticket online | Pay traffic tickets and court costs owed to Pennsylvania's Magisterial District and Common Pleas courts online through PAePay on the UJS Portal (Pay Online > Traffic Ticket or Court Costs). Only obligations approved for online payment appear. A non-refundable 2.75% service fee applies to each transaction; Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and ATM cards are accepted; the maximum applied to fines, costs and restitution is $2,500 per transaction. Cases with limited access cannot be paid online; contact the court where the case was filed. |
License suspension
| License suspension | Grounds include points (automatic suspension at 11 points), DUI, chemical test refusal, failing to respond to a citation, and driving without insurance (if a vehicle was uninsured 31 days or more, the registration is suspended three months, and the driving privilege is also suspended three months if the owner drove or allowed it to be driven). Before restoration, the driver must serve the suspension, show payment of fines and costs and proof of insurance, and pay a restoration fee. A suspension can be appealed to the county Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of the notice's mailing date. |
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| Hardship or restricted license | PennDOT's Driver's Manual notes that an occupational limited license may be available after 60 days of suspension for certain repeat DUI suspensions. General eligibility rules for an occupational limited license (75 Pa.C.S. § 1553) were not confirmed from a page read. |
| Checking and reinstating a license | PennDOT's License and Vehicle Restoration Services let you check the status of your driver's license, request your Driver's License Restoration Requirements Letter, and pay your restoration fee online. The restoration requirements letter is free and lists the specific steps you must complete; print it when you access it online, because PennDOT will not mail you a copy. If you do not get it online, a letter is mailed to your address of record about 30 days before your eligibility date. Limited licenses (Ignition Interlock, Occupational, Probationary) may be available in some cases. Suspensions: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/license-suspensions |
DUI / DWI
| Legal BAC limit | 0.08 for drivers 21 and older (a driver can also be convicted at a lower level if impaired). 0.02 for drivers under 21. 0.04 for commercial vehicle drivers and 0.02 for school bus drivers (those levels trigger 'high rate' penalties). |
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| First-offense DUI penalties | Penalties depend on blood alcohol level. General impairment (0.08-0.099): six months' probation, $300 fine, no license suspension. High rate (0.10-0.159): 2 days to 6 months in jail, $500-$5,000 fine, 12-month suspension. Highest rate (0.16+, controlled substances, or test refusal): 3 days to 6 months in jail, $1,000-$5,000 fine, 12-month suspension. Alcohol highway safety school is required, and screening/treatment and up to 150 hours of community service may be ordered. A first offender at the high or highest rate may be accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program (license suspension up to 90 days, six months' supervision, $300-$5,000 fine). Per the PennDOT Driver's Manual; the manual describes ignition interlock as required for second and third offenses. |
| When a DUI is a felony | In Pennsylvania, DUI becomes a third-degree felony when the person has three or more prior offenses, or a prior conviction for homicide by vehicle while DUI. It is also a third-degree felony for a person with two prior offenses who refused testing or violated the highest-BAC or controlled-substance provisions (section 3802(c) or (d)); with three or more priors, that offense is a second-degree felony. DUI with a minor under 18 in the vehicle is a third-degree felony if the person has two or more prior offenses. Prior offenses generally count if they occurred within 10 years before the current offense. Certain prior diversion-related violations under section 3802(h)(1) can also raise the grade. Prior-offense timing: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.038.006.000..HTM. Section 3806 has been amended in 2025 and 2026; check the current text. |
| Refusing a breath test | Refusing a breath, blood, or urine test after a DUI arrest leads to an automatic one-year license suspension, in addition to any suspension for the DUI conviction or ARD, even if the person is found not guilty of DUI. With a prior DUI conviction or prior refusal, the refusal suspension is 18 months. A driver who refuses is also subject to the 'highest rate' DUI penalties if convicted. |
| How long a DUI stays on your record | PennDOT automatically expunges Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) records for DUI from the driving record after 10 years, provided the person's license was not revoked as a habitual offender and the person was not a commercial driver at the time of the violation. For grading and penalties, prior DUI offenses count if they occurred within 10 years. |
| Sobriety checkpoints | Legal and used. Pennsylvania law allows police engaged in a 'systematic program of checking vehicles or drivers' to stop vehicles. Pennsylvania State Police and local agencies run DUI checkpoints, often funded by PennDOT. For example, troopers announced DUI checkpoints and increased roving patrols in Mifflin and Juniata counties in May 2026 and described a checkpoint stop as brief and routine. Statute: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.063.008.000..HTM |
Phones and distracted driving
| Phone and texting laws | Paul Miller's Law (effective June 5, 2025) bans drivers from using a hand-held interactive mobile device while driving, including while stopped in traffic or at a red light; it is a primary offense. Since June 5, 2026, a violation is a summary offense with a $50 fine plus court costs and fees. Use is allowed when the vehicle is pulled off the road and safely stopped, for emergency contact with police or emergency services, and with hands-free technology. A separate texting-while-driving ban is also a summary offense with a $50 fine. |
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Where to get help in Pennsylvania
Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ
How does the driver point system work in Pennsylvania?
Yes. PennDOT adds points for convictions of certain moving violations and takes action at 6 points. The first time a record reaches 6 points, the driver must pass a special written point exam or complete Driver Improvement School within 30 days, or the license is suspended until they do. A second or later accumulation of 6 points requires a Departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School and may lead to a suspension of up to 15 days (second time) or 30 days (third or later). At 11 points, the license is automatically suspended: 5 days per point for a first suspension, 10 days per point for a second, 15 days per point for a third, and one year for later ones. Drivers under 18 are suspended at 6 points or for driving 26+ mph over the limit (90 days first, 120 days after).
How many points is a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania?
Speeding (75 Pa.C.S. § 3362): 6-10 mph over = 2 points; 11-15 = 3 points; 16-25 = 4 points; 26-30 = 5 points; 31 or more = 5 points plus a Departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School. In an active work zone, speeding 11 mph or more over also carries a 15-day suspension. Speeding in a school zone is 3 points; driving too fast for conditions is 2 points.
How long do points stay on your license in Pennsylvania?
Three points are removed for every 12 consecutive months without a violation that results in points, a suspension, or a revocation (counted from the last violation or restoration date). Once a record reaches zero and stays there for 12 months, any new points are treated as a first accumulation. After a suspension is served and the license restored, the record shows 5 points regardless of the prior total (with some exceptions).
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Pennsylvania?
PennDOT's Driver Improvement School is only for drivers required to attend because of point accumulation or excessive speeding (31+ mph over); it is not a way to dismiss a ticket. On a first accumulation of 6 points, completing the school removes 4 points (passing the written point exam instead removes 2). On a second or later accumulation, 2 points are removed after the sanctions are completed. No points are removed for the school after an excessive-speeding hearing. The course is six hours and requires passing an exam with at least 80%, online or in person.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in Pennsylvania?
Pay traffic tickets and court costs owed to Pennsylvania's Magisterial District and Common Pleas courts online through PAePay on the UJS Portal (Pay Online > Traffic Ticket or Court Costs). Only obligations approved for online payment appear. A non-refundable 2.75% service fee applies to each transaction; Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and ATM cards are accepted; the maximum applied to fines, costs and restitution is $2,500 per transaction. Cases with limited access cannot be paid online; contact the court where the case was filed.
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Pennsylvania?
PennDOT's License and Vehicle Restoration Services let you check the status of your driver's license, request your Driver's License Restoration Requirements Letter, and pay your restoration fee online. The restoration requirements letter is free and lists the specific steps you must complete; print it when you access it online, because PennDOT will not mail you a copy. If you do not get it online, a letter is mailed to your address of record about 30 days before your eligibility date. Limited licenses (Ignition Interlock, Occupational, Probationary) may be available in some cases.
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Pennsylvania?
Traffic citations are handled by the magisterial district courts (or courts of common pleas). Fines and costs can be paid online through the Unified Judicial System's PAePay system, but paying a traffic citation online enters a guilty plea. A driver who wants to contest the ticket pleads not guilty and attends a hearing, where they can present their arguments.
What gets your license suspended in Pennsylvania?
Grounds include points (automatic suspension at 11 points), DUI, chemical test refusal, failing to respond to a citation, and driving without insurance (if a vehicle was uninsured 31 days or more, the registration is suspended three months, and the driving privilege is also suspended three months if the owner drove or allowed it to be driven). Before restoration, the driver must serve the suspension, show payment of fines and costs and proof of insurance, and pay a restoration fee. A suspension can be appealed to the county Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of the notice's mailing date.
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Pennsylvania?
0.08 for drivers 21 and older (a driver can also be convicted at a lower level if impaired). 0.02 for drivers under 21. 0.04 for commercial vehicle drivers and 0.02 for school bus drivers (those levels trigger 'high rate' penalties).
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Pennsylvania?
Penalties depend on blood alcohol level. General impairment (0.08-0.099): six months' probation, $300 fine, no license suspension. High rate (0.10-0.159): 2 days to 6 months in jail, $500-$5,000 fine, 12-month suspension. Highest rate (0.16+, controlled substances, or test refusal): 3 days to 6 months in jail, $1,000-$5,000 fine, 12-month suspension. Alcohol highway safety school is required, and screening/treatment and up to 150 hours of community service may be ordered. A first offender at the high or highest rate may be accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program (license suspension up to 90 days, six months' supervision, $300-$5,000 fine).
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Pennsylvania?
Refusing a breath, blood, or urine test after a DUI arrest leads to an automatic one-year license suspension, in addition to any suspension for the DUI conviction or ARD, even if the person is found not guilty of DUI. With a prior DUI conviction or prior refusal, the refusal suspension is 18 months. A driver who refuses is also subject to the 'highest rate' DUI penalties if convicted.
Can you get a hardship license in Pennsylvania?
PennDOT's Driver's Manual notes that an occupational limited license may be available after 60 days of suspension for certain repeat DUI suspensions.
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Pennsylvania?
Paul Miller's Law (effective June 5, 2025) bans drivers from using a hand-held interactive mobile device while driving, including while stopped in traffic or at a red light; it is a primary offense. Since June 5, 2026, a violation is a summary offense with a $50 fine plus court costs and fees. Use is allowed when the vehicle is pulled off the road and safely stopped, for emergency contact with police or emergency services, and with hands-free technology. A separate texting-while-driving ban is also a summary offense with a $50 fine.
Is a DUI a felony in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, DUI becomes a third-degree felony when the person has three or more prior offenses, or a prior conviction for homicide by vehicle while DUI. It is also a third-degree felony for a person with two prior offenses who refused testing or violated the highest-BAC or controlled-substance provisions (section 3802(c) or (d)); with three or more priors, that offense is a second-degree felony. DUI with a minor under 18 in the vehicle is a third-degree felony if the person has two or more prior offenses. Prior offenses generally count if they occurred within 10 years before the current offense. Certain prior diversion-related violations under section 3802(h)(1) can also raise the grade.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Pennsylvania?
PennDOT automatically expunges Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) records for DUI from the driving record after 10 years, provided the person's license was not revoked as a habitual offender and the person was not a commercial driver at the time of the violation. For grading and penalties, prior DUI offenses count if they occurred within 10 years.
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Pennsylvania?
Legal and used. Pennsylvania law allows police engaged in a 'systematic program of checking vehicles or drivers' to stop vehicles. Pennsylvania State Police and local agencies run DUI checkpoints, often funded by PennDOT. For example, troopers announced DUI checkpoints and increased roving patrols in Mifflin and Juniata counties in May 2026 and described a checkpoint stop as brief and routine.
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