As most drivers are aware, Pennsylvania maintains a point system which assigns penalty points to your driving record in the event you are convicted of certain traffic offenses. Generally, the more serious the offense involved, the more points that are assigned.
Accumulate enough points, and your license can be suspended and you can be required to attend safe driving school.
Here is a chart showing some of the most common driving offenses and the penalty points assigned for each offense:
| Offense | Points |
| Failure to stop/red light | 3 |
| Improper passing | 3 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| Failure to stop/stop sign | 3 |
| Failure to stop/school bus | 5 |
| Speeding 6-10 over | 2 |
| Speeding 11-15 over | 3 |
| Speeding 16-25 over | 4 |
| Speeding 26-30 over | 5 |
When your driving record accumulates 6 points or more for the first time, you must submit to a special examination by the Department of Transportation within 30 days. A second accumulation of 6 points or more can result in a 15 day license suspension, and a third accumulation of 6 points or more results in a departmental hearing and possible additional license suspension.
We recommend that clients always ask for a hearing on traffic citations, regardless of whether they believe they are guilty of the charged violation. Sometimes the same offense can fall within two different sections of the Vehicle Code, one of which carries points and the other carrying only a fine. In some cases the arresting officer can be persuaded to drop or reduce the charge to eliminate penalty points. Remember, your driver’s license is a valuable asset. Your family and your employment may depend on it. Call us if you need help protecting your license down the road.
— Kevin Palmer