Pennsylvania Traffic Violation Records

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is the state agency responsible for maintaining traffic violation records. However, traffic violation records relating to persons charged with criminal offenses are often maintained by the courts where such cases were filed.

Speeding violation is one of the most common entries in traffic violation records in the United States. However, in Pennsylvania, speeding violations are not as frequent as experienced in many other states. In the Keystone State, only about 7.26% of drivers have a prior speeding violation on their driving record. This figure is below the national average of 10.54% and about half of the figures recorded for the top three states - Ohio, Iowa, and North Dakota.

Other than potential penalties for traffic violators, traffic violations can negatively impact a person's driving record, leading to higher insurance rates and potential license suspensions.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Pennsylvania?

Traffic violation records are generally considered public information in Pennsylvania. Hence, members of the public may obtain these records either from the PennDOT or the magisterial district court. While the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation maintains non-criminal traffic violation records, criminal traffic records, such as felonies are typically maintained at the magisterial district court that handled such cases.

Note that pursuant to the DPPA (Driver's Privacy Protection Act) and other laws in the state, exemptions from public disclosures are granted to personal information contained within traffic violation records and sealed records are not accessible to the public.

How to Look Up Traffic Tickets in Pennsylvania?

You may look up a traffic ticket in Pennsylvania using the state approved online system - PAePay. On the system, select "citation number" in the "search by" field section. After, provide other necessary information such as the citation number, offense start date, offense end date, court type, and county. Click on the search button to review information on the traffic ticket.

In addition, the public nature of traffic violation records in Pennsylvania ensures that people seeking such records may find them on reliable third-party websites like publicrecords.us

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

The PAePay system on the Pennsylvania judicial system website allows the public to pay traffic tickets online. To pay, visit the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal, click "traffic ticket or court costs" under the "pay online" menu. Follow the prompts to complete the payment using your credit or debit card. Alternatively, you may visit the magisterial district court or Philadelphia municipal court traffic division where the ticket was issued and pay the fine directly at the court's payment office. Depending on the court policies, you may be able to pay via cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

You may obtain your driver record from PennDOT online or by mail. To make a request online visit the Individual Driver Records page of the PennDOT website and provide your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Note that you will be required to pay a $14 fee. Upon completing payment, you may download your driving record as a PDF file.

If you prefer to use the mail option, send a completed DL-503 form along with the appropriate fee ($14 for full history record and $44 for certified driver record) to:

Note that PennDOT issues 3- and 10-year driver records, the 10-year driver record is only issued for employment purposes only. A Pennsylvania driver record contains license status, moving violations, traffic tickets, accidents, and any departmental actions taken against the driver's license. Note that Pennsylvania driving records do not reflect the points on a driver's license.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Pennsylvania?

Traffic violations in Pennsylvania are commonly categorized into two main types: moving violations and nonmoving violations. A moving violation occurs when a driver violates traffic laws while the vehicle is in motion. Examples of moving violations include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Doing a rolling stop or failing to stop properly at a light or sign
• Drunk driving or DUI
• Running a stop sign or red light

Since drivers generally have a higher chance of hurting themselves and others when their vehicles are in motion, moving violations are punished more severely than nonmoving violations. Hence, penalties for moving violations include fines (ranging from $25 to several hundred dollars), points added to offenders' driving records, license suspension for excessive points or serious offenses like reckless driving, possible jail time for serious offenses like DUI.

Nonmoving violations occur when a vehicle is not in motion. Examples of nonmoving violations include

• Parking violations
• Illegal window tint
• Broken or missing equipment
• Expired vehicle registration
• Failure to display inspection sticker
• Failure to maintain insurance

Parking tickets are the most common penalties for nonmoving violations. While nonmoving violations are generally considered less severe, they may still result in fines and, if unresolved, may lead to more significant penalties over time. In some cases, failure to pay fines may result in the suspension of vehicle registration.

How Long Does DUI Stay on Your Record in Pennsylvania?

A DUI conviction in Pennsylvania stays on your record for life unless it is expunged or given limited access relief. The state considers drunk driving a serious crime and consequently adopts strict penalties and enforcement measures. With a total score of 39.31 out of 100, Pennsylvania ranks as one of the top 10 states with the lowest rates of drunk-driving related deaths. The state records about 330 DUI arrests per 100,000 drivers and 3.7 DUI road fatalities per 100,000 drivers.

In order to curb DUI arrests and fatalities, the penalties prescribed under law for DUI offenders include DUI penalties in Pennsylvania include fines ranging from $300 to $10,000, license suspension, jail time (ranging from 6 months of probation to 5 years), and mandatory participation in alcohol highway safety school and treatment programs. Depending on the circumstances in the case, extended license suspensions and mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices may also be required.

Note that regardless of the severity or classification of the offense, anyone convicted of a DUI in Pennsylvania is required to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Pennsylvania?

Per speed limitations stated in the Pennsylvania Rules of the Road, unless otherwise posted, or if a lower speed is required, speed limits in the state are:

• 25 mph for residential districts
• 35 mph for urban districts
• 65 or 70 mph on freeways where such limits are posted
• 55 mph on other roads and locations

However, the state adopts fines and demerit points to penalize speed limit violations. For most speeding offenses, the base fine is $35, with an added $2 for each mile per hour over the limit beyond the initial five miles per hour. In areas where the maximum speed limit is 65 miles per hour or higher, the base fine increases to $42.50, with the same additional $2 per mile per hour over the limit beyond the first five miles per hour. Note that exceeding a school zone speed limit by more than 11 miles per hour may result in fines up to $500.

In addition, points are added to a driver's record based on the severity of the speeding violation:

• 2 points: For basic speed law violations and exceeding the speed limit by up to 10 miles per hour.
• 3 points: For speeding in a school zone or exceeding the speed limit by 11 to 15 miles per hour.
• 4 points: For exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 25 miles per hour.
• 5 points: For exceeding the speed limit by 26 miles per hour or more.

Accumulating too many points can lead to mandatory driver improvement courses and potential license suspension.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Pennsylvania?

A speeding ticket stays on your driver record in Pennsylvania for one year.

How to Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

If you have been issued a traffic ticket in Pennsylvania, you may fight it in the following ways:

• Review the Citation Thoroughly: Begin by examining the ticket for any inaccuracies in your personal information, vehicle details, or the nature of the alleged violation. Errors on the citation may serve as grounds for dismissal.
• Plead Not Guilty Promptly: Pennsylvania law requires you to submit a not guilty plea within 10 days of receiving the ticket. This can typically be done in person, though some jurisdictions may allow submissions online, by mail, or by phone.
• Gather Supporting Evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as photographs, witness statements, or maintenance records. This documentation may be used in disputing the officer's account or demonstrating mitigating circumstances.
• Question the Evidence Presented by the Officer: Examine the accuracy of the officer's observations and the calibration of any speed detection equipment. Request detailed records and challenge any inconsistencies or errors in the evidence presented.
• Argue That Circumstances Justified Your Driving: Explain any urgent or unavoidable situations that necessitated your driving behavior, such as medical emergencies or hazardous road conditions.

However, you should consider hiring an experienced traffic attorney if you are involved in multiple violations, unfamiliar with Pennsylvania traffic laws, or have been charged with a felony like homicide-by-vehicle.

How to Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

Out-of-state traffic violations may be treated as if they occurred in Pennsylvania. This is due to the provisions of the Driver's License Compact (DLC) and the Nonresident Violator Compact (NVC). The Driver License Compact is an agreement among U.S. states to exchange information about traffic violations committed by non-residents.

Hence, if you commit a traffic offense in another DLC member state, Pennsylvania will be notified, and the offense may be recorded on your driving record. Also, pursuant to the NVC, if you fail to address or pay a traffic ticket received in another NVC member state, your driving privileges in your home state may be impacted.

You may fight an out-of-state ticket by taking the following steps:

• Plead Not Guilty: Immediately mail a plea of not guilty to the court handling your ticket. This must be done within the timeframe specified on the citation.
• Request a Hearing: You may need to appear personally at the court hearing, either with or without an attorney. If you cannot attend in person, some courts may allow you to contest the ticket by affidavit.
• Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as photographs, witness statements, or any other relevant documentation.
• Consult an Attorney: Consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney who is experienced in Pennsylvania traffic laws. They can help you navigate the legal process and present your case effectively.

How Does Pennsylvania Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

Although traffic laws are common to all states in the United States, the specifics vary from one jurisdiction to another. Drivers who are not aware of these variations in traffic laws may be subject to fines, points on their driver records, and criminal charges. Some unique Pennsylvania laws include:

• Move Over Law: Drivers must slow down by at least 20 mph below the speed limit and merge into another lane when passing an emergency response area with flashing lights, flares, or warning signs.
• Minimum Speed Limits: PA enforces minimum speed limits to prevent disruptions in traffic flow. Drivers unable to maintain a reasonable speed must signal and pull over to the shoulder when safe.
• Railroad Crossings: Motorists must stop between 15 and 50 feet from railroad tracks and only proceed after ensuring the tracks are clear of oncoming trains.
• Red Light: Drivers are allowed to cautiously proceed through a red light if they suspect it is malfunctioning. They must first come to a complete stop, assess the traffic conditions, and only move forward if it is safe to do so.