Driver Improvement School
PennDOT provides a Driver Improvement School course for drivers whose record has an initial accumulation of six points for the first time, a second and subsequent accumulation of six points, or a conviction for excessive speeding, (31 mph over the posted speed limit), as outlined in the PA Vehicle Code, § 1538.
The Driver Improvement School covers driver responsibility and awareness, risk awareness, interacting with other roadway users, and managing driving tasks and is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and techniques to improve driver-related choices to reduce future violations and, possibly, traffic crashes.
The six-hour course will be presented in two, three-hour sessions over a one-day period. Once scheduled for the Driver Improvement School, full participation is required, as is passing a final exam, which is a series of multiple-choice questions, with a score of 80% or higher. Failure to attend the required course, or meet the requirements of the course, may result in an indefinite suspension of the driver's driving privileges until all requirements are successfully completed.
For a driver whose record has reached six or more points for the first time, the driver will have the option of taking either a written Special Point Examination or attend the Driver Improvement School. Upon successful completion of the special written point exam, two points will be removed from the driving record. If a person elects to attend the Driver Improvement School and successfully completes the course, four points will be removed from the driver's record.
When any person's driving record reaches six or more points for the second or subsequent time, or when a driver has been cited for excessive speeding (31 mph over the posted speed limit), as outlined in the PA Vehicle Code, § 1538, the driver will receive written notice of the requirement to attend a Departmental Hearing and the Driver Improvement School.
In addition, at the conclusion of the Departmental Hearing, one or more of the following may also be recommended: that the driver may be required take a special on road driver's examination as provided in §1508 of the PA Vehicle Code, and/or serve a suspension not exceeding 15 days of their driving privilege for the second accumulation of points. The third or subsequent accumulation of six or more points the suspension may result in a suspension not exceeding 30 days of the driving privilege, as provided for in §1538 of PA Vehicle Code.
Upon successful completion of the sanctions imposed by the Department, two points shall be removed from the driver's record. Failure to attend the Departmental Hearing or comply with the Driver Improvement School shall result in the indefinite suspension of driving privileges until the requirements have been successfully completed.
At the conclusion of an Excessive Speed Hearing, one or more of the following may be recommended: the driver may be required to take a special on road driver's examination, as provided for in §1508 of PA Vehicle Code, and/or serve a suspension not exceeding 15 days of their driving privilege.
Upon successful completion of the Departmental Hearing and Driver Improvement School, no points will be removed for their record. Failure to attend the Departmental Hearing or comply with the Driver Improvement School shall result in the indefinite suspension of the driving privilege until the requirements have been successfully completed.
The Driver Improvement School sessions are held virtually or in-person at the following Driver License Centers:
- Erie Driver License Center, Summit Towne Center, 7200 Peach St., Suite 480, Erie, PA 1509
- Butler Driver License Center, 158 Point Plaza, Butler, PA 16001
- Rockview/Pleasant Gap Driver License Center, 812 W. College Ave., Pleasant Gap, PA 16823
- Wilkes-Barre Driver License Center, 1085 Hanover St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18706
- Chambersburg Driver License Center, 1320 Lincoln Hwy. East, Franklin Center, Chambersburg, PA 17202
- York Driver License Center, S. York Value Center, 2130 S. Queen St., York, PA 17403
- Norristown Driver License Center, 1700 Markley St., Suite 30, Norristown, PA 19401.
- Bridgeville Driver License Center, Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017
- Jeannette Driver License Center, Lowry Avenue, Jeannette, PA 15644
- Harrisburg Riverfront Office Center, 1101 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Drivers may only attend the Driver Improvement School as required because of their point accumulation or excessive speed conviction; they may not request to attend on their own.