A Pennsylvania traffic citation can affect more than the listed fine. Paying usually records a guilty plea, and the resulting points, license action, CDL reporting, insurance consequences, or employment policy may be more important than the court cost. The correct response depends on the charged section, facts, driving record, license class, and deadline. A traffic-defense review should calculate those consequences before a plea or hearing decision is made.
Is this your situation?
This hub should route readers by consequence and charge rather than bury them in the complete PennDOT point manual. It should distinguish ordinary moving violations, device-based speeding, careless driving, suspension cases, CDL concerns, and post-judgment appeals.
- You received a moving violation for speeding, careless driving, a signal or lane offense, or another alleged Vehicle Code violation.
- The citation could add points or contribute to a PennDOT suspension, examination, or hearing.
- You hold a CDL or drive for work and must assess reporting and employment consequences.
- Several citations arose from one stop, crash, or license-status issue.
- You were found guilty at a summary hearing and need to determine whether a de novo appeal remains available.
Immediate risks
Traffic cases move quickly and are easy to underestimate. A driver should preserve evidence, confirm the response deadline, disclose CDL or employment status, and avoid treating payment or an amended citation as consequence-free.
- Paying without review can create a conviction and waive the opportunity for a hearing.
- Court deadlines and PennDOT deadlines are separate and can run from different notices.
- Points and license consequences depend on the adjudicated offense, not simply the officer's initial description.
- CDL and employer consequences may apply even when the incident occurred in a personal vehicle.
- Crash statements, photographs, dash-camera footage, roadway evidence, and witness information should be preserved.
What happens next?
The core path is citation, response, preparation, hearing, and any permitted review. PennDOT action can follow later through a separate notice, so the site should visually separate court procedure from administrative licensing consequences.
- 1
Identify the charge and consequences
Counsel reviews the cited statute, facts, current driving record, license type, possible points, and any related PennDOT or employment issue.
- 2
Choose and submit the response
The citation explains how to plead guilty or not guilty. A contested response must comply with the deadline, collateral, and court instructions.
- 3
Prepare the evidence
Preparation may involve officer notes, device records, video, photographs, crash evidence, vehicle records, witnesses, signage, and the PennDOT record.
- 4
Summary hearing
The Commonwealth presents the alleged violation, and the defense may cross-examine and offer relevant admissible evidence before the magisterial district judge.
- 5
Judgment, appeal, and PennDOT action
After judgment, a de novo appeal may be available within the applicable deadline. PennDOT may later issue a separate notice that requires its own response.
How counsel helps
Counsel should evaluate both proof and impact. The most useful advice compares the evidence, point schedule, license class, record, employment requirements, and appeal posture before a plea or negotiation is accepted.
- Calculate points, license, CDL, insurance, and employment implications using the exact current charge and record.
- Identify the evidence and legal foundation required for the particular traffic offense.
- Preserve and obtain device records, video, crash evidence, roadway information, notices, and driving-history material.
- Evaluate dismissal, amendment, hearing, and appeal options without assuming that a negotiated offense is consequence-free.
- Track court and PennDOT processes separately through judgment, appeal, and any administrative action.
Pennsylvania License Points: Schedule and Suspension Thresholds
Pennsylvania assigns points to a driver's record for convictions of many moving violations under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1535. Points themselves are not a fine; they are how PennDOT tracks repeated violations, and corrective action begins once a record reaches six points.
Common violations and their points
| Violation (Vehicle Code section) | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 6–10 mph over the limit (§ 3362) | 2 | |
| Speeding 11–15 mph over the limit (§ 3362) | 3 | |
| Speeding 16–25 mph over the limit (§ 3362) | 4 | |
| Speeding 26–30 mph over the limit (§ 3362) | 5 | |
| Speeding 31+ mph over the limit (§ 3362) | 5 | Departmental hearing required; sanctions under § 1538(d) |
| Driving too fast for conditions (§ 3361) | 2 | |
| Careless driving (§ 3714(a)) | 3 | |
| Running a red light (§ 3112(a)(3)) | 3 | |
| Failure to stop at a stop sign or yield sign (§ 3323(b)–(c)) | 3 | |
| Following too closely (§ 3310) | 3 | |
| Improper passing (§§ 3303–3305, 3306(a)(2)–(3), 3307) | 3 | |
| Improper passing on the left side where prohibited (§ 3306(a)(1)) | 4 | |
| Failure to yield turning left (§ 3322) | 3 | |
| Improper U-turn (§ 3332) | 3 | |
| Improper backing (§ 3702) | 3 | |
| Failure to obey police or authorized person directing traffic (§ 3102) | 2 | |
| Violation of a license restriction (§ 1512) | 2 | |
| Violation concerning license (§ 1571) | 3 | |
| Speeding in a school zone (§ 3365(b)) | 3 | 60-day suspension on a second or later offense |
| Failure to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights (§ 3345(a)) | 5 | Plus a 60-day suspension |
| Driving around or through a railroad crossing gate or barrier (§ 3341(b)) | 4 | Plus a 30-day suspension |
| Failure to stop at a railroad crossing (§ 3342(b) or (e)) | 4 | |
| Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage (§ 3745) | 4 | |
| Failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk (§ 3542(a)) | 2 | |
| Duties in an emergency-response area (§ 3327) | 2 |
The full statutory schedule contains additional entries, special rules for points assigned after multiple convictions from a single incident, and separate suspension rules for some offenses. Read the current text of § 1535 for the complete list.
What happens at 6, 11, and more points
| Trigger | What the statute provides |
|---|---|
| First time a record reaches 6 or more points | PennDOT requires the driver to choose a driver-improvement school or special examination. Completion removes four points for the school or two for the examination; failure to comply leads to suspension until the requirement is completed (§ 1538(a)). |
| Second accumulation of 6 or more points | PennDOT requires a departmental hearing and driver-improvement school. The examiner may also recommend an examination and/or a suspension of up to 15 days (§ 1538(b)). |
| Third or later accumulation of 6 or more points | PennDOT requires a departmental hearing and driver-improvement school. The examiner may also recommend an examination and/or a suspension of up to 30 days (§ 1538(b)). |
| Conviction of speeding 31+ mph over the limit | PennDOT requires a departmental hearing and driver-improvement school regardless of the point total. The examiner may recommend an examination and/or a suspension of up to 15 days, and the department must effect at least one of those additional sanctions (§ 1538(d)). |
| Record reaches 11 or more 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 one year for any later suspension (§ 1539). |
| Driver under 18 — 6+ points or a single conviction of 26+ mph over the limit | Suspension of 90 days for a first occurrence and 120 days for each later one (§ 1538(e)). |
| Point removal | Three points are removed for each 12 consecutive months in which the driver is not under suspension or revocation and commits no violation that results in points, suspension, or revocation. Removal is governed by the violation date. After a record remains at zero for 12 consecutive months, a later accumulation is treated as an initial accumulation (§ 1537). |
Add up your points
Select the violations on your record to estimate a point total. This helper is an educational estimate based on the schedule above; it is not your PennDOT record and not legal advice. Your certified driving record from PennDOT controls.
A points question is rarely only a points question. Whether to plead, fight, or negotiate a citation depends on the existing record, the license type, employment consequences, and the separate PennDOT process. The driving-under-suspension guide covers what happens when a suspension has already been imposed.
What clients say
Client statements are individual examples. They do not promise or predict a similar result in another matter.
My first use of an attorney for a traffic court issue. I originally retained Mr. Madsen's representation completely through the phone and email - a must with my hectic travel schedule. James was very knowledgeable on the law and process and quickly executed a defense strategy that resulted in a not-guilty. I definitely recommend him to anyone needing honest and professional representation at very reasonable rates.
Detailed Lehigh Valley Guidance
The overview above addresses immediate decisions. The sections below provide additional local and topic-specific detail.
How to Choose the Right Traffic Violation Lawyer in Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton
Our Lehigh Valley Traffic Citation Lawyers Can Help!
Our Traffic Violation Lawyers are located in Easton, Pennsylvania and assist drivers in Traffic Court in Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton.
CDL and non-CDL drivers rely on us, from traffic violations to driving under suspension. The firm built and released an ENRADD/VASCAR calculator for speeding ticket defense and have represented hundreds of drivers in Allentown, Easton & Bethlehem.
The loss of driving privileges from a traffic violation can be life changing. Loss of a Driver's License can affect your career, your personal life, and your overall feeling of liberty. To protect against a license suspension, do what others have done: rely on the trusted advice of an experienced Allentown Traffic Violation Attorney. Whether you're contesting a simple speeding ticket, a DUI or facing vehicular homicide charges, our experienced traffic lawyers are here to assist you.
If not handled properly, traffic violations & tickets can result in the loss of driving privileges, serious consequences for your career and, in some cases, even jail time. Trust the defense of your traffic violations to a seasoned traffic ticket lawyer who understands just how important your license is to you. Don't let PennDOT take your license. Call our Lehigh Valley Traffic Defense Lawyers now.
Our Traffic & License Defense Services
Traffic Ticket Defense
We handle all traffic ticket matters, including:
Red-light Tickets - 3112(a)(3)(i)
Stop Sign Tickets -3323(b)
Speeding Tickets - 3362(c)(1)(i)
Careless Driving - 3714(a)
Driving Under Suspension - 1543(a)
Driving Under Suspension - DUI Related - 1543(b)
Driving Under the Influence - 1547/3802
Traffic Ticket Appeals
ENRADD/VASCAR Calculator
VASCAR & ENRADD Speeding Tickets
How to Beat a Speeding Ticket with Math!
Our Easton, Pennsylvania, Speeding Ticket Defense Lawyers are members of a firm that built and released an ENRADD/VASCAR calculator for speeding ticket defense. We can calculate the true speed your vehicle was traveling based upon plausible equipment and user error in these speed detection devices in an instant.
PennDOT & License Suspension Appeals
Protect your Privilege to Drive!
We appeal license suspensions too. If a person’s driving privilege is to be suspended in Pennsylvania, a written notice will be mailed to the driver listing the date when the suspension will begin. The driver may appeal the suspension to the Court of Common Pleas. The appeal of the license suspension must be made within 30 days after the mailing date of the notice.
Summary Appeals
Got a Ticket? Let our Traffic Lawyers Fix It!
Our attorneys appeal traffic violations tickets. If you are found guilty of a traffic violation or traffic ticket at the District Court, you have 30 days to appeal your case to the Court of Common Pleas. Even if you plead guilty to the summary offense before consulting a traffic violation attorney, you still have a right to appeal your case to the Court of Common Pleas.
How can an Experienced Traffic Violation Attorney in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Help You?
Our Allentown Traffic Violation Lawyers know how important it is to be able to maintain your Driver's License and use your vehicle. We defend drivers facing charges related to all types of moving violations, including leaving the scene of an accident, driving while under suspension and DUIs. Our Allentown Traffic Violation Lawyers have experience in taking action to help you protect your license.
The Pennsylvania point system, promulgated by PennDOT, makes it relatively easy to lose your driver’s license in the Lehigh Valley. Points can lead to higher insurance costs. Our driver Allentown Traffic Violation Lawyers are here to help you understand the consequences of traffic violations, and vigorously fight for your driver license. We are traffic ticket defense attorneys who handle traffic violations in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg and other outlying areas.
Lehigh & Northampton County Traffic Ticket FAQs
Commonly asked questions by drivers in Easton, Allentown & Bethlehem who have received Traffic & Speeding Tickets
What should I do if I've received a traffic ticket in Pennsylvania?
How does a Pennsylvania traffic-ticket appeal work?
Is a PennDOT appeal the same as a ticket appeal?
What are the consequences of being found guilty of this ticket?
Can I go to jail for a traffic ticket?
Some traffic convictions can result in incarceration, but not every driving-under-suspension citation does. A first-offense § 1543(a) ordinarily carries a fine and no mandatory jail. Later § 1543(a) convictions and DUI-related § 1543(b) convictions can carry incarceration, with the penalty depending on the subsection, prior history, suspension basis, and offense date. The citation and PennDOT restoration record should be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
Are you looking for a lawyer to help with a Traffic Violation?
Our Traffic Violation Attorneys are here to help you in Easton, Allentown & Bethlehem
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I pay the ticket?
Payment generally constitutes a guilty plea and results in a conviction for the cited offense. Before paying, review possible points, license, CDL, insurance, employment, and immigration consequences.
Do I need counsel for every traffic ticket?
Not necessarily. The value of counsel depends on the charge, evidence, record, license class, potential suspension, employment risk, and whether a hearing or appeal is worthwhile.
Will a reduced offense always avoid points?
No. Some amended offenses still carry points or other consequences, and a non-point disposition may still affect insurance, CDL reporting, employment, or a related case. Confirm the exact proposed section.
Are CDL cases different?
They can be. Federal and state reporting and disqualification rules may apply, sometimes even when the driver was operating a personal vehicle. A CDL holder should disclose the license class before resolving a citation.
How long do I have to appeal a summary conviction?
A de novo appeal is generally filed within 30 days after the summary judgment. The docket date, county filing requirements, and any PennDOT notice should be checked immediately rather than relying on a general summary.
How many points before a license suspension in Pennsylvania?
Under the current statutes, corrective action starts when a record first reaches six points, and an accumulation of 11 or more points requires PennDOT to suspend the operating privilege, with the length based on 75 Pa.C.S. § 1539. Drivers under 18 face suspension at six points or after a single conviction of driving 26 mph or more over the limit. The tables above set out the details, and the current statute controls.
How long do points stay on a Pennsylvania driving record?
Three points are removed for every 12 consecutive months in which the driver has no violation, suspension, or revocation, under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1537. Once a record has been reduced to zero and stays at zero for 12 consecutive months, a later accumulation is treated as a first accumulation.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania?
It depends on the amount over the limit: 2 points for 6–10 mph over, 3 points for 11–15, 4 points for 16–25, and 5 points for 26 mph or more over the limit under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1535. A conviction of driving 31 mph or more over the limit also requires a departmental hearing with at least one sanction under § 1538(d), and some speeds and locations carry separate suspensions.
Important: This page provides general information, not legal advice. Deadlines, procedures, eligibility, and potential outcomes depend on the specific facts and current law. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page.