Driving on a Suspended License in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, your driving privileges can be suspended or revoked for many different reasons. Motorists who get caught driving during a revocation or suspension will likely face criminal charges. Depending on the circumstances, being convicted for driving on a suspended or revoked license can result in fines, jail time, and additional time without a license.

Reasons for Suspension or Revocation

Your license can be suspended or revoked for certain driving offenses, criminal convictions, and several other reasons. Some of the more common situations that lead to the loss of driving privileges include:

• acquiring too many demerit points for traffic violation convictions
• being convicted of a felony in which a vehicle was essentially involved
• traffic violations offenses that lead to the death or injury of another person
• certain types of fraud, forgery, and counterfeiting related to vehicle documents and plates
• vehicular homicide convictions
• being convicted of street racing
• reckless driving convictions
• being convicted for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and
• failing or refusing to take a chemical test in violation of the state's implied consent laws.

(75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 1532, 1539, 1547, 3804 (2026).)

However, this isn't a complete list of circumstances that can result in license suspension or revocation. Many other reasons can lead to losing your right to drive.

Reinstating Your License

Suspension and revocation periods vary depending on the circumstances. But once the suspension or revocation period is over, you'll typically need to pay a reinstatement fee (and might need to meet other requirements) before you can legally drive again. The fee is normally $70 or $88, but reinstatement fees for DUI and chemical test refusal can be significantly higher. (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 1547, 1960 (2026).)

Criminal Charges for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

In most situations, driving on a suspended or revoked license is a summary offense.

In many cases, driving on a suspended or revoked license is a summary offense and carries a fine of $200, but no jail time. However, driving during a DUI-related suspension or revocation carries more serious penalties. The penalties for convictions for driving on a license that's suspended or revoked for DUI-related offenses are:

• First offense. A summary offense that can result in a $500 fine and 60 to 90 days in jail.
• Second offense. A summary offense that can result in a $1000 fine and 90 days in jail.
• Third or subsequent offense. A third-degree misdemeanor that can result in a $2,500 fine and at least six months in jail.

Driving on a suspended or revoked license will generally also result in an additional period of revocation or suspension. (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1543 (2026).)

Legal Help for Charges of Driving After Suspension or Revocation

Driving on a suspended or revoked license can lead to serious consequences. If you've been arrested for one of these offenses, you should get in contact with an experienced defense attorney. A qualified attorney can tell you how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on the best course of action.