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Traffic Tickets and Driving on a Suspended License in PA
A traffic ticket itself does not suspend your license, but ignoring it, accumulating too many points, or being convicted of certain offenses like DUI can. Driving after that suspension takes effect is a separate, more serious charge under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1543. A non-DUI-related suspension under § 1543(a) carries a summary offense, a fine, and up to an additional year of suspension. A DUI-related suspension under § 1543(b) carries significantly harsher penalties, including mandatory jail time.
Driving on a Suspended License: Two Different Charges
| Charge | When It Applies | General Penalty Range |
| § 1543(a) | Suspension for non-DUI reasons, such as unpaid tickets or accumulated points | Summary offense, fine, additional suspension, jail time possible but not mandatory |
| § 1543(b) | Suspension tied to a DUI conviction, ARD for DUI, or a chemical test refusal | Summary offense with a mandatory minimum fine and jail time on a first conviction |
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How a License Gets Suspended in the First Place
- Point accumulation — PennDOT suspends a license once a driver accumulates too many points within a set period
- Unpaid or ignored citations — failing to respond to a traffic citation can trigger a suspension separate from any points
- A DUI conviction or ARD — suspension is a mandatory part of a DUI disposition, whether by conviction or ARD
- Chemical test refusal — refusing a breath or blood test under § 1547 triggers its own suspension, independent of any DUI charge
Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License
- Fines — ranging from roughly $200 for a non-DUI suspension up to higher mandatory minimums for a DUI-related suspension
- Jail exposure — discretionary for a non-DUI suspension, mandatory minimum jail time for most first DUI-related suspended-license convictions
- Extended suspension — driving on a suspended license typically adds further suspension time on top of the original one
- No occupational limited license in some cases — a DUI-related suspended-license conviction can block eligibility for a work-only license during the added suspension period
Related Pages
For the citation process itself, see how to fight a traffic citation in PA. For DUI-specific suspensions, BAC penalties, and ARD eligibility, see our Scranton DUI Attorney page.
FAQ
Is driving on a suspended license always a DUI-related charge?
No. A suspension can come from unpaid tickets or accumulated points with no DUI involved, charged under § 1543(a). A DUI-related suspension is charged more seriously under § 1543(b).
Can I get a work permit license while suspended?
It depends on why the license was suspended. Non-DUI suspensions may allow an occupational limited license in some cases, while most DUI-related suspended-license convictions do not.
How do I find out if my license is actually suspended?
PennDOT mails suspension notices, but drivers can also check their status directly through PennDOT or confirm it with an attorney before assuming a ticket alone triggered a suspension.
Why Choose Shane Scanlon Law?
Attorney Shane Scanlon is the former District Attorney of Lackawanna County, with direct experience in how suspended-license and traffic cases are charged and prosecuted. The firm represents clients across Scranton, Lackawanna County, and the surrounding NEPA region.
Facing a Suspended License Charge?
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