You can check your Pennsylvania driving record and points online, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office

Pennsylvania tracks violations and points on your driving record through the Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The fastest way to see your current points is through the online portal at www.dot.pa.gov, where you can pull your record in minutes using your driver's license number and date of birth. If you prefer not to go online, you can request a copy by mail or visit a PennDOT Driver License Center in person.

Points stay on your record for a set time depending on the violation. Most moving violations remain for three years from the date of conviction, though some serious violations like DUI stay longer. Pennsylvania uses a point system where minor infractions like speeding add 2 to 4 points, while more serious violations like reckless driving add 6 points. Once you reach 6 points, you receive a warning letter. At 11 points, your license is suspended for a set period.

Key Takeaways

  • The PennDOT website lets you check your points and violations when ready using your license number and date of birth.
  • Points from most moving violations stay on your record for three years from the conviction date, not from when you paid the fine.
  • You receive a warning letter at 6 points and a suspension notice at 11 points, so checking early gives you time to plan.
  • If you dispute a violation or had it dismissed in court, request a certified driving record to confirm the points were removed.

Checking your record online through PennDOT

Go to www.dot.pa.gov and look for the "Driver and Vehicle Services" section. Select "Check Your Driving Record" or "View Your Driving Record Online." You will need 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 points, all violations on your record, and the date each violation will drop off.

The online record updates within a few business days of a conviction being entered into the court system, so there may be a short lag between when you were convicted and when it appears. If you were recently convicted and do not see it yet, wait a few days and check again. The record is free and available 24 hours a day.

Requesting a certified copy by mail or in person

If you need an official certified copy of your driving record — for insurance purposes, a court case, or employment — you can request one by mail or pick it up at a PennDOT Driver License Center. Mail requests go to PennDOT's Records Section; the address is on the PennDOT website under "Contact Us." Include your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a check or money order. Processing takes about two weeks.

For faster service, visit a Driver License Center in person with your ID. You can find the nearest center and its hours on the PennDOT website. In-person requests are usually processed the same day, though some locations may require you to return for pickup. The fee for a certified record is typically under $10, though this varies by request type.

Understanding how points are added and removed

Pennsylvania assigns points based on the type of violation. Speeding 1 to 10 miles over the limit is 2 points; 11 to 15 miles over is 3 points; 16 to 25 miles over is 4 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Improper passing, failure to obey a traffic signal, and following too closely are each 3 points. DUI convictions add 6 points for a first offense and more for subsequent offenses.

Points are removed three years from the date of conviction, not from the date you paid the fine or completed a traffic school. If you were convicted on January 15, 2022, the points drop off on January 15, 2025. Some violations — particularly DUI and certain serious offenses — may stay longer or never drop off completely. You can see the exact removal date on your online record.

What happens at different point thresholds

At 6 points, PennDOT sends you a warning letter. This is not a suspension; it is a notice that you are halfway to a suspension. The letter explains your current points and reminds you of safe driving practices. You can still drive normally.

At 11 points, your license is suspended. The length of suspension depends on how you accumulated the points and whether you have prior suspensions. A first suspension is typically 30 days. If you accumulate 11 points again after your license is restored, a second suspension is usually 60 days, and a third is 12 months. You cannot drive during a suspension, and driving with a suspended license carries serious penalties including fines and possible jail time.

Checking your record after a violation is dismissed or reduced

If you fought a ticket in court and won, or if the charge was reduced to a non-moving violation, the points should not appear on your record. However, there can be delays between a court dismissal and when PennDOT updates its system. Check your online record a few weeks after the court case ends. If the violation still shows, contact PennDOT directly with a copy of the court order showing the dismissal or reduction.

For a formal confirmation that points were removed, request a certified driving record by mail or in person. This document is useful if you need to show an insurance company or employer that a violation no longer counts against you. Keep a copy of the court order with your records in case you need to dispute the violation again later.

Using your record for insurance and employment purposes

Insurance companies check your driving record when you explore for a policy or renew. Points and violations can raise your premiums or cause an insurer to decline coverage. Before shopping for insurance, pull your own record so you know what insurers will see. If you spot an error, contact PennDOT to correct it before you explore.

Some employers, particularly those hiring for positions that involve driving, request a copy of your driving record as part of the background check. You can authorize PennDOT to send a certified record directly to an employer. Ask your employer or the hiring company for the exact form or process they use, then follow their instructions to submit your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a conviction to show up on my record?

Most convictions appear within a few business days of the court entering the conviction into the system. If you were convicted on a Monday, it may show by Wednesday or Thursday. If it does not appear within a week, contact the court that handled your case to confirm the conviction was entered.

Can I remove points from my record before three years?

Pennsylvania does not offer a way to remove points early through traffic school or defensive driving courses. Points stay for three years from conviction. However, if you were convicted in error or the conviction was later dismissed, you can request PennDOT correct your record with proof from the court.

What is the difference between my online record and a certified copy?

Your online record is free and shows your current points and violations. A certified copy is an official document with PennDOT's seal and signature, required for court cases, insurance disputes, or employment. Certified copies cost a small fee and take longer to obtain but carry legal weight.

If I move out of Pennsylvania, do my points follow me?

Yes. If you get a license in another state, that state can see your Pennsylvania driving record through the National Driver Register. Points and violations from Pennsylvania may affect your ability to get a license elsewhere or cause your new state to impose its own penalties.

What should I do if my record shows a violation I did not commit?

Contact PennDOT with details of the error and any supporting documents, such as a court order showing the case was dismissed. You can also request a certified record and use it to dispute the violation with the court or the police department that issued the ticket. PennDOT can correct errors once you provide proof.