When you commit a traffic offense in Pennsylvania, you may worry about how long it will remain on your record. A lengthier record of offenses can affect your insurance and influence how you look on background checks.
Common Types of Traffic Violations
 Law enforcement in Pennsylvania may issue citations or arrest drivers for traffic offenses such as:
- Speeding
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failing to signal
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Failing to yield to emergency vehicles
- Improper passing
- Passing in a no-passing zone
- Illegal left turns or U-turns
- Driving while using a mobile electronic device
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Record?
 Convictions for summary (non-criminal) traffic offenses will remain on your driving record permanently. Pennsylvania does not allow drivers to expunge convictions from their driving records. Points associated with a traffic offense will slowly come off a driver’s record over time. However, when a traffic violation results in criminal charges and a conviction, a motorist may eventually have the right to seek expungement of that offense from their criminal record.
Pennsylvania’s Points System
 Under Pennsylvania’s points system, drivers will receive points on their record following a conviction for a traffic violation. The number of points imposed for a violation depends on the severity of the offense, with more serious traffic violations or traffic offenses that lead to criminal charges imposing more points.
When a driver accumulates six or more points for the first time, they must either pass a written Special Point Exam or attend Driver Improvement School. Passing the Special Point Exam will remove two points from the driver’s record, and completing Driver Improvement School will remove four points. Accumulating six or more points for a second or subsequent time will require the driver to attend a departmental hearing and Driver Improvement School. The hearing may result in the imposition of various sanctions, such as taking a road driver’s exam or a 15- or 30-day suspension of driving privileges.
Pennsylvania also removes three points from a driver’s record for every 12 consecutive months in which they do not serve a license suspension or commit any traffic violation resulting in points, license suspension, or revocation. Once a driver reaches zero points on their record and accumulates no more points for at least 12 consecutive months, any subsequent accumulation of points is treated as a first-time accumulation.
Impact of Traffic Violations on Insurance
 Traffic violations can also affect your ability to obtain auto insurance and the cost of coverage. When a driver has severe or multiple traffic violations on their record, insurance companies may view them as a higher insurance risk, as repeated or severe violations of traffic laws can increase a driver’s chances of causing or getting into an accident.
Contact a Traffic Violations Defense Attorney Today
 When you’ve already accumulated traffic violations on your driving record, a new violation can have serious consequences. A traffic violations defense lawyer can explain the consequences of a pending violation and defend your rights and interests in court. Contact Chieppor & Egner, LLC, today for a confidential consultation to learn how our experienced attorneys can guide you through resolving outstanding traffic citations.
