Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I am an ex Marine wanting to become a Pa State Policeman. I have never been arrested or
have never committed a crime and never had a dwi but my driving record is not good.
Would my driving record cause me not to get accepted?

dijan, first off, Welcome to RP from the Florida Panhandle! Glad you found our site and joined up. Usually we ask our newest members to go to the New Member Introductions (http://www.realpolice.net/forums/new-member-introductions-15/) section and post a thread telling us a bit more about themselves so we know a bit more about you.

As for your post, I must correct you and stated that there are NO SUCH THINGS as "ex" Marines! If you were truly in the Marine Corps and received an honorable type discharge, you're still a Marine (remember the old saying, "Once a Marine, always a Marine"?) I am a retired Marine, so I kinda take it a little more personal than others may...

As for a bad driving record, that definitely could be a bad sign as far as becoming a LEO. A very big part of our job is driving and if you've proven that you're not that good at it, it's going to be quite the liability. The good news is if you can go a few years (depending on the agency) with a GOOD driving record, much can be forgiven. So, it sounds as if it's a temporary condition for now, unless you plan on continuing your bad habits which have brought you to where you are now.

How bad is not good ?

How bad is not good ?

Kinda what I was thinking...

Some chargable accidents and a wreckless driving charge and 2 speeding

Some chargable accidents and a wreckless driving charge and 2 speeding

Over how many years and when was the last time you had any "incidents"?

I dont have much authority and am not an leo but i was under the impression that a reckless charge was always and automatic DQ

It's been at least 3 years for my accidents ans speeding tickets but the wreckless driving was about 2 years ago-
I passed a school bus thst was stopped 4 lanes away on opposite side of road. It was pitch dark and I didn't
see it. that probably sink me for PA State Policeman.

It's been at least 3 years for my accidents ans speeding tickets but the wreckless driving was about 2 years ago-
I passed a school bus thst was stopped 4 lanes away on opposite side of road. It was pitch dark and I didn't
see it. that probably sink me for PA State Policeman.

Reckless Driving is a SERIOUS Traffic Offense in PA that carries a mandatory 6 month loss of license.

Passing a school bus ( theu do have RED FLASHING LIGHTS is a 60 day suspension.

Accidents and speeding tickets thrown in do not make a good background.

It must have been careless riving because I did not get my license suspended. I never ha my license suspended.

I passed a school bus thst was stopped 4 lanes away on opposite side of road. It was pitch dark and I didn't see it.

Am I missing something? School bus have flashing lights, how do you not see them?


It must have been careless riving because I did not get my license suspended. I never ha my license suspended.

If you got cited for meeting or overtaking a school bus you would have been suspended. Have you been pulled over since? Maybe you were suspended and didn't get the notice due to a number of reasons, the most common is people not updating their address with PennDOT. When you are suspended you MUST surrender your license. You are suspended up until they get it and once they get it the suspension period starts. No "time served."

I never had my license suspended I paid a fine and received points on my license but I never had to be retested
or take the school or anything. I think it was a 4 point ticket and you have to have 6 to lose your license.

No, you have to take your test over at 6 points and you LOSE it at 11 points.

Careless Driving = 3 points.

A school bus pass is 5 points and a mandatory 60 day loss of license.