A Pennsylvania traffic ticket can have consequences extending far beyond the original fine. Certain moving violations add points to a driver’s record. Others can trigger a license suspension even when no points are assessed. More serious traffic offenses, including driving under a DUI-related suspension, may result in possible incarceration.
For drivers in Philadelphia and across Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Chester Counties, understanding these consequences before pleading guilty or simply paying a citation is essential. This reference guide explains Pennsylvania’s traffic point system, identifies common point-bearing violations, and examines offenses that can result in license suspension or jail under 75 Pa.C.S.
1. How Pennsylvania’s Driver’s License Point System Works
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintains a driving record for licensed Pennsylvania motorists. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1535, points are assessed following convictions for certain traffic offenses.
PennDOT begins taking corrective action when a driving record reaches six or more points. A driver’s accumulated points can affect future administrative requirements, and certain convictions may have substantial insurance consequences. Importantly, not every traffic conviction carries points, and not every suspension results from accumulating points; some offenses trigger separate, immediate statutory penalties.
2. Pennsylvania Speeding Ticket Points (75 Pa.C.S. § 3362)
Speeding is one of the most common reasons motorists receive traffic citations. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3362, Pennsylvania generally assigns points according to how far a driver exceeds the posted speed limit:
| Speed Over Posted Limit | License Points Assessed | PennDOT Administrative Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 mph over | 0 Points | Fine only (no points on PA license) |
| 6–10 mph over | 2 Points | Points added to PennDOT driving record |
| 11–15 mph over | 3 Points | Points added; 15-day suspension if in active work zone |
| 16–25 mph over | 4 Points | Points added; significant insurance impact |
| 26–30 mph over | 5 Points | Immediate PennDOT sanctions; junior driver suspension |
| 31 mph or more over | 5 Points + Hearing | Mandatory PennDOT departmental hearing, 15-day suspension or special exam |
Driving 31 mph or more over the posted limit can result in a mandatory PennDOT hearing and additional departmental penalties. Drivers under 18 face separate, stricter suspension provisions for speeding 26 mph or more above the limit. Speeding in an active work zone or school zone can also involve additional statutory suspensions.
3. Pennsylvania Moving Violations: Points Reference Chart
The following statutory schedules identify common traffic offenses under Pennsylvania Vehicle Code § 1535:
Traffic Signals, Signs, and Right-of-Way Violations
| Violation Description | PA Vehicle Code | Points Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Running a red light (Officer-issued) | § 3112(a)(3) | 3 Points |
| Failing to stop at a flashing red signal | § 3114(a)(1) | 3 Points |
| Running a stop sign | § 3323(b) | 3 Points |
| Failing to yield at a yield sign | § 3323(c) | 3 Points |
| Failing to yield to driver on right at intersection | § 3321 | 3 Points |
| Failing to yield when making a left turn | § 3322 | 3 Points |
| Failing to yield when entering road between intersections | § 3324 | 3 Points |
| Failing to stop when entering from alley, driveway, or building | § 3344 | 3 Points |
| Disobeying police officer directing traffic | § 3102 | 2 Points |
| Disobeying traffic-control device warning of hazardous conditions | § 3111.1 | 2 Points |
Passing, Following, and Turning Violations
| Violation Description | PA Vehicle Code | Points Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Failing to yield half roadway to oncoming vehicle | § 3302 | 3 Points |
| Improper passing | §§ 3303–3305 | 3 Points |
| Improper passing in specified hazardous circumstances | § 3306(a)(1) | 4 Points |
| Other improper passing under § 3306 | § 3306(a)(2)–(3) | 3 Points |
| Improper passing on hill or curve | § 3307 | 3 Points |
| Following too closely (tailgating) | § 3310 | 3 Points |
| Improper U-turn or turning around | § 3332 | 3 Points |
| Improper backing | § 3702 | 3 Points |
Pedestrians, Emergency Vehicles, and Other Moving Violations
| Violation Description | PA Vehicle Code | Points Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Careless driving — ordinary offense | § 3714(a) | 3 Points |
| Driving too fast for conditions | § 3361 | 2 Points |
| Failure to yield to pedestrian in a crosswalk | § 3542(a) | 2 Points |
| Failure to yield to pedestrian on a sidewalk | § 3547 | 3 Points |
| Failure to yield to a blind pedestrian | § 3549(a) | 3 Points |
| Move Over Law violations | § 3327(a), (a.1) | 2 Points |
| Leaving scene of an accident involving property damage | § 3745 | 4 Points |
| Violating a driver’s license restriction | § 1512 | 2 Points |
| Certain license-related violations | § 1571 | 3 Points |
Important: Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1535(b), points for careless driving (§ 3714) or driving too fast for conditions (§ 3361) may not be assessed when a driver is also convicted of another point-bearing offense committed at the same time and place.
4. Traffic Violations That Can Cause Immediate License Suspension
Some Pennsylvania traffic convictions trigger mandatory driver’s license suspensions independently of the usual point accumulation process:
- Passing a Stopped School Bus (75 Pa.C.S. § 3345(a)): For officer-issued citations, a conviction carries 5 points, a mandatory 60-day license suspension, and a minimum $250 fine. Automated school bus camera citations are civil matters and do not impose points or suspension.
- Railroad Crossing Violations (75 Pa.C.S. § 3341(b)): Failing to comply with a railroad crossing gate or barrier carries 4 points and a mandatory 30-day license suspension.
- Reckless Driving (75 Pa.C.S. § 3736): Driving with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property triggers a mandatory 6-month driver’s license suspension under § 1532(b).
- Racing on Highways (75 Pa.C.S. § 3367): Carries an automatic 6-month license suspension.
- School-Zone Speeding (75 Pa.C.S. § 3365(b)): Carries 3 points; a second qualifying offense results in an automatic 60-day license suspension.
- Active Work-Zone Speeding (75 Pa.C.S. § 1535(e)): Exceeding the posted limit by 11 mph or more in an active work zone triggers a 15-day license suspension.
5. Driving Under a DUI-Related Suspension: Section 1543(b)
Driving while under a DUI-related license suspension or revocation under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1543(b) is one of the most severe offenses in the Vehicle Code because it carries statutory mandatory minimum jail terms:
| Offense Level | Statutory Jail Penalty | Fine & Additional Sanctions |
|---|---|---|
| First Conviction | Mandatory 60 days imprisonment | $500 fine + 1-year additional license suspension |
| Second Conviction | Mandatory 90 days imprisonment | $1,000 fine + 1-year additional license suspension |
| Third or Subsequent | Mandatory 6 months imprisonment | $2,500 fine, Misdemeanor grading, additional suspension |
6. What Happens When You Accumulate Six or More Points?
PennDOT enforces progressive corrective actions when an adult driver’s record reaches 6 points:
- First Accumulation of 6 Points: The driver must take and pass a written Special Point Examination within 30 days. Passing removes 2 points; failing results in an indefinite suspension until passed.
- Second Accumulation of 6 Points: The driver must attend a mandatory PennDOT Departmental Hearing, which may mandate attendance at driver improvement school or order a 15-day license suspension.
- Third or Subsequent Accumulation: Triggers a formal departmental hearing and an automatic 30-day driver’s license suspension.
- Reaching 11 or More Points: Results in automatic license suspensions scaled according to the number of prior suspensions.
Point Reduction: PennDOT removes 3 points from your record for every 12 consecutive months of violation-free driving.
7. Officer-Issued Tickets vs. Automated Camera Tickets
Philadelphia operates automated red-light cameras at key intersections and automated speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard. It is critical to recognize the legal distinction:
- Officer-Issued Citations: Issued directly by Philadelphia Police or PA State Police. They carry points, appear on your PennDOT driving record, affect insurance, and can trigger license suspensions.
- Automated Camera Citations: Civil enforcement infractions mailed to the registered vehicle owner. They do NOT carry license points, do not affect your driving record, and do not trigger license suspensions.
8. Contesting a Ticket at Philadelphia Municipal Court — Traffic Division
Ordinary traffic citations issued within Philadelphia are adjudicated at:
Philadelphia Municipal Court — Traffic Division
Address: 800 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Deadlines: You must enter your plea (guilty or not guilty) within 10 days of receiving the citation.
Action: Never ignore a citation. Failing to respond results in a license suspension notice and default conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does paying a traffic ticket mean pleading guilty?
Yes. Paying the fine constitutes an admission of guilt, resulting in an automatic conviction reported to PennDOT and the assessment of statutory points.
Can an attorney get points removed or reduced?
While no ethical attorney can guarantee an outcome, legal representation often succeeds in negotiating citations down to non-point offenses or identifying evidentiary flaws in radar, speed-timing, or officer testimony.
Can one traffic ticket cause an immediate suspension?
Yes. Officer-issued school bus violations (§ 3345), railroad gate violations (§ 3341), reckless driving (§ 3736), and § 1543(b) offenses carry mandatory direct suspensions regardless of prior point balances.
Legal References & Resources
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1535 — Schedule of Convictions and Points
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1532 — Suspension of Operating Privilege
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1543 — Driving While Operating Privilege is Suspended or Revoked
Consult Philadelphia Traffic Ticket Lawyer Mark D. Hauser
With over 30 years of courtroom experience, Attorney Mark D. Hauser represents motorists facing points, license suspensions, and serious § 1543(b) jail exposure in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
Have Questions About Your Case in Philadelphia?
Attorney Mark D. Hauser has over 30 years of experience in Pennsylvania criminal defense, PFA proceedings, DUI cases, and traffic court representation. Call 267-584-4093 for a free, confidential consultation.