Pennsylvania New Resident Guide

Licensing and Residency Requirements

• All new residents with out-of-state non-commercial driver's licenses must obtain a PA Driver's License within 60 days of establishing Pennsylvania residency.
• All new residents are required to make application for Pennsylvania title and registration of their vehicle(s) within 20 days of establishing residency in Pennsylvania.
• Residents of Pennsylvania are required by law to report their change of address within 15 days of moving. Please note: You are required to change your vehicle registration information and your driver's license information.

Violation Point Counts

The amount of points that go against your driver's license for specific types of violations.

5 Point Violations

• Failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights
• Speeding 26 to 30 MPH over limit
• Speeding 31+ MPH over limit

4 Point Violations

• Improper passing on a hill
• Failure to comply with crossing gate or barrier
• Failure to stop at railroad crossings
• Leaving scene of accident involving property damage only
• Speeding 16 to 25 MPH over limit

3 Point Violations

• Violation concerning license
• Failure to stop for a red light
• Failure to stop for a flashing red light
• Failure to yield half of roadway to oncoming vehicle
• Improper passing, overtaken driver to maintain speed; passing driver to pull in at safe distance
• Improper passing on the right
• Improper passing on the left, clear distance ahead
• Improper passing at a railroad crossing or intersection.
• Improper passing at a bridge or tunnel
• Improper passing in a no-passing zone
• Following too closely
• Failure to yield to driver on the right at intersection
• Failure to yield to oncoming driver when making left turn
• Failure to stop for stop sign
• Failure to yield at yield sign
• Failure to yield when entering or crossing roadway between intersections
• Improper turning around - illegal U-turns
• Failure to stop when entering from alley, driveway or building
• Exceeding special speed limit in school zone
• Exceeding special speed limit for trucks on downgrades
• Failure to yield to pedestrian on sidewalk when entering from a driveway or alley
• Failure to yield to blind pedestrians
• Improper backing
• Careless driving
• Speeding 11 to 15 MPH over limit

2 Point Violations

• Violation of restriction on driver's license - wearing glasses, etc
• Failure to obey authorized persons directing traffic
• Obedience to traffic control devices warning of hazardous conditions
• Failure to obey signal indicating approach of train
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Failure to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk
• Speeding 6 to 10 MPH over limit

Driving Record

Three (3) points are removed from a driving record for each 12 consecutive months in which a person is not under suspension or revocation or has not committed any violation which results in the assignment of points or in suspension or revocation under Chapter 15 of the Vehicle Code. Once a driving record is reduced to zero points and remains at zero points for 12 consecutive months, any further accumulation of points will be regarded as the first accumulation of points.

First Accumulation of 6 Points:

• When any driving record reaches 6 or more points for the first time, the driver will receive a written notice to take a special written point examination. The examination will address:
• Knowledge of Safe Driving Practices,
• Knowledge of Departmental Sanctions, and
• Knowledge of Related Safety Issues.
• The driver has 30 days to successfully pass the exam or else the license will be suspended until the exam is passed. If the exam is passed within the 30 day period, 2 points will be removed from the driving record.

Second Accumulation of 6 Points

• When any driving record is reduced below 6 points and then for a second time reaches 6 or more points, the driver will have to attend a Departmental Hearing. The driver will receive a written notice of the specific time and location of the required hearing. At the hearing, a hearing examiner will review the driver's record. After the hearing, the Department may recommend one or more:
• Order a 15 Day License Suspension,
• Order the Driver to Take a Special On-Road Driver's Examination, or
• Take No Action.
• If a person's driving privilege is suspended or a special driver's exam is recommended, 2 points will be removed from the driving record if the driver passes the exam within 30 days or 2 points will be removed once the 15 day suspension has been served. No points are removed from the driving record if the Department does not initiate a sanction.
• Failure to attend this Departmental Hearing will result in a 60 day license suspension.

Third or More Accumulation of 6 Points

• When any driving record is reduced below 6 points and for the third or subsequent time reaches 6 or more points, the driver will have to attend a Departmental hearing. The hearing examiner will review the driving record. The Department will then determine if a 30 day license suspension will be initiated.
• Failure to attend this Departmental hearing will result in the suspension of the driver's license until the driver attends the hearing.

Accumulation of 11 Points or More

• When any driving record reaches 11 or more points, the driver's license will automatically be suspended. The length of suspension depends on how many times the license was suspended in the past. The suspension schedule is as follows:
• First Suspension - 5 days per point
• Second Suspension - 10 days per point
• Third Suspension - 15 days per point
• Subsequent Suspensions - One year

Headlight Laws

You must dim your headlights from high to low beam when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, or when within 300 feet of a vehicle traveling ahead of you

You must use your headlights:

• Between sunset and sunrise.
• Anytime their vehicle wipers are in continuous or intermittent use due to weather conditions
• When traveling through a work zone, no matter what time of day, no matter whether the work zone is active or not
• When they cannot see because of insufficient light on gray days or in heavy traffic when their vehicle may seem to blend in with the surroundings.
• When visibility is reduced to 1,000 feet
• When there are unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, smoke or smog

• You may flash your high beams at oncoming vehicles as a warning of roadway emergencies or other dangerous or hazardous conditions ahead.
• You may flash from low to high beams intermittently to indicate your intention to pass, provided a vehicle is not approaching from the opposite direction within 500 feet.

DUI Penalties

General Impairment

First offense (misdemeanor)

• Minimum 6 month probation;
• Minimum $300 fine;
• Up to 150 hours community service;
• If BAC .16 or more, additional penalties apply.

Second offense (misdemeanor)

• 5 days - 6 months imprisonment;
• $300 - $2,500 fine;
• Up to 150 hours community service;
• 12 months license suspension;
• If BAC .16 or more, additional penalties apply;
• If within 10 years of first offense, ignition interlock required up to 1 year.

Third or subsequent offense (2nd degree misdemeanor)

• 10 days - 2 years imprisonment;
• $500 - $5,000 fine;
• Up to 150 hours community service;
• 12 months license suspension;
• If BAC .16 or more, additional penalties apply;
• If within 10 years of first offense, ignition interlock required up to 1 year.

Other

Child endangerment

• An individual who violates the impaired driving statute with an minor (under age 18) in the vehicle shall be sentenced to additional fines and imprisonment

Alcohol Education and Treatment Mandatory for All Offenders.

Red Light Violation Fines

• Traditional enforcement: $25 fine/3 points.
• Auto enforcement: $100 maximum; not on operating record.

Turn Signal Information

If you are driving less than 35 mph, signal your intention to turn or change lanes at least 100 feet in advance. If you are driving 35 mph or more, you must signal at least 300 feet in advance.

Funeral Procession Right-of-Way Laws

• The law allows vehicles in a funeral procession to proceed past a red light or stop sign if the lead vehicle entered the intersection while the light was still green or if it made a full stop at the stop sign.
• Each vehicle in the procession must have its headlights lit, emergency flashers on, and a flag or other insignia indicating it is part of the procession.
• They must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles.

Bicyclist Passing Distance

A 4-foot minimum passing distance is required.

Using the Shoulder to Pass

You may pass a left-turning vehicle on the right as long as you do not drive off the berm or shoulder of the highway. You may not drive off the roadway when passing a vehicle not making a left turn.

Speed Limits

• 65 mph on certain interstate highways and freeways;
• Likewise, the maximum speed limit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is 55 mph unless a maximum speed limit of 65 mph has been posted.
• 55 mph on other highways;
• 35 mph in urban districts;
• 25 mph in residential districts;350
• 15 mph in a school zone.

Emergency Vehicle Laws

Move Over

• When approaching or passing an emergency response area, you must:
• Pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response area, if possible; or
• If passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible, illegal or unsafe, pass the emergency response area at a careful and prudent reduced speed reasonable for safely passing the emergency response area.
• This law applies to areas where emergency service responders are rendering emergency assistance to individuals, and areas where an officer is conducting a traffic stop.

Following

• Do not follow a fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet, or stop within 500 feet of where the fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.

Collision Procedures

• Stop at the scene or as close as possible without obstructing traffic more than necessary, and remain at the scene until all requirements are fulfilled.
• If the crash resulted in injury or death, or if any vehicle involved requires towing, you must report the accident immediately to the nearest police department. If the driver is unable to make the report, any other occupant of the vehicle who is able to must do so.
• You must provide the following information to any other person involved in the accident, or any police officer at the scene of the crash:
• Driver's name and address;
• Vehicle registration number;
• Show driver's license upon request;
• Show financial responsibility information.
• Provide assistance to any injured person, including transporting them or making arrangements for transportation to a hospital or doctor, if necessary or requested.
• If you have collided with a vehicle or other property that is unattended, locate and notify the operator or owner of the driver's name and address, financial responsibility information, and the vehicle registration number. If you are unable to do so, leave a written notice providing this information, and notify the nearest police department.
• If none of the other people involved in the accident are in a condition to receive the information you are required to give them, and no police officer is present, you must report the crash to the nearest police department as soon as you have provided assistance to any injured person.
• If the driver of a vehicle is physically unable to provide the required information, render assistance, or report the accident if required, any other occupants of the vehicle must perform these duties.
• If there has been no personal injury or death, and the vehicle is capable of being safely driven, you must move the vehicle off the roadway.
• If a police officer does not investigate an accident that is required to be reported immediately to the police department, you must file a written accident report within five days. If the driver is physically incapable of making this report, and the driver is not the owner, then the owner must make the report.