Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a certified driver’s record online?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation does not offer an online driving record. Instead request a certified driving record in person or by mail.

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

Do I need to attend traffic school if I get a speeding ticket?
If you received a speeding citation and wanted to enroll in traffic school to reduce the points on your driving record, you cannot. Points are only reduced with safe driving behavior. However, if you receive a ticket and are required to appear in court, a judge may decide that you must take a traffic course in order to reinstate your drivers license.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

How can I pay for my traffic or parking ticket?
The different methods available for paying traffic fines depend on the county in which you were ticketed. Drivers can typically pay these tickets in the following ways:
  • Online, if your PA county features an online system.
  • By mail, if the information is located on your citation.
  • In person at the court where you were ticketed.

By phone with the local court.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?
If you believe somebody has gained unauthorized access to your account, then you should immediately notify the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. If you are currently within Pennsylvania, you can reach them at 1-800-932-4600. For those outside the state, call 1-717-412-5300. You can also submit a written complaint to the following:

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 1101 South Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17104

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

How do I get a copy of my driving record?
The state of Pennsylvania allows individuals to request a driving record in person or by mail. There is currently no available online option. You will need to fill out a Request for Driver Information and submit it in person at a DMV office. If making your request by mail, send the form, along with proper payment to the address below:

Bureau of Driver Licensing Driver Record Services PO Box 68695 Harrisburg, PA 17106-8695

For overnight shipping, send to:

Bureau of Driver Licensing Driver Record Services 1101 South Front Street, 3rd Floor Harrisburg, PA 17104-2516

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

How do I get a traffic ticket dismissed?
If you have been charged to pay traffic ticket fees in Pennsylvania, there are two methods you can pursue for getting the ticket dismissed:
  • You can show proof that you were not violating the law that you were accused of breaking.

o Providing proof of car insurance within a day of being fined for not having coverage may get your ticket dismissed.

  • You can go to traffic court with an attorney and contest the citation.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

How do I obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record?
If you want to get somebody else s DMV driving record, you will need to complete a Request for Driver Information and present this form at your local PA DOT or by mail. For mail requests, send the application, along with the appropriate fee to this address:

Bureau of Driver Licensing Driver Record Services PO Box 68695 Harrisburg, PA 17106-8695

If you would like to have the driving record sent to you overnight, then submit your request to this address instead:

Bureau of Driver Licensing Driver Record Services 1101 South Front Street, 3rd Floor Harrisburg, PA 17104-2516

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

How do I reinstate my license if I refused to submit a breath/urine/blood test?
The only way the reinstatement process varies from that of a standard DUI conviction is that drivers who refuse to take a breath/urine/blood test must endure an additional year of suspension for their actions. Once their combined suspension times are completed, these drivers must pay the necessary fines and fees.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Pennsylvania

How do I remove points from my driver’s license?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation does not allow drivers to remove points from driving records with traffic school courses. On the contrary, it takes safe driving practices. If a driver does not commit any violation that results in points or suspension for a period of 12 months, the DOT will remove three points from their record. In addition, if you can keep your points at zero for an entire year, the state will treat any ensuing points as if they were your first ever points.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

How many points can I get on my driving record before my driver’s license is suspended?
In the state of Pennsylvania, if a driver accumulates 11 or more points, his or her driver s license is suspended. To then have your driving privileges restored, you will need to complete your suspension period and any additional reinstatement requirements.

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

How many times can I attend a traffic school course to remove points from my driving record?
The state of Pennsylvania does not allow drivers to take a defensive driving course for the purpose of reducing points on their record. Traffic school can only be completed to receive discount on your car insurance, as part of reinstatement terms for a suspended drivers license or as a court-ordered requirement. You can find out more by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. If you are currently within Pennsylvania, you can reach them at 1-800-932-4600. For those outside the state, call 1-717-412-5300.

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

If I lost my traffic or parking ticket, how can I find the information again?
While some county websites will allow you to access information on your citation online, most will not. In these cases, one can call the court of the county where they were charged or a Pennsylvania DOT location to find out the specific information of their ticket.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

If my driver’s license was confiscated at the time of my DUI/DWI arrest, how do I get it back?
The specific steps for reinstating a drivers license after a DUI charge varies based on the severity of the offense. However, the basic steps are as follows:
  • Pay all fines and fees.
  • Attend an Alcohol Highway Safety Program.
  • Complete jail/parole/community service time, if necessary.
  • Obtain alcohol/drug treatment, when ordered.
  • Complete ignition interlock requirement, if applicable.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Pennsylvania

What are the different types of driving records?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation offers a number of drivers records, including these listed below:
  • Three-Year Driving Record
  • 10-Year Driving Record
  • Full History Record
  • Certified Driving Record
  • Certified copy of document from file
  • Copy of document from file (Microfilm)

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

What are the penalties of being convicted of driving under the influence?
The penalties for a violation of driving while intoxicated vary based on the severity and number of the offense. Common punishments for this crime include the following:
  • Costly fines
  • Alcohol Highway Safety Program
  • Jail, parole or community service time
  • Alcohol or drug treatment.
  • Ignition interlock installation

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Pennsylvania

What happens if I get traffic ticket fines and I have a CDL?
CDL drivers are required to do the following when they receive traffic fines:
  • Notify their employers
  • Notify the PA Department of Transportation, if they receive the ticket while they were out-of-state

Additionally, the penalty is a one-year suspension if the driver commits any of the following violations:

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

What information does a driving record contain?
Your Pennsylvania driving record includes the following information:
  • Any accidents you have been involved in
  • Any violations or offenses you have committed
  • The status of your drivers license

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

What is considered the legal alcohol limit?
What is the cost of a DUI?
The cost of driving under the influence varies widely based on how high the perpetrator s BAC was at the time of the violation and the number of the offense. The range is from $300, for a first-time DUI offender with general impairment all the way to $10,000 for a driver with the “highest” level BAC and two or more prior convictions.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Pennsylvania

What is the cost of a traffic ticket?
The cost of traffic ticket fees varies depending on the offense in question. However, you can expect the more serious violations, such as DUIs, to be much more costly than minor speeding tickets.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

What is the cost to get a driver record?
There are different fees associated with a PA driving record, depending on which one you want to get. The following driving records can be requested:
  • Three-Year Driving Record – $8
  • 10-Year Driving Record – $8 (For Employment Use only)
  • Full History Record – $8
  • Certified Driving Record – $30
  • Certified copy of document from file – $30
  • Copy of document from file (Microfilm) – $8

Fees are subject to change without notice.

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

What is the DUI penalty for a CDL driver?
Any commercial driver that is charged with an offense of driving under the influence will receive a one-year suspension. If the CDL driver was transporting hazardous materials, that suspension becomes three-years long. Furthermore, any subsequent DUI results in the lifetime disqualification of a CDL.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Pennsylvania

What is the DUI penalty for a minor?
Due to the fact that Pennsylvania is a zero-tolerance state, minors face serious penalties for driving while intoxicated, including:

o An extra year will be added if the driver refuses an alcohol test.

  • Drug/alcohol evaluation.
  • Alcohol Highway Safety Program enrollment.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Pennsylvania

What must I do to reinstate my driver’s license as a result of a DUI/DWI?
The specific steps for reinstating a drivers license after a DUI charge varies based on the severity of the offense. However, the basic steps are as follows:
  • Pay all fines and fees.
  • Attend an Alcohol Highway Safety Program.
  • Complete jail/parole/community service time, if necessary.
  • Obtain alcohol/drug treatment, when ordered.
  • Complete ignition interlock requirement, if applicable.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Pennsylvania

Where can I find more information about an ignition interlock device?
An ignition interlock device is a device that is sometimes mandated for a driver to have installed in their vehicle if they are convicted of driving while intoxicated. Only certain instances require that a driver obtain an ignition interlock device. As a condition of reinstating suspended drivers license, you may be responsible for the cost of an ignition interlock device. You can find out more information about these devices by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation s Ignition Interlock Device webpage.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Pennsylvania

Where can I find my traffic or parking ticket information online?
Some counties within the state will feature an online system for accessing information on parking or traffic tickets. Unfortunately, most of these county websites do not offer such services. If you live in a county that does not allow you to access this information digitally, call a DOT location or the court of the county where you were ticketed to find out more.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

Why doesn’t a recent traffic ticket I received appear on my driving record?
If you were recently issued a citation, your PA driving record may not currently reflect that updated information. You must wait roughly 10 to 15 days for a traffic ticket to be processed into your driving history. At that time, you can order a driving record and see how many points have been assessed.

For more information: Your Pennsylvania Driving Record

Will I have points against my driver’s license if I get a ticket?
There are a number of Pennsylvania traffic fines that also place points against your drivers license. These include:
  • Speeding citations.
  • Not stopping at a stop sign.
  • Passing a vehicle illegally.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Pennsylvania

Will I have to take an alcohol awareness class to reinstate my driver’s license?
No matter what number the offense or how high the BAC, the state of Pennsylvania requires all DUI offenders to enroll in an Alcohol Highway Safety Program.

For more information: Driving Schools