Driving on a suspended license in Pennsylvania is a criminal offense that carries jail time, fines, and a longer suspension
If your Pennsylvania driver's license is suspended and you drive anyway, you are committing a crime. The state treats this as a separate offense from whatever caused the suspension in the first place. A first offense can result in up to 90 days in jail, a fine between $200 and $500, and an additional license suspension of at least 12 months. A second or subsequent offense within five years carries up to two years in jail and fines up to $5,000, plus another suspension.
The suspension itself does not expire just because you ignore it. Driving during the suspension period only adds criminal charges on top of the original reason your license was suspended. You will still have to resolve the underlying suspension before you can legally drive again.
Key Takeaways
- Driving with a suspended license in Pennsylvania is a separate criminal charge that can result in jail time, fines up to $5,000, and an extended suspension.
- Pennsylvania courts can impose an additional 12-month minimum suspension on top of your existing suspension if you are convicted of driving while suspended.
- You can find out why your license is suspended by contacting PennDOT directly or checking your driving record through their website.
- If you need to drive before your suspension ends, you may be able to request a limited license for work, school, or medical reasons through the court that issued the suspension.
Why your license gets suspended in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania suspends licenses for specific reasons, and the suspension stays in effect until you address that reason. The most common causes are unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, DUI convictions, and failure to maintain car insurance. Some suspensions are automatic — for example, if you are convicted of DUI, your license is suspended when ready.
You may not know your license is suspended if you have not checked your status recently. PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) sends notice by mail, but mail can be delayed or missed. The safest way to know is to check your driving record yourself through the PennDOT website or by calling their driver services line at 717-391-6190.
What happens if you are stopped while driving suspended
When a police officer runs your license during a traffic stop, the suspension shows up when ready in their system. You will be cited for driving with a suspended license, which is a separate charge from whatever caused the stop. The officer may impound your vehicle, depending on the circumstances and whether this is a repeat offense.
You will be given a court date for the suspended license charge. This is not a traffic ticket — it is a criminal misdemeanor. You will need to appear in the district court in the county where you were stopped. If you do not show up, a warrant can be issued for your arrest.
The difference between suspension and revocation
Suspension means your license is temporarily taken away, but you can get it back once you meet certain conditions — pay a fine, complete a program, or wait out a set period. Revocation means your license is permanently cancelled, and you must reapply from scratch, usually after a waiting period.
Pennsylvania revokes licenses for serious offenses like multiple DUI convictions or refusing a breathalyzer test. If your license is revoked rather than suspended, you cannot straightforward wait for the suspension to end — you will have to go through the full reinstatement process with PennDOT, which includes paying a reinstatement fee and sometimes taking a written test again.
How to find out why your license is suspended
Contact PennDOT's driver services line at 717-391-6190 during business hours. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. They will tell you the reason for the suspension and what you need to do to get it lifted.
You can also check your driving record online through the PennDOT website. A three-year record costs $5 and shows all suspensions, points, and violations. This record is useful if you need to show proof of your status to an employer or court.
Getting a limited license while suspended
If your license is suspended and you need to drive for work, school, or medical treatment, you can request a limited license from the court that issued the suspension. A limited license allows you to drive only for specific purposes and only during certain hours — typically to and from work or medical appointments.
To request a limited license, you must file a petition with the district court in the county where the suspension was ordered. You will need to show that you have a genuine hardship and that you have no other way to meet that need. The court decides whether to grant it. Even with a limited license, you cannot drive for any other purpose, and you must carry the limited license document with you at all times while driving.
Resolving the underlying suspension
Before your license can be reinstated, you must address whatever caused the suspension. If it was unpaid fines, you must pay them. If it was failure to maintain insurance, you must show proof of current coverage. If it was a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program. If it was accumulation of points, you may need to wait out the suspension period or take a defensive driving course.
Once you have met the conditions, contact PennDOT to confirm the suspension has been lifted. Do not assume it is automatically removed. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for the suspension. After reinstatement, your license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back when ready after paying what I owe?
No. After you pay outstanding fines or meet other conditions, PennDOT still needs time to process the reinstatement. This usually takes five to ten business days. Your license will be mailed to you after processing is complete, which adds another two to three weeks. Do not drive until you have the reinstated license in hand.
What if I was not aware my license was suspended?
Lack of awareness is not a legal defense. Pennsylvania law holds drivers responsible for knowing their license status. If you did not receive the suspension notice, that is unfortunate, but it does not prevent the criminal charge if you are caught driving. The best protection is to check your status regularly through PennDOT.
Will a suspended license charge show up on a background check?
Yes. A conviction for driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor and will appear on your criminal record. This can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing. It is important to take the charge seriously and consider speaking with a criminal defense attorney before your court date.
Can I get the suspended license charge dismissed if I fix the suspension before court?
Fixing the underlying suspension does not automatically dismiss the criminal charge. However, some judges may consider it favorably during sentencing. You should still appear in court and may want to consult an attorney about your options. The charge and the suspension are separate legal matters.