How Will Drunk Driving Conviction Affect My Auto Insurance Rates?
Reader’s Question:
My daughter is away at college and was recently arrested for underage drinking. She does not have a vehicle at school but her license has been suspended for 3 months. She is on my auto insurance and I would like to know this affect my insurance rates? I live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Henry
Lancaster, PA
Even though your daughter is away at college, since she stays on your auto insurance it is likely that her underage drinking violation could affect your car insurance rates. An insurance carrier in Lancaster, Pennsylvania will normally take into account the driving histories of all household members, especially those listed as drivers on the insurance policy.
Since insurance carrier’s rating systems vary, to check for sure how your daughter’s violation of the law will affect your car insurance rates contact your insurance broker. Also your insurance carrier’s rating system should be filed with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department if you would rather contact them for this information.
Drivers License Suspended – Now I Need an Occupational Limited License?
Reader’s Question:
My daughter had her license suspended in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She has a about three months left on the suspension. She just graduated from the university and started getting a new job. How does she get a special license so she may be able to work and back?
Allison
Bethlehem, PA
Your daughter will need to contact the PA Driver and Vehicle Services division of the Department of Transportation to check if she qualifies for a limited or conditional license that will permit her to operate a vehicle to and from work and perhaps home and college.
The information on the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code states that it is permitted for a person with a suspended license to apply for a restricted license. This includes either a occupational limited license or a probationary license.
An occupational limited license may be issued to a person whose driving privileges have been suspended. To get this type of license, a petition must be filed that listed the reasons the individual needs to drive a car.
Military Discount Car Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Reader’s Question:
My son is in a military academy and He will spend about a total of 1 month at home during the year for visits. I just want to know if in Erie, Pennsylvania do I need to keep my son on my auto insurance, if his drivers license address is still at our address? If not what will happen if he got involve in an accident while driving my vehicle? Can he get a military discount on car insurance?
Gina
Erie, PA
Insurance provider guidelines in Erie PA vary so you will need to contact your insurance company’s agent to check if they will require you to keep your son in your policy or not, that is away at the military academy for most of the year.
Since he is only going to be at home for a month in a year your insurance provider may permit you to take him off as a driver for the present time period. If they do then your insurance company will probably let you to inform them when he does come in for visits. While he is in using the vehicle they may require you to add or re-instate him as a an additional driver.
What Are The Penalties For Driving Without Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Reader’s Question:
I got involved in an accident and was informed that my license was suspended and my auto insurance was not valid prior to the accident in Springfield. What will the penalties be?.
Richard
Springfield, PA
In Pennsylvania the penalties for driving with a suspended license will differ depending on the reason for your license suspension. If it was suspended due to driving a car without auto insurance it will likely be three months before you can have it reinstated.
If you are found by police officer to be driving without insurance in Springfield PA, you could face the following penalties and expenses:
- A minimum fine of $300 for driving uninsured;
- A three month suspension of your driver’s license;
- A three month suspension of your vehicle’s registration;
- A $50 restoration fee to restore your vehicle’s registration;
- $50 restoration fee to restore your driver’s license;
- Your car may not be driven by anyone while the registration is suspended.
In addition if you were at fault in the car accident, you likely will be held personally liable for the damage to the other driver’s car. You may contact the Pennsylvania Driver and Vehicle Services to get more information regarding the penalties.
How Many Points Before Drivers License Suspension in Pennsylvania?
Reader’s Question:
In Pennsylvania how many points have to be on your driving record before they will suspend your drivers license? I live in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Angel
Reading, PA
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintains a driving record for every licensed motorist in Pennsylvania and points are added to this driving record when a motorist is found guilty of certain driving traffic violations.
Upon the 1st accumulation of six points, a motorist will receive a written notice to take special written point examination. The motorist has thirty days to successfully pass the exam otherwise the license will be suspended until the exam is passed. If the exam is passed within the thirty days, two points will be removed from the driving record.
If the motorist is under the age of eighteen the rules are different. PennDOT will suspend the drivers license when the motorist accumulate only six points or are convicted of driving 26 or more mph over the posted speed limit.
Teen Drunk Driving Insurance Rates in Pennsylvania
Reader’s Question:
I am only eighteen years old and I receive a DUI in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I went through the ARD program and I would like to know if my auto insurance will go up at all?
Charles
Scranton, PA
In Pennsylvania they permit for an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) for 1st offense of DUI. When a DUI offender is accepted into an ARD program the state suspends their charges however they are required that certain court ordered conditions are met. These conditions may include community service, drug and alcohol counseling, etc.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department states that if you are convicted of an alcohol related violation such as DUI in Scranton, Pennsylvania, whether or not you complete an ARD program, your license will be suspended. This alone is a valid reason for insurance providers to increase rates, non-renew or cancel your insurance policy.
What Are Penalties For Driving With Revoked License in Pennsylvania?
Reader’s Question:
What happen if the person with the revoked license was caught driving with a 6 year old child in the car along with them? This person told me that he was caught a lot of times, and the law enforcement officer have let him go. He is not due to have his license back for another five years in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Miranda
Reading, PA
The vehicle code calls for the 2nd or any subsequent violation of driving while your operating privilege is revoked or suspended to pay a fine of not less than $200 but not more than $1000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. If you get caught driving with a revoked license 6 or more time times the penalty is a fine of not less than $1000 and imprisonment for not less than thirty days but not more than six months. A habitual violator of driving with a revoked license commits a misdemeanor in the 2nd degree.
The penalties should not change if the motorist with the revoked license has a child in the car, unless the child is not safe in a proper child safety seat for which the motorist should be ticketed for. If you are concerned for the child or about this motorist in Reading, PA being on the road without having a valid drivers license you can contact the Pennsylvania Driver and Vehicles Service or PENNDOT and make a complaint.
Can I Get a Leaners Drivers Permit Before 16 in Pennsylvania?
Reader’s Question:
Can I get my driver’s permit before I turn sixteen in Pennsylvania?
Mary
Levittown, Pennsylvania (PA)
No, to the best of my knowledge you cannot get a learner’s permit in Pennsylvania before the age of sixteen. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Driver and Vehicles services as well as the PA driver’s manual, you must be sixteen years of age or older in order to apply for a learner’s permit.
Young drivers will also receive a Parent/Guardian Certification Form when they are issued a learner’s permit. This form is documents of the 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice. Young drivers must bring the completed certification form with them when they return to take the road portion of the driver licensing exam (6 months or more after getting their permit).
In Pennsylvania the earliest age that young drivers can qualify for a full unrestricted driver’s license in is 17 ½. These young drivers must have held a junior driver’s license for at least 1 full year, completed a state-approved driver’s education course, remained crash- and conviction-free, and to qualify for an unrestricted license before the age of eighteen.
Driving Without Car Insurance in Pennsylvania – What To Do?
Reader’s Question:
What should I do if I was issued a ticket in for driving without insurance on a car that I do not own and and the car had no insurance? I live in Pennsylvania.
Parker
Levittown, PA
If you were issued a ticket for no insurance on a car that you did not own you should first determine if the ticket that you received was written to you personally or to the car. In most states such as Pennsylvania the law enforcement officer has the option of citing the car (owner) or the driver of an uninsured car.
Most states will suspend your license and require you to get proof of insurance with regards to your state’s financial responsibility laws if the citation was written against you personally. State laws will differ on this. If the citation is for you call the department listed on the ticket to determine what steps you need to take to rectify the situation.
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