Pennsylvania traffic tickets
Points, traffic school, deadlines and what a ticket does to your insurance in Pennsylvania.
Speeding ticketAt least $162estimate with court costs
License at risk6 ptson your record
Driver Improvement SchoolYesavailable, with limits
Insurance after 1 ticket+21%on $2,376 a year
What will my ticket really cost? Check my points
What kind of ticket did you get?
- Speeding
- School zone
- Work zone
- Red light
- Stop sign
- Texting
- No insurance
- Expired registration
- Seat belt
- School bus
- Failure to yield
- Parking
Which court is on your ticket?
One statewide schedule sets most fines. Pick the court named on your ticket.
Every other Pennsylvania county court
Phone, pay-online link and traffic school steps for 3 more courts. Tap a county to open it.
Bucks County(215) 348-6000Pays online
Bucks County Magisterial District Courts. Fines follow the Pennsylvania statewide schedule.
- Address
- 100 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Doylestown, PA 18901
- Phone
- (215) 348-6000
Delaware County(610) 565-6990Pays online
Delaware County Magisterial District Courts. Fines follow the Pennsylvania statewide schedule.
- Address
- 2 West Baltimore Avenue, Suite 203, Media, PA 19063
- Phone
- (610) 565-6990
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Montgomery County(610) 278-3000Pays online
Montgomery County Magisterial District Courts. Fines follow the Pennsylvania statewide schedule.
- Address
- One Montgomery Plaza, P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311
- Phone
- (610) 278-3000
- Hours
- 8:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
What are your options with a Pennsylvania ticket?
Paying is the fastest route, and it usually puts the ticket on your record. Here is every route Pennsylvania offers, and what each one changes.
What does the Pennsylvania state schedule charge for speeding?
The fines in the Vehicle Code are the fine alone.[22][23][24][25][9]
Every fine on the Pennsylvania schedule (15)
| Ticket | State fine | With court costs |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 1 to 10 mph over (§3362)$35 fine, plus $2 for each mph beyond 5 over. | $35–$45[4] | At least $162 |
| Speeding, 11–15 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 11 to 15 mph over (§3362)$35 plus $2 for each mph beyond 5 over. | $47–$55[4] | At least $174 |
| Speeding, 16–20 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 16 to 20 mph over (§3362)$35 plus $2 for each mph beyond 5 over. | $57–$65[4] | At least $184 |
| Speeding, 21–25 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 21 to 25 mph over (§3362)$35 plus $2 for each mph beyond 5 over. | $67–$75[4] | At least $194 |
| Speeding, 26+ mph overPrinted as: Speeding 26 or more mph over (§3362)$35 plus $2 for each mph beyond 5 over, so $77 at 26 over and $85 at 30 over. | At least $77[4] | At least $204 |
| Speeding in an active school zone$35 plus $2 for each mph beyond 5 over. | Up to $500[5] | Up to $500 fine + $126.50 or more |
| Speeding in an active work zone with workers presentDouble the usual speeding fine when the work zone is posted. | On your notice[6][4] | Plus court costs |
| Failure to stop for a red lightNo penalty is set in §3112, so the $25 general summary-offense fine applies. | $25[7] | At least $152 |
| Failure to stop at a stop signGeneral $25 summary-offense fine. | $25[7] | At least $152 |
| Failure to yieldGeneral $25 summary-offense fine. | $25[7] | At least $152 |
| Using a hand-held phone or texting while drivingWarnings ended June 5, 2026. | $50[8][18] | At least $177 |
| Driving without required insuranceAlso a 3-month suspension of the vehicle registration and the owner's license. | $300[10] | At least $427 |
| Driving an unregistered vehicle$75 or double the registration fee, whichever is greater. | At least $75[11] | At least $202 |
| Seat belt violation, driver or front seatFor adult front-seat riders it can only be charged along with another violation. | $10[12] | At least $137 |
| Passing a stopped school busPlus a $35 surcharge, 5 points and a 60-day suspension. | $250[9][2] | At least $377 |
With court costs is an estimate. At least $126.50 in state costs on a guilty plea. More for faster speeding, a hearing, or a ticket in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. The surcharge list skips speeding 5 mph or less over, so that ticket can cost $45 less.[22][23][24][25] Your notice shows the exact total.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania?
- Speeding, 1–10 mph over2 pts[2]
- Speeding, 11–15 mph over3 pts[2]
- Speeding, 16–25 mph over4 pts[2]
- Speeding, 26+ mph over5 pts[2]
- Speeding in a school zone3 pts[2]
- Running a red light3 pts[2]
- Running a stop sign3 pts[2]
- Failure to yield3 pts[2]
All 16 point values
How points work in Pennsylvania
PennDOT adds points when you are convicted of a moving violation. Action starts at 6 points: a written point exam or Driver Improvement School the first time, and a hearing plus school after that. 11 or more points brings an automatic suspension. Speeding 31 mph or more over also brings a hearing. 3 points come off for every 12 months in a row with no violation that adds points, and after any suspension your record restarts at 5 points.[2]
Commercial driver? Points and disqualifications work differently. How tickets affect a CDL →
When can you lose your license?
Full wording of each rule
- 6 points: First time at 6 or more points: pass a special written point exam (removes 2 points) or finish Driver Improvement School (removes 4 points) within 30 days, or the license is suspended until you do. Second time: a departmental hearing plus Driver Improvement School, with a possible suspension of up to 15 days. Third and later times: hearing plus school, with a possible suspension of up to 30 days.
- 11 points: Automatic suspension: 5 days per point for a first suspension, 10 days per point for a second, 15 days per point for a third, and 1 year for any later suspension.
- Speeding 31 mph or more over the limit: departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School, with a possible special driving exam or a suspension of up to 15 days. No points come off for the school.
- Passing a stopped school bus: 60-day suspension plus 5 points. Speeding 11 mph or more over in an active work zone: 15-day suspension.
Drivers under 21
Drivers under 18 are suspended for 90 days on reaching 6 or more points or on any conviction for driving 26 mph or more over the limit. Later occurrences bring 120 days. This comes on top of the regular point system.[2]
Can Driver Improvement School keep a ticket off your record in Pennsylvania?
It can help. It removes points, not the ticket. On a first accumulation of 6 points, finishing the school takes 4 points off (the written point exam takes 2 off).[2]
Is it worth it for your ticket? Get a yes or no →
Who qualifies, CDL drivers and cost
It removes points, not the ticket. On a first accumulation of 6 points, finishing the school takes 4 points off (the written point exam takes 2 off). On later accumulations it is required along with a hearing, and 2 points come off after you pass a required driving exam or serve a suspension.[2]
Who can use it: Only drivers PennDOT notifies after reaching 6 or more points, or after a conviction for 31 mph or more over the limit. You cannot sign up on your own to clear a pending ticket.[2]
Do school and work zones cost more?
School zones
No doubling. Speeding in a school zone (15 mph when the zone is active) carries the regular $35 fine plus $2 for each mph beyond 5 over, but the fine can go up to $500 if you are more than 11 mph over. It adds 3 points.[5][2]
Work zones
Doubled. Fines for speeding, signals, signs, passing, following, careless or reckless driving and DUI double in an active work zone with workers present, when the zone is posted. Speeding 11 mph or more over in an active work zone also brings a 15-day suspension. Hurting or killing a worker adds fines of up to $10,000 and a suspension of 6 months to 1 year.[6][2]
When is your ticket due?
- 10daysPay or respondfrom the ticket date[14][16][13]
Details
Plead guilty or not guilty after getting a citation. If you miss it: If you don't respond, the court can issue a bench warrant and ask PennDOT to suspend your license until you respond and pay.
- 30daysLast day to appealfrom conviction[17][15]
Details
Appeal a summary conviction to the Court of Common Pleas. If you miss it: After 30 days the conviction is final unless the court allows a late appeal.
- 30daysPass the point exam or finish Driver Improvement School after a 6-point noticefrom the notice date[2]
Details
Pass the point exam or finish Driver Improvement School after a 6-point notice. If you miss it: License suspended until you pass the exam or finish the school.
- 30daysAppeal a PennDOT suspension to the county Court of Common Pleasfrom the notice date[2]
- Date on noticeLicense suspended if ignoredset by the court[13][19]
Details
Respond before the court reports you to PennDOT for suspension. If you miss it: PennDOT suspends your license with no end date until the court reports that you responded, paid in full or set up a payment plan.
What happens if you don't respond
If you don't respond to a citation, the court can issue a bench warrant. It can also tell PennDOT to suspend your license after warning you in writing. That suspension has no end date. It lasts until the court reports that you answered the citation, paid everything or agreed to a payment plan or community service, and you may owe a restoration fee. Missing payments on a plan can also lead to a warrant after a 10-day notice.[13][16][19]
Work out your exact dates → · Already missed it?
Will an out-of-state ticket follow you home?
- Shares convictions with other states (Driver License Compact)Yes[1][20]
- Can suspend you over unpaid out-of-state tickets (Nonresident Violator Compact)Yes[1]
PennDOT does not add points for a point-type ticket from another compact state, and minor offenses like speeding or running a red light don't appear on a Pennsylvania record unless you hold a CDL. Serious offenses are treated as if they happened in Pennsylvania, including DUI (a second or later offense brings a 1-year suspension), vehicular homicide and leaving an injury crash. Other serious traffic offenses can bring a suspension of at least 1 year.[20]
How out-of-state tickets work →
How much will it raise your insurance in Pennsylvania?
One speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium by about 21% on average in Pennsylvania[1], from a clean-record average of $2,376 a year.[1] If that increase stays for three years, that's about $1,497 on top of the fine.
Averages from ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026, not a quote. Insurers differ, and many look back three to five years.
Where are the official pages?
What else do people ask?
How do points work in Pennsylvania?
PennDOT adds points when you are convicted of a moving violation. Action starts at 6 points: a written point exam or Driver Improvement School the first time, and a hearing plus school after that. 11 or more points brings an automatic suspension. Speeding 31 mph or more over also brings a hearing. 3 points come off for every 12 months in a row with no violation that adds points, and after any suspension your record restarts at 5 points.
How many points before your license is at risk in Pennsylvania?
6 points on your record: First time at 6 or more points: pass a special written point exam (removes 2 points) or finish Driver Improvement School (removes 4 points) within 30 days, or the license is suspended until you do. Second time: a departmental hearing plus Driver Improvement School, with a possible suspension of up to 15 days. Third and later times: hearing plus school, with a possible suspension of up to 30 days.
Can traffic school keep a ticket off my record in Pennsylvania?
Driver Improvement School: It removes points, not the ticket. On a first accumulation of 6 points, finishing the school takes 4 points off (the written point exam takes 2 off). On later accumulations it is required along with a hearing, and 2 points come off after you pass a required driving exam or serve a suspension.
How long do I have to pay or respond to a ticket in Pennsylvania?
10 days from the citation. If you miss it: If you don't respond, the court can issue a bench warrant and ask PennDOT to suspend your license until you respond and pay.
Will an out-of-state ticket follow me home to Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is a member of the Driver License Compact, so convictions in other member states are reported to Pennsylvania. PennDOT does not add points for a point-type ticket from another compact state, and minor offenses like speeding or running a red light don't appear on a Pennsylvania record unless you hold a CDL. Serious offenses are treated as if they happened in Pennsylvania, including DUI (a second or later offense brings a 1-year suspension), vehicular homicide and leaving an injury crash. Other serious traffic offenses can bring a suspension of at least 1 year.
How much does a speeding ticket raise insurance in Pennsylvania?
About 21% on average for full coverage, according to ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026. Your insurer's rate can differ a lot from the average.
Sources
Pennsylvania law and DMV sources (25)
- AAMVA DLC/NRVC Member Joinder Dates (rev. April 2026), AAMVA.
- The Pennsylvania Point System (fact sheet, March 2024), PennDOT.
- Chapter 4: Pennsylvania's Point System (online driver's manual), PennDOT.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §3362 Maximum speed limits, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §3365 Special speed limitations (school zones), Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §3326 Duty of driver in construction and maintenance areas or on highway safety corridors, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §6502 Summary offenses (general penalty), Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §3316 Prohibiting use of interactive mobile devices, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §3345 Meeting or overtaking school bus, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §1786 Required financial responsibility, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §1301 Registration and certificate of title required, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §4581 Restraint systems, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §1533 Suspension of operating privilege for failure to respond to citation, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Pa.R.Crim.P. 407 Pleas in response to citation, Pennsylvania Code (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania).
- Pa.R.Crim.P. 408 Not guilty pleas, notice of trial, Pennsylvania Code (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania).
- Pa.R.Crim.P. 430 Issuance of warrant, Pennsylvania Code (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania).
- Pa.R.Crim.P. 460 Notice of appeal (summary cases), Pennsylvania Code (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania).
- Pennsylvania State Police: Statewide enforcement initiative to uphold Paul Miller's Law, Pennsylvania State Police.
- Driving Privilege Sanctions and Restoration Requirements Letter (fact sheet, April 2023), PennDOT.
- Driver License Compact FAQs, PennDOT.
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal (PAePay: pay traffic ticket or court costs), Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
- 204 Pa. Code §§29.402 and 29.403: costs charged by magisterial district judges in calendar year 2026, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §6506 Surcharge, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 75 Pa.C.S. §3121 EMS costs, Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- 42 Pa.C.S. §3733 Deposits into account (Judicial Computer System fee), Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Insurance sources (4)
- State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).