Pennsylvania traffic tickets.
Municipal police in Pennsylvania still cannot use radar. That single fact shapes almost every speeding case in this state.
How it works in Pennsylvania.
Magisterial District Court statewide, before a Magisterial District Judge. In Philadelphia it is the Municipal Court Traffic Division.
Points are a running balance, not a rolling window, which is a real difference from New Jersey and Connecticut. Six points the first time brings a notice and a choice between a special point examination, which removes two points, or Driver Improvement School, which removes four. Eleven or more points brings a mandatory suspension of five days per point on a first suspension, rising to fifteen days per point on a third.
Six points, the first time
A notice, then a special point examination which removes two points, or Driver Improvement School which removes four
Eleven or more points
Mandatory suspension, five days per point on a first suspension
A third suspension
Fifteen days per point
Each clean year
Three points removed
Municipal police here still cannot use radar.
Under 75 Pa.C.S. 3368, radar is restricted to an automated speed enforcement system or the Pennsylvania State Police. Municipal police use VASCAR, ENRADD and timing lines instead, and those carry a statutory tolerance: no conviction unless the recorded speed is six or more miles per hour over, and ten or more where the posted limit is under fifty five.
The tolerance vanishes in school and work zones. Pennsylvania is the only state in the country with this restriction, and Senate Bill 509, which would change it, has sat in the Transportation Committee since March 2025.
Common violations and what they carry.
Speeding, 6 to 10 over
75 Pa.C.S. 3362
The lowest speeding band that can be charged at all outside a school or work zone.
Speeding, 11 to 15 over
75 Pa.C.S. 3362
Three points.
Speeding, 16 to 25 over
75 Pa.C.S. 3362
Four points.
Speeding, 26 to 30 over
75 Pa.C.S. 3362
Five points.
Speeding, 31 or more over
75 Pa.C.S. 3362
Five points plus a departmental hearing. Driver Improvement School removes nothing after an excessive speed conviction at this level.
Red light
75 Pa.C.S. 3112
Three points.
Stop sign
75 Pa.C.S. 3323(b)
Three points.
Careless driving
75 Pa.C.S. 3714(a)
Three points.
The base speeding fine is $45 plus $2 for every mile per hour over. Plea reduction practice and the 2026 cost table are not verified.
What actually helps here.
Driver Improvement School
Six hours across two sessions, in person or virtual, pass mark eighty percent. It removes four points on a first six point accumulation.
It is not an elective ticket dismissal school. It is only available when PennDOT requires it, and it removes nothing at all after an excessive speed conviction of 31 mph or more over.
The six mile per hour tolerance
Where municipal police used VASCAR, ENRADD or timing lines, there is no conviction unless the recorded speed is six or more miles per hour over, or ten or more where the posted limit is under fifty five.
That tolerance disappears in school and work zones.
Ten days after the citation is issued
Either to plead guilty and pay, or to plead not guilty in writing and post collateral equal to the fine and costs.
Yes, and this is the strongest rule in the region
Under Pa.R.Crim.P. 455(A), if you do not appear for a summary trial, the trial is conducted in your absence unless imprisonment is likely. The conviction notice goes out by first class post with thirty days to appeal for a fresh trial.
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Speeding, red light, cell phone, reckless driving, suspended licence and CDL tickets.
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