Pennsylvania · Handbook chapter 8 · 8 min read

Pennsylvania's point system, suspensions and revocations, driving without insurance, what to do when police stop you and after a crash, fleeing police, the Driver's License Compact, seat belt and child seat laws, air bags, the hands-free phone law and other laws.

Why this chapter matters

PennDOT keeps a driving record for every licensed driver, built from police and court reports. The test asks about points, what to do after a crash and Pennsylvania's seat belt and child seat rules.

The point system

Points are added when you are found guilty of certain violations. PennDOT acts once you reach six points:

Completing the sanctions after a hearing removes 2 points. Skipping the hearing or the school brings an indefinite suspension until you comply.

• A driver under 18 is suspended for six or more points or for a conviction of driving 26 mph or more over the limit: 90 days the first time, 120 days after that.
• Three points come off for every 12 consecutive months without a violation, suspension or revocation. Once at zero for 12 months, any new points count as a first accumulation.
• Examples from the manual: speeding in a school zone brings 3 points; failing to stop for a school bus brings 5 points; a Move Over violation and driving around a road-closed barrier each bring 2 points.

Suspensions and revocations

Convictions that lead to suspension or revocation include DUI, a felony using a vehicle, homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, racing, fleeing police, driving while suspended, driving without lights to avoid identification, hit-and-run, a second unlicensed-driving offense within five years, not stopping for a school bus (60 days), ignoring a railroad gate (30 days) and certain Move Over violations.

• PennDOT mails a notice with the start date. You must return your license by then, and handing it in early does not start the suspension early.
• You can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas in your county within 30 days of the notice's mailing date.
• After restoration your record shows five points, whatever it showed before, except after a 15-day hearing suspension or a suspension for not answering a citation.

Driving without insurance

You must keep liability insurance on your registered vehicle at all times. A lapse of 31 days or more brings a three-month registration suspension, and a three-month license suspension if you drove or allowed the vehicle to be driven. To restore, you need proof of insurance and the restoration fees.

Fleeing police

Fleeing or trying to elude police brings a one-year suspension, a $500 fine plus costs and possibly prison.

When police stop you

Police use flashing red and blue lights, though an unmarked car may show red only, sometimes with white lights. A vehicle flashing only blue lights is not police.

• Signal, pull as far right as is safe, stop and park away from traffic.
• Turn off the engine and radio and open your window. At night, turn on the interior light before the officer reaches you.
• Keep your hands on the wheel, keep movement to a minimum and ask passengers to keep their hands visible. Tell the officer at once if you carry a firearm.
• Stay in the car with the doors closed unless asked to get out, and keep your seat belt on until the officer has seen it.
• Hand over only the documents asked for, not your wallet. Be polite; if you disagree with a citation, you can argue it in court.
• If you are unsure the vehicle is really police, acknowledge with your flashers, drive slowly to a well-lit, busy place, and ask for identification.

Crashes

Do not stop at a crash unless you are involved or help has not arrived. If you are in a crash:

1. Stop at or near the scene, and move off the road if you can.
2. Call police if anyone is hurt or killed, or if a vehicle must be towed. If the drivers cannot, witnesses must call.
3. Exchange names and addresses, phone numbers, registration numbers and insurance details, and get witnesses' names and addresses.
4. If you hit a parked vehicle or property, try to find the owner. If you cannot, leave a visible note with the date, time, your name and phone number, and call police.
5. If police do not investigate and someone was hurt or killed or a vehicle was towed, send a Driver's Accident Report (AA-600) to PennDOT within five days.

Driver's License Compact

Member states share one license and one record per driver: you surrender your old license when you move, your home state keeps your full record, and out-of-state convictions are reported home and treated as if they happened there. In Pennsylvania that includes vehicle manslaughter, DUI, failing to stop and help after an injury crash and felonies using a vehicle. Ignoring an out-of-state citation suspends your Pennsylvania privilege until you respond.

Other laws

Name and address changes

Tell PennDOT within 15 days of a name or address change, even if you move out of state. The update card is free for non-commercial drivers and must be carried with your license.

Seat belts

• The driver and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts.
• Passengers aged 8 to 17 must be belted in any seat.
• Drivers under 18 may not carry more passengers than there are seat belts.

In a crash your body keeps moving at the vehicle's speed. Hitting the dashboard at 30 mph is like falling from a three-story building, and an unbelted person can be killed at speeds as low as 12 mph. You have about 1/50th of a second to stop your body, too fast for arms and legs. You are almost 25 times more likely to be killed if thrown from the vehicle.

Child restraints

The driver is responsible for buckling up children. Never put a rear-facing seat in front of an air bag, and children 12 and under should ride in the back.

Air bags and hot cars

Air bags add to seat belts; they do not replace them. Sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel. Never leave a child or pet alone in a car: in the low 80s Fahrenheit, a car can reach deadly temperatures in 10 minutes, even with a window open two inches. Bulky winter coats can leave a car seat harness dangerously loose.

Accessible parking

To park in a space for persons with disabilities, the vehicle must show a disability plate or placard and be carrying the person it was issued for. Violators can be towed and fined $50 to $200.

Littering

Throwing or dropping trash from a vehicle can cost up to $300, and the driver can be fined for what passengers throw out.

Inspection

Vehicles need a safety inspection every 12 months, and may be inspected up to 90 days early. Many counties also require emissions testing. If police spot faulty equipment, you may have five days to fix it.

Phones: the hands-free law

Since June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania bans holding a phone or other interactive mobile device while driving, and police can stop you for it alone (a primary offense). For the first 12 months the penalty was a written warning. From June 5, 2026, it is a $50 fine plus court costs and fees. You may use a device after pulling to the side of or off the road and stopping where the vehicle can safely stay, or in an emergency to contact police or emergency services. The older ban on texting while driving also carries a $50 fine. (PennDOT's distracted driving page, checked November 1, 2026; the online manual does not yet cover the hands-free law.)

Roads closed for hazards

Driving around signs or devices that close a road because of hazards such as flooding brings 2 points and a fine of up to $250, or up to $500 plus the cost of the response if emergency crews are called out.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide has no smell. Drowsiness, headache, dizziness or nausea can be signs. Have the exhaust checked, never run the car in a closed garage, clear snow from the tailpipe and crack a window when idling.