Pennsylvania`s zero-tolerance law has serious consequences for people under the age of 21 convicted of driving with any amount of alcohol in their blood. Individuals under the age of 21 convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 or higher face severe penalties, including a licence suspension of 12 to 18 months, a prison sentence of 48 hours to six months, and fines ranging from $500 to $5,000. Licence holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a parent, guardian or spouse who is at least 18 years of age and holds a licence. Young drivers are only allowed to drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. if they are working for a job or voluntary service. If a licence holder earns six or more points, the driver`s licence is revoked for 90 days. Getting your driver`s license is a big deal. It brings with it many new freedoms and responsibilities. To ensure driver safety, Pennsylvania has implemented a tiered driver`s license program. As teen drivers age and gain experience behind the wheel, they are subject to fewer driving restrictions. The process begins when you turn 16. Read on to learn more about the age of driving in Pennsylvania.
When people talk about the driving age in Pennsylvania, they often refer to the age at which you can start driving unattended. In Keystone State, it`s 16 and a half years. You can apply for your junior driver`s licence after you have obtained your apprenticeship licence for at least six months. You will also need to record at least 65 hours of driving experience, including at least 10 at night and five in bad weather, before you can get your junior license. It is not necessary for a vehicle to be involved for people under the age of 21 to lose their driver`s license. It is illegal for a person under the age of 21 to consume, possess or transport alcohol or lie about their age in order to obtain alcohol and carry a false identity card. If convicted, the minimum penalties are a maximum fine of $500 plus court costs; a 90-day licence ban for the first violation; a 1-year ban for the second violation; and a 2-year ban for the third and other offences. Courts may require offenders to be assessed to determine the extent of their alcohol use and may also require the successful completion of an alcohol education, intervention or counselling program. For persons under the age of 18, a waiting period of six months and at least 65 hours behind the wheel with a learning permit is required before the aptitude test for a junior licence can be taken. The 65 hours must include 10 hours of night driving and 5 hours of driving in bad weather. Persons aged 18 and over can take the test and receive a license at any time.
Restricted licences have regulations for drivers for a period of time after they get their licence, usually somewhere between the first six months and the first year and a half. Limited licenses generally prohibit the driver from driving at night after a certain time or having more than one passenger under a certain age in the car. A senior license gives you the full freedom of an adult driver. As long as you keep a clean driving record, your junior driver`s license will automatically become a senior driver`s license when you turn 18. However, if you want to speed up the process, you can take state-approved driver training. If you do, you can get your senior license at the age of 17 and a half. Each United States establishes its own laws on conduct. These include speed limits, cell phone use and seat belt laws. Despite these laws promoting road safety, some states still have the worst drivers.
States have tiered licensing programs in place to help young people drive and adapt safely. Each state sets its own laws of conduct, and age can vary widely. An eye exam and knowledge test are conducted, and upon successful completion of a learning permit is issued. The permit is valid for one year. If you have driving experience, you must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older. Note: Licensees under the age of 18 are encouraged to schedule their examination at this time for 6 months from the date of issuance of their original licence. If the student does not feel comfortable before the date of their aptitude test, they can postpone their exam to a later date. To apply for your regular licence before you turn 18, you must complete the application form (DL-59) and send it to PennDOT. If your application is approved, you will receive an update card that you can carry with you with your junior driver`s licence. If you do not qualify to purchase a regular license before you turn 18, you will have to wait for the Junior license restrictions to be automatically lifted when you turn 18.
For drivers under the age of 18 who wish to obtain their completed driver`s license before the age of 18, a PennDOT approved driver training course must be completed. If this is not the case, a junior license automatically becomes a tiered license when it reaches the age of 18. The following restrictions must be respected by drivers holding a junior driver`s licence: Do you think you are ready to take your knowledge test? Please use our location service to find a PennDOT location near you. Be sure to bring your completed application for a Non-Commercial Learner`s Licence (PDF), the completed Parental and Guardian Consent Form if you are under 18 years of age (PDF), proof of identity and residence, and applicable fees. Driver`s licenses are issued by all states, including the District of Columbia, not the federal government. Drivers must obtain a license in their state of residence, but all states recognize each other`s licenses as valid forms of identification for age requirements for non-residents. To get your junior licence, you must pass a road proficiency test. It is possible to obtain a regular license one year after obtaining your junior license and still be under 18 years old. To do this, you must have successfully completed a PennDOT approved driver training program, have no infractions or accidents on your record, and have the consent of your parents, guardians or spouses. If you meet these criteria, you can purchase a full license from the age of 17. Have a physician, physician assistant, certified nurse or chiropractor perform a physical examination and complete Form DL-180 (PDF), “Application for a Non-Commercial Learner`s Licence.” In Pennsylvania, you can apply for your apprenticeship permit at age 16. To get your license, you must pass an 18-question written knowledge test that covers Pennsylvania`s traffic laws and road signs.
After getting your approval, you can practice behind the wheel. Keep in mind that licence holders can only drive in the front seat with a licensed adult who is 21 years of age or older. Additional impact on your driver`s licence: If you do not have a driver`s licence, you are not eligible to apply for a learning licence for the period of suspension. If you are under the age of 16, your suspension will not begin until your 16th birthday, provided you acknowledge receipt of your suspension and receive it at any time before your 16th birthday. In addition to the suspension, a recovery fee must be paid before your driver`s licence is returned or your application for a Non-Commercial Learning Permit (DL-180) is considered for processing. You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a learning permit. Before applying, you must also undergo a physical examination by a physician and complete the “Certificate of Medical Qualification” section of Form DL-180 to verify that you are medically fit to drive. Then you can visit a license center with the following points: It is important to follow these restrictions, as this could delay the completion of the senior driver`s license.
Take your eye exam and knowledge test at a PennDOT driver`s license center. Upon successful completion, you will receive your initial learning permit. Once drivers reach full licence age, they are entitled to a full and unrestricted licence. Some states require that the driver has not been convicted of violating a traffic law with their limited license in order to get their full driver`s license.