Key points
PennDOT begins corrective action when a record reaches 6 or more points.
Source: Handbook p. 79
“PennDOT begins to take corrective action when a driving record reaches six (6) or more points.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 79The first time you reach 6 points, you must take a written special point examination.
Source: Handbook p. 79
“When a driving record reaches six (6) or more points for the first time, the driver will receive a written notice to take a written special point examination.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 79For drivers under 18, the first suspension for points or speeding is 90 days and later ones are 120 days.
Source: Handbook p. 79
“the driving privilege of a person under the age of 18 will be suspended if that person accumulates six (6) or more points or is convicted of driving 26 mph or more over the posted speed limit. The first suspension will be for a period of 90 days. Any additional occurrences will result in a suspension of 120 days.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 79Three points come off your record for every 12 consecutive months without a violation or suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 79
“Three (3) points are removed from a driving record for every 12 consecutive months in which a person is not under suspension or revocation”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 79Ignoring a railroad crossing gate or barrier brings a 30 day suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 79
“Failure to comply with a railroad crossing gate or barrier (30-day suspension).”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 79If your vehicle was uninsured for 31 days or longer, your registration is suspended for three months.
Source: Handbook p. 80
“If PennDOT finds your vehicle was not covered by insurance for a period of 31 days or longer, your registration will be suspended for three (3) months.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 80If police do not investigate a crash with injury, death or a towed vehicle, send a Driver's Accident Report within five days.
Source: Handbook p. 81
“If the police do not investigate a crash and someone has died or been injured, or if a vehicle must be towed, send a Driver's Accident Report Form (AA-600) within five (5) days”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 81Fleeing or trying to elude police brings a one year suspension and a $500 fine.
Source: Handbook p. 81
“the penalty is a one-year suspension of the driving privilege, a fine of $500, plus court costs and other fees, and could include imprisonment.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 81Report a name or address change to PennDOT within 15 days, even if moving out of state.
Source: Handbook p. 89
“if your name or address is changed, you must notify PennDOT within 15 days of that change even if moving out of state.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 89Your vehicle needs a safety inspection at an authorized station every 12 months.
Source: Handbook p. 92
“Your vehicle must have a safety inspection at an authorized inspection station every 12 months.”
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 92
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 6 points | point total that triggers PennDOT action | Handbook p. 79 |
| 18 | age below which points bring a suspension | Handbook p. 79 |
| 90 days | first under 18 suspension | Handbook p. 79 |
| 120 days | later under 18 suspensions | Handbook p. 79 |
| 3 points | removed per clean year | Handbook p. 79 |
| 12 months | clean period that removes points | Handbook p. 79 |
| 30 days | suspension for ignoring a railroad gate | Handbook p. 79 |
| 31 days | uninsured period that triggers suspension | Handbook p. 80 |
| 3 months | registration suspension for no insurance | Handbook p. 80 |
| 5 days | to file a driver's accident report | Handbook p. 81 |
| $500 | fine for fleeing police | Handbook p. 81 |
| 15 days | to report a name or address change | Handbook p. 89 |
| 12 months | safety inspection interval | Handbook p. 92 |
3 questions from the Pennsylvania practice test
1. When a Pennsylvania driving record reaches six or more points for the first time, what notice is sent?
- A mandatory vehicle registration inspection
- An automatic six-month license revocation
- A warning with no examination or hearing
- A written notice allowing a special point examination or Driver Improvement School
Show answer
A written notice allowing a special point examination or Driver Improvement School. At a first accumulation of six or more points, PennDOT offers a choice of a written Special Point Examination or Driver Improvement School. PennDOT's online point system page states that passing the examination removes two points and that successfully completing the school removes four. A later accumulation of six or more points requires a Departmental Hearing and Driver Improvement School, so this first occurrence differs from the rules for subsequent point accumulations.
2. After a Pennsylvania driver completes 12 consecutive months without a qualifying violation or sanction, how many points are removed?
- 1 point
- 3 points
- 4 points
- All points, regardless of the record total
Show answer
3 points. Pennsylvania removes three points after each 12 month stretch in which the driver avoids suspension, revocation, and any new violation that assigns points or causes a sanction. The one point choice understates the credit, and wiping out the entire record ignores the fixed amount. Once the record reaches zero and stays there for another year, a later accumulation is treated as a first accumulation. Mark each clean year as a three point reduction.
3. PennDOT finds that a registered Pennsylvania vehicle lacked insurance for at least 31 days. Which consequence follows?
- Only the registration is suspended for one month
- The vehicle is permanently barred from registration
- The driver receives a warning but no suspension
- The registration is suspended for three months, and the driving privilege may also be suspended for three months
Show answer
The registration is suspended for three months, and the driving privilege may also be suspended for three months. A lapse lasting 31 days or longer suspends the vehicle registration for three months. If the owner operated the vehicle or allowed it to be operated without insurance, the driving privilege also receives a three month suspension. The one month choice changes the statutory period, while the warning choice overlooks the registration action. Restoration requires proof that the vehicle is insured and payment of the required fees, so insurance must remain active on every registered vehicle.
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Source: the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 4: Driving Record Information. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.