expired licence in P.A.

[qtemt83]

Good morning for some evening for most I would greatly appreciate some advice on my current situation. Well to put it simply while driving I screwed up and ran a red light... now I was at an intersection that is very confusing and it was an honest mistake and the officer who pulled me over was very understanding and was not concerned with the light
The issue was my licence being expired for over 6 months which he did give me a ticket for. He advised me that I need to go get it renewed and the judge may show me leniency. After he said that to me I began to panic that I'm in more hot water than I thought! I have found info on the charge 1501 (a) and it seems to have a grey area I just don't understand. Of course I will be going to get my licence renewed and I assume go to court. Basically I'm wondering in my state what the consequence will be for this. Am I going to loose my licence now because of this mistake? Obviously I'm sure this can vary however any input I would really appreciate! ! Be safe out there and thanks for all you do!!

[greg72982]

No suspension...

d) Penalty.--Any person violating subsection (a) is guilty
of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to
pay a fine of $200, except that, if the person charged furnishes
satisfactory proof of having held a driver's license valid on
the last day of the preceding driver's license period and no
more than one year has elapsed from the last date for renewal,
the fine shall be $25. No person charged with violating
subsection (a) or (b) shall be convicted if the person produces
at the office of the issuing authority within 15 days of the
violation:
(1) a driver's license valid in this Commonwealth at the
time of the violation; or
(2) if the driver's license is lost, stolen, destroyed
or illegible, evidence that the driver was licensed at the
time of the violation.

[qtemt83]

Thanks so much!!! Phew such a releif that I wont have a suspension!! So from what you posted it seems a fine is all I will get? I'm assuming that means no points on my record??Never again will I make the mistake of not knowing my expiration date! Thanks again for your advise!!!

[mcsap]

A SECOND offense gets a little ugly.

But there are no points with ANY expired license vio's. But a 2nd or subsequent offense CAN result in a fine of $200 - $1,000 and or 90 days in jail PLUS a license suspension.

[greg72982]

I don't know if it's the case with you, but majority of these violations can be avoided by simply updating your address with PennDOT. People never do it but then wonder why they werent notified of their plate/license expiring, plate/license being suspended, points etc. All of these notifications are made by mail and by law you are required to update it. It's very easy now too, most of that can be done online.

[retdetsgt]

I don't know if it's the case with you, but majority of these violations can be avoided by simply updating your address with PennDOT. People never do it but then wonder why they werent notified of their plate/license expiring, plate/license being suspended, points etc. All of these notifications are made by mail and by law you are required to update it. It's very easy now too, most of that can be done online.

In Oregon, it's the law that you have to notify DMV within 30 days of an address change. Failure to do so can result in yet another ticket.

[greg72982]

In Oregon, it's the law that you have to notify DMV within 30 days of an address change. Failure to do so can result in yet another ticket.

Here also, within 15 days, also 15 for ID cards. Ironically it's section 1515 of the vehicle code

[AlexWW29]

People need to understand that PennDOT doesn't forward mail as well.

If you moved, it's YOUR responsibility to update your address with PennDOT, not theirs to track you down. They mail renewals to the last known address they have on file.

I hate when people try to use that as an excuse...

[mcsap]

People need to understand that PennDOT doesn't forward mail as well.

If you moved, it's YOUR responsibility to update your address with PennDOT, not theirs to track you down. They mail renewals to the last known address they have on file.

I hate when people try to use that as an excuse...

I dont hate it , I point out that THEY violated 1515 and the judge promtply finds them guilty.