What's on your Pennsylvania driving record and how to get it
Your Pennsylvania driving record is a document maintained by PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) that shows your driving history for the past three years. It lists traffic violations, accidents you reported, license suspensions, and points assessed against your license. You can request your own record in person, by mail, or online through PennDOT's website.
The easiest way is online through the PennDOT portal at www.dmv.pa.gov. You'll need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online version costs $5 and you receive it when ready. If you prefer to go in person, visit any PennDOT Driver License Center with your ID and pay the same fee. By mail, send a completed form DL-43 (available on the PennDOT website) along with a check or money order to the address listed on the form; processing takes about two weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Your Pennsylvania driving record shows violations, accidents, and license points for the past three years and can be obtained online, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office.
- Points stay on your record for three years from the violation date, and accumulating 6 or more points in 12 months triggers a license suspension.
- Traffic violations in Pennsylvania carry point values ranging from 2 points for minor infractions to 8 points for serious offenses like reckless driving.
- You can request a hearing to contest points or violations, and some violations may be removed through defensive driving courses or other remedies.
- Your driving record affects insurance rates, employment opportunities, and your ability to maintain your license.
How Pennsylvania's point system works
Pennsylvania uses a point system to track driving violations. Each type of violation carries a specific point value. Minor infractions like speeding 1–5 mph over the limit cost 2 points, while more serious violations like reckless driving cost 8 points. Careless driving costs 3 points, and driving under the influence (DUI) costs 6 points. Accumulating 6 or more points within 12 months results in an automatic license suspension.
Points remain on your record for three years from the date of the violation, not from when you paid the fine. This means a violation from three years and one day ago will no longer appear on your record. If you receive a suspension, you must complete a remedial driving course and pay a reinstatement fee before you can drive again. The fee varies but typically ranges from $65 to $100.
Not all violations add points to your license. Parking tickets, for example, do not appear on your driving record at all. Equipment violations (like a broken taillight) typically do not carry points either, though you still must pay the fine and correct the problem.
What violations appear on your record
Your driving record includes every traffic violation you received while driving in Pennsylvania or out of state (through reciprocal reporting agreements). This covers speeding, running red lights, reckless driving, DUI, driving with a suspended license, and failure to stop for police. It also includes accidents you reported to police or your insurance company, though accidents alone do not add points—only violations do.
Convictions appear on your record, but dismissed charges and acquittals do not. If you were charged with a violation but the case was dismissed or you were found not guilty, you can request that the record be corrected. Contact the court that handled your case for documentation, then submit it to PennDOT with a written request for correction.
License suspensions and revocations also appear on your record. These show the reason for the suspension (points, DUI, failure to pay fines, or other causes), the suspension start date, and the reinstatement date or conditions.
Checking your record before explore for jobs or insurance
Many employers and insurance companies request your driving record before hiring you or issuing a policy. Employers in transportation, delivery, rideshare, and commercial driving roles almost always check. Insurance companies use your record to calculate premiums—violations and accidents typically raise your rates. Getting your own copy first lets you see what they will see and correct any errors before they affect your job prospects or insurance costs.
If your record contains errors, contact PennDOT when ready with documentation of the correction. For example, if a violation was dismissed but still appears, submit the court's dismissal order. Corrections can take several weeks, so start early if you know you have a job process or insurance renewal coming up.
How to dispute violations or request a hearing
If you believe a violation on your record is incorrect or unfair, you have the right to request a hearing. You must do this within a specific timeframe—usually 10 days from the date you received the citation, though this varies by court. Contact the traffic court in the county where the violation occurred to request a hearing date.
At the hearing, you can present your side of what happened and challenge the officer's account. You can also present evidence, such as photos, witness statements, or documentation that you completed a required repair. If the judge finds in your favor, the violation is dismissed and does not appear on your record.
Some violations can be reduced or dismissed through other means. For example, equipment violations are sometimes dismissed if you fix the problem and show proof to the court. Speeding violations in some cases can be reduced to a non-moving violation, which carries no points.
Defensive driving courses and point reduction
Pennsylvania allows drivers to reduce points on their record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can remove up to 4 points by taking one course, but you can only do this once every 12 months. The course must be approved by PennDOT; you can find a list of approved providers on the PennDOT website.
Courses are typically offered online or in person and take 6 to 8 hours to complete. You pay the course provider directly—costs vary but usually range from $30 to $70. After you finish, the provider sends your completion certificate to PennDOT, and the points are removed within a few weeks. This is one of the most straightforward ways to keep points from triggering a suspension.
Taking a defensive driving course also may lower your insurance premiums. Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who complete approved courses, so check with your insurer before enrolling.
License suspension and reinstatement
If you accumulate 6 or more points within 12 months, PennDOT will suspend your license. You will receive a notice in the mail stating the suspension start date and the length of the suspension. For a first suspension due to points, the suspension is typically 30 days. If you accumulate points again after reinstatement, the next suspension is longer.
To reinstate your license after a suspension, you must complete a remedial driving course (different from a defensive driving course) and pay a reinstatement fee. The remedial course is mandatory and covers safe driving practices and the consequences of violations. You cannot drive during the suspension period, even with a work permit, unless you obtain a limited license for essential purposes (which requires a separate request and approval).
After you complete the course and pay the fee, your license is reinstated. You will receive a new license in the mail or can pick it up at a PennDOT Driver License Center. If you receive another suspension within a certain period, the penalties increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do violations stay on my Pennsylvania driving record?
Violations remain on your record for three years from the date of the violation. After three years, they no longer appear on your record and do not count toward a license suspension. However, serious violations like DUI may have longer-lasting consequences for insurance and employment.
Can I remove a violation from my record if I was found not guilty?
Yes. If you were acquitted or the charges were dismissed, the violation should not appear on your record. Contact the court that handled your case for documentation of the dismissal or acquittal, then send it to PennDOT with a written request for correction. Include your driver's license number and the violation details.
What happens if I get a violation while my license is suspended?
Driving with a suspended license is a serious violation that carries 6 points and can result in additional fines and jail time. It also extends your suspension period. If you need to drive during a suspension, request a limited license from PennDOT for essential purposes like work or medical appointments.
Do accidents appear on my driving record even if I wasn't at fault?
Accidents appear on your record if you reported them to police or your insurance company, regardless of fault. However, accidents alone do not add points to your license. Only violations (like careless driving or failure to yield) add points. Your insurance company may still raise your rates after an accident.
Can I check someone else's driving record?
No. Pennsylvania law restricts access to driving records. Only the driver, their attorney, insurance companies, employers with written consent, and certain government agencies can view a record. You cannot check a family member's or friend's record without their permission.