How to check your Pennsylvania driving record and points
You can check your Pennsylvania driving record and point total through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) website, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office. The fastest method is online through the Driver and Vehicle Services portal at www.dmv.pa.gov. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to pull up your record when ready. If you prefer not to use the website, you can request a copy by mail or visit a local PennDOT office with your license and proof of identity.
Your point total appears on your official driving record, which shows every traffic violation you have received in the past three years. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, not from the date of the violation. Understanding your current point total matters because Pennsylvania suspends your license automatically when you reach 6 points within a 12-month period.
Key Takeaways
- The Pennsylvania DMV website at www.dmv.pa.gov lets you check your points and driving record when ready using your license number and date of birth.
- Points remain on your record for three years from the conviction date, and reaching 6 points within 12 months triggers an automatic license suspension.
- You can also request your record by mail from PennDOT or visit a local office in person if you do not have internet access.
- Different violations carry different point values — a speeding ticket may be 2 to 5 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving.
Using the PennDOT website to view your record
Go to www.dmv.pa.gov and select "Driver and Vehicle Services" from the main menu. Click on "Check Your Driving Record" or look for the link labeled "View Your Driving Record Online." You will be asked to enter your Pennsylvania driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will display your current record within seconds.
Your online record shows every conviction from the past three years, the violation date, the conviction date, the point value, and the date the points will drop off your record. Print or save this page if you need it for insurance purposes or to show an employer. The record you see online is the same one that insurance companies and law enforcement can access.
Requesting your record by mail or in person
If you do not have internet access or prefer a physical copy, you can request your driving record by mail. Contact PennDOT at 717-787-2937 and ask for a copy of your driving record to be mailed to you. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and current address. Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days.
You can also visit any PennDOT Driver License Center in person. Bring your current driver's license and one form of proof of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate. Staff will print your record on the spot. PennDOT offices are located in most counties; search for the nearest one at www.dmv.pa.gov under "Office Locator."
How Pennsylvania's point system works
Pennsylvania assigns points based on the type and severity of the violation. A speeding ticket 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points; 11 to 25 miles per hour over is 4 points; and 26 miles per hour or more over is 5 points. Reckless driving is 4 points. Failure to obey a traffic signal is 3 points. Careless driving is 3 points. A single violation can range from 2 to 6 points depending on what you were cited for.
Your license is suspended automatically when you accumulate 6 points within a 12-month period. Once suspended, you must wait until your point total drops below 6 before you can drive again. Points do not disappear when ready after three years — they drop off on the exact date that marks three years from your conviction date. If you received a conviction on March 15, 2022, those points fall off on March 15, 2025.
What to do if you are close to 6 points
If your current total is 4 or 5 points, you are at risk of suspension with one more violation. The safest action is to avoid any traffic violations until enough time has passed for older points to drop off your record. Check your record every few months to track when points will expire.
If you have already been suspended, you cannot drive until your point total falls below 6. You can request reinstatement once your points drop, but you must also pay a reinstatement fee to PennDOT. The fee is $100 for a first suspension. After reinstatement, your license will be valid again, though the points remain on your record until the three-year period is complete.
Points from out-of-state violations
If you received a traffic ticket in another state, Pennsylvania may add points to your record through the Interstate Compact agreement. Most states report violations to your home state, so an out-of-state speeding ticket can count toward your Pennsylvania suspension total. Check your online record to see whether out-of-state violations appear on it.
The point value assigned to an out-of-state violation depends on Pennsylvania's rules for the equivalent violation, not the other state's rules. If you were speeding 15 miles per hour over the limit in New York, Pennsylvania will assign 4 points because that matches Pennsylvania's 11 to 25 miles per hour category, regardless of what New York called it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see a new violation on my record?
A violation appears on your driving record once you are convicted, not when you receive the ticket. If you pay the ticket or plead guilty, the conviction is recorded within a few days to a week. If you contest the ticket in court, the conviction date is when the judge rules against you or you change your plea. Check your record online a week after your conviction date to see the points added.
Can I remove points from my record early?
No. Points cannot be removed before the three-year period ends, even if you take a defensive driving course. However, completing an approved defensive driving course can prevent 3 points from being added to your record if you are cited for a violation while the course is in progress. You can take one course every 12 months for this purpose.
Will my insurance company see my points?
Yes. Insurance companies can access your driving record and will see all violations and points from the past three to five years, depending on the company's policy. A violation on your record will likely increase your insurance rates. The increase depends on the severity of the violation and your insurer's rules.
What happens if I reach 6 points while driving?
Your license is suspended automatically once PennDOT processes your conviction and your total reaches 6 points. You will receive a suspension notice in the mail. You cannot drive legally until you request reinstatement and your point total drops below 6. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense.