Suspended license in Pennsylvania: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Pennsylvania, the first points threshold is 6 points: First accumulation of 6 points: written notice to pass a special point examination or complete Driver Improvement School within 30 days; suspension until passed if not done. Drivers under 18: 90-day s. A Driver Improvement School (DIS) removes 4 points, only when PennDOT requires it: 4 points removed at a first accumulation of 6 or more points, 2 points at a second or subsequent accumulation, none for an excess. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $70.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Bureau of Driver Licensing states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
PennDOT maintains a driving record for every licensed driver and adds points when a driver is found guilty of certain moving violations. PennDOT begins corrective action at 6 or more points (a special point examination or Driver Improvement School, then departmental hearings), and when a record reaches 11 or more points the license is automatically suspended.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 points | — | First accumulation of 6 points: written notice to pass a special point examination or complete Driver Improvement School within 30 days; suspension until passed if not done. Drivers under 18: 90-day s | pa.gov |
| 6 points | — | Second and subsequent accumulation of 6 points: departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School; the Department may recommend a suspension not exceeding 15 days (second accumulation) or 30 days (th | pa.gov |
| 11 points | — | Automatic suspension: 5 days per point (first suspension), 10 days per point (second), 15 days per point (third), one year (subsequent) | palegis.us |
Points period stated by the agency: 1 year. Three points are removed for every 12 consecutive months in which the person is not under suspension or revocation and commits no violation resulting in points, suspension or revocation; once the record is reduced to zero and stays at zero for 12 consecutive months, any further points are treated as an initial accumulation. After a suspension is served the record shows 5 points.
“The driver has 30 days to successfully pass the exam or complete the Driver Improvement School. At the end of the 30 days, the driving privilege will be suspended until the exam or Driver Improvement School is passed.”
“Points recorded against any person shall be removed at the rate of three points for each 12 consecutive months in which such person is not under suspension or revocation or has not committed any violation which results in the assignment of points or in suspension or revocation under this chapter.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| 3362 Exceeding maximum speed (Miles over Speed Limit): 6 to 10 | 2 |
| 3362 Exceeding maximum speed (Miles over Speed Limit): 11 to 15 | 3 |
| 3362 Exceeding maximum speed (Miles over Speed Limit): 26 to 30 | 5 |
| 3714(a) Careless driving | 3 |
| 3345(a) Failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights (60-day suspension and) | 5 |
| 3745 Leaving scene of accident involving property damage only | 4 |
Check points or the driving record: pa.gov
The statute: 75 Pa.C.S. § 1539
“When any person's record shows an accumulation of 11 points or more, the department shall suspend the operating privilege of the person as provided in subsection (b).”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Driver Improvement School (DIS) |
|---|---|
| Effect | Removes or prevents points |
| Points removed | 4 |
| How often | only when PennDOT requires it: 4 points removed at a first accumulation of 6 or more points, 2 points at a second or subsequent accumulation, none for an excess |
PennDOT schedules the six-hour Driver Improvement School for drivers whose record first reaches 6 or more points (who may instead take the written Special Point Examination, which removes 2 points), for second and subsequent 6-point accumulations, and after a conviction for 31 mph or more over the limit (75 Pa.C.S. § 1538). It cannot be taken voluntarily to remove points. Failure to attend or pass results in an indefinite suspension until completed. Sessions are virtual or at listed Driver License Centers.
“If you elect to take DIS with the first six (6) or more point accumulation, four (4) points will be removed from your record. When DIS is completed with the second or subsequent six (6) or more point accumulation two (2) points will be removed from the record.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accumulation of 11 Points or More | When any driving record reaches 11 or more points the license is automatically suspended; the length depends on prior suspensions (5, 10 or 15 days per point, then one year). After restoration the record shows 5 points. | Serve the suspension, return the license product by the effective date on the notice, and pay the restoration fee before the license is returned; an appeal to the county Court of Common Pleas must be filed within 30 days of the notice mailing date. | $70 |
| Failure to Respond to a Citation | PennDOT suspends the operating privilege of a person who, after notice from an issuing authority or court, fails to respond to a citation or summons or to pay any fine, costs or restitution for a Vehicle Code violation other than parking (75 Pa.C.S. § 1533); the suspension is indefinite. | Suspension is indefinite until the court notifies PennDOT that the fine and costs have been paid in full or a payment installment agreement has been reached; then the restoration fee. | $70 |
| Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (operating without required insurance) | PennDOT suspends the operating privilege of the owner or registrant for three months if it determines the owner or registrant operated or permitted operation of the vehicle without the required financial responsibility (75 Pa.C.S. § 1786(d)). | Serve the three-month suspension (ineligible for an Occupational Limited License until the term is fully served), provide proof of insurance, and pay the $88 restoration fee that applies when § 1786(d) is the basis. | $88 |
| Motor vehicle judgment | An unsatisfied motor vehicle judgment reported to PennDOT results in an indefinite suspension. | Suspension is indefinite until the judgment is satisfied (paid in full) or a payment installment agreement is reached with the judgment creditor. | $70 |
| Excessive Speeding (31 mph or more over the posted limit) | A conviction for speeding 31 mph or more over the limit requires a Departmental Hearing and Driver Improvement School; PennDOT may recommend a special on-road examination or a suspension not exceeding 15 days. No points are removed for the school. | Attend the hearing and Driver Improvement School; failure results in suspension until completed. If a 15-day suspension is recommended, the record shows 5 points on restoration. | — |
| Failure to attend or pass Driver Improvement School or the special point examination | A driver scheduled for Driver Improvement School who is absent or fails the final exam is suspended indefinitely until the course is completed; the suspension starts about 42 days from the letter's mail date. | Successfully complete the Driver Improvement School (or pass the special point examination); Occupational Limited License is not available for §1538(a)/(b) sanctions until the exam or hearing is held. | — |
Source quotes for each cause
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.”
Failure to Respond to a Citation
“Court reported failure to respond to a traffic citation. Suspension is indefinite until Court notifies PennDOT that fine and cost for the citation has been paid in full or a payment installment agreement has been reached.”
Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (operating without required insurance)
“shall suspend the operating privilege of the owner or registrant for a period of three months if the department determines that the owner or registrant has operated or permitted the operation of the vehicle without the required financial responsibility.”
Motor vehicle judgment
“Motor vehicle judgment filed. Suspension is indefinite until judgment is satisfied (paid in full) or a payment installment agreement is reached with the judgment creditor.”
Excessive Speeding (31 mph or more over the posted limit)
“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 and a Driver Improvement School.”
Failure to attend or pass Driver Improvement School or the special point examination
“If you are scheduled to attend the class and are absent, your driving privilege will be suspended indefinitely until the course has been successfully completed.”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $70. 75 Pa.C.S. § 1960 sets a $70 fee to restore the operating privilege after a suspension or revocation, or $88 when the suspension is under § 1786(d) (required financial responsibility), § 1379 or § 1380. PennDOT states restoration fees are set by law and change every two years with the Consumer Price Index and can be paid online.
“The department shall charge a fee of $70 or, if section 1379 (relating to suspension of registration upon sixth unpaid parking violation in cities of the first class), 1380 (relating to suspension of registration upon unpaid tolls) or 1786(d)”
Obtain the Restoration Requirements Letter
The letter listing every requirement to restore the driving privilege is available free in real time online under Online Services > Restorations > Request Your DL Restoration Requirements Letter, or by mail through the Customer Care Center at 717-412-5300.
“A restoration requirements letter is a letter that lists all the requirements an individual must satisfy to restore their driving privilege.”
Serve the sanction and return the license
All term sanctions must be served in full; a non-term sanction such as an indefinite suspension remains until released. For a points suspension the license, permit or camera card must be returned to the Bureau of Driver Licensing by the effective date on the notice.
“All term (i.e., set period) sanctions must be served in full. A non-term sanction such as an indefinite suspension or recall remains in effect until released.”
Satisfy the listed requirements
Requirements vary by sanction: court notification that a citation is paid or on an installment plan, satisfaction of a judgment, proof of insurance, or completion of the special point examination or Driver Improvement School.
“To help with understanding the information listed in a restoration requirements letter, the following pages display the various restoration requirements that could appear on a letter along with a short explanation.”
Pay the restoration fee
The fee ($70, or $88 for § 1786(d) insurance-based suspensions) can be paid online under Online Services > Restorations > Pay Your Driver's License Restoration Fee.
“Restoration fees are set by law and are subject to change every two years based on the Consumer Price Index. Restoration fees can be paid online on PennDOT's website at www.dmv.pa.gov”
Restoration on the eligibility date
The letter shows the date the non-CDL driving privilege is eligible for restoration once all requirements are satisfied; after a points suspension the record shows 5 points.
“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”
Official page: pa.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Pennsylvania.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Occupational Limited License (OLL). An OLL is a limited license for a driver whose Pennsylvania driving privilege is suspended (not revoked, disqualified, cancelled or recalled) that authorizes driving a designated non-commercial vehicle only when necessary for occupation, work, trade, medical treatment or study. Eligibility depends on the violation: PennDOT's chart lists § 1533 (failure to respond to a citation) as ineligible until the citation is satisfied, § 1538(a)/(b) sanctions as ineligible until the exam or hearing is held, and § 1786(f) as ineligible until the suspension term is fully served; DUI and chemical-test-refusal suspensions are excluded by statute. The petition must be sent by certified mail to the address on form DL-15.
“An Occupational Limited License (OLL) is a limited driver's license issued to a driver whose Pennsylvania driving privilege has been suspended. If your driving privilege has been revoked, disqualified, cancelled or recalled, you are not eligible for an OLL.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Pennsylvania.
Questions about a suspended license in Pennsylvania
- How many points suspend a Pennsylvania license?
- Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1539, a record with 11 or more points is 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 any later suspension. PennDOT's point system fact sheet states corrective action starts at 6 points with a special point examination or Driver Improvement School.
- Can Pennsylvania points be removed by a course?
- Only when PennDOT requires it. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1538 and PennDOT's Driver Improvement School fact sheet, a first accumulation of 6 or more points allows a choice of the special written examination (2 points removed) or Driver Improvement School (4 points removed); a second or subsequent accumulation removes 2 points after the school. The course is not available voluntarily.
- How long do points stay on a Pennsylvania record?
- Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1537, three points are removed for every 12 consecutive months without a suspension, revocation or point-carrying violation. Once the record reaches zero and stays there for 12 months, later points are treated as an initial accumulation. PennDOT states a restored record shows 5 points after a suspension.
- What is the Pennsylvania restoration fee?
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1960 sets a $70 fee to restore the operating privilege after a suspension or revocation, and $88 when the suspension is for failure to maintain financial responsibility under § 1786(d). PennDOT's fact sheet states fees change every two years with the Consumer Price Index and may be paid online.
- What non-DUI suspensions does PennDOT describe?
- PennDOT's Restoration Requirements Letter fact sheet describes indefinite suspensions for a court-reported failure to respond to a traffic citation and for an unsatisfied motor vehicle judgment; its point system fact sheet covers 6- and 11-point sanctions and excessive speeding; and 75 Pa.C.S. § 1786(d) provides a three-month suspension for operating without required insurance.
Sources
- PennDOT - License Suspensions hub (OLL, Probationary License, Driver Improvement School, point system links)
- PennDOT Fact Sheet FS-PS - The Pennsylvania Point System (March 2024)
- PennDOT Fact Sheet FS-DIS - Driver Improvement School (March 2024)
- PennDOT Fact Sheet FS-OLL - Occupational Limited License (June 2022)
- PennDOT Fact Sheet FS-DPSRRL - Driving Privilege Sanctions and Restoration Requirements Letter (April 2023)
- PennDOT - Request a Copy of Driver Records
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1533 - Suspension for failure to respond to citation (palegis.us PDF)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1535 - Schedule of convictions and points (palegis.us PDF)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1537 - Removal of points (palegis.us PDF)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1538 - School, examination or hearing on accumulation of points or excessive speeding (palegis.us PDF)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1539 - Suspension on accumulation of points (palegis.us PDF)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1786 - Required financial responsibility (palegis.us PDF)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1960 - Reinstatement of operating privilege or vehicle registration; restoration fee (palegis.us PDF)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Pennsylvania license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/pennsylvania/suspended-license/