No driver gets behind the wheel expecting to commit a traffic violation. When issued a ticket out of state, where the laws may differ from your home state, it can become overwhelming trying to understand what your legal rights are. At Chieppor & Egner, our Lancaster criminal defense attorneys’ goals are to help our clients understand Pennsylvania’s complex laws, even when a client lives in a different state entirely.
Traffic Violation Laws for Out-of-State Drivers in Pennsylvania
An out-of-state driver can receive consequences for a traffic violation committed in Lancaster, although whether actual points are added depends on the laws of the driver’s home state. Pennsylvania participates in the Driver License Compact, an agreement between states that helps them share traffic violation information and treat drivers more consistently across state lines.
States believe that breaking traffic laws shows risky driving behavior that could endanger people and property. Because of this, having a driver’s license is based on the expectation that drivers will follow traffic laws wherever they go, not just in their home state. If an out-of-state driver receives a speeding ticket or another traffic violation in Lancaster, the violation may be reported to the driver’s home state DMV.
The driver’s home state then decides whether to assess points or other penalties according to its own statutes and point system. For example, some states will treat the Pennsylvania offense as if it occurred in the driver’s home state and will assign points accordingly.
Pennsylvania’s Point System for Traffic Violations
Outlined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1535, Pennsylvania has a driver point system created to track unsafe driving and encourage safer behavior on the road. When a driver is convicted of certain traffic violations, PennDOT adds points to their driving record on the date of the violation. Some violations automatically result in points. For example:
- Failing to obey a police officer results in two points
- Running a red light or failing to stop at a stop sign results in three points
- Leaving the scene of an accident that only involves property damage results in four points
Pennsylvania’s point system is designed to track driving behavior over time. Accumulating too many points can lead to warnings, mandatory exams, driver improvement courses, hearings, or suspension of driving privileges.
For out-of-state drivers, Pennsylvania itself generally does not place points directly onto another state’s license record. Instead, Pennsylvania reports the conviction through the Driver License Compact, and the driver’s home state determines whether points should be added under that state’s own laws.
Consult With a Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney in Lancaster Today
As longtime residents of Pennsylvania, attorneys Jonathan Chieppor and Alex Egner are passionate about advocating on behalf of their community members during challenging times in life. Both partners previously worked in the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, giving them priceless insight into local legal procedures.
At Chieppor & Egner, we believe that the outcome of our cases makes a real impact throughout Lancaster County, Berks County, and York County. Contact us online today or call 717-393-1400 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
