What the officer will do when they discover your suspension
When a Pennsylvania State Police officer or local police officer runs your license during a traffic stop and finds an active suspension, they will tell you the license is suspended. At that point, you are driving with a suspended license — a separate violation from whatever prompted the stop. The officer will likely issue you a citation for driving with a suspended or revoked license under Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Section 1575, in addition to any ticket for the original violation (speeding, expired registration, whatever they stopped you for).
The officer may impound your vehicle on the spot, depending on the reason for the suspension. If your suspension is for unpaid fines, child support arrears, or a DUI-related offense, impoundment is more likely. If it is for a medical reason or a paperwork issue, the officer has discretion. You will be told whether your car is being towed and where.
You will not be arrested on the spot for a first offense of driving with a suspended license unless there are other circumstances (outstanding warrant, the suspension is for a serious offense, you have prior convictions for the same violation). Most often you receive a citation and are told to arrange a ride or call someone to pick up the vehicle before it is towed.
Key Takeaways
- Driving with a suspended license in Pennsylvania is a separate criminal charge from the reason your license was suspended, and you will receive a citation for it.
- Your vehicle may be impounded when ready, especially if the suspension is for unpaid fines, child support, or a DUI-related offense.
- You must contact PennDOT to find out why your license was suspended before you can restore it — the reason determines what steps you take next.
- Fines for driving with a suspended license range from $200 to $500 for a first offense, plus court costs and potential jail time if you are convicted.
- You cannot legally drive until PennDOT officially reinstates your license; a suspension does not expire on its own.
How to find out why your license was suspended without going to court
Before you do anything else, you need to know the reason. PennDOT does not mail suspension notices to every driver — many people discover the suspension during a traffic stop, exactly as you did. Call PennDOT's Driver Services line at 717-391-6190 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time) and have your driver's license number ready. They will tell you the specific reason: unpaid fines, child support arrears, medical suspension, failure to pay insurance-related fees, or another cause.
Write down the reason and any case or ticket number they give you. If the suspension is tied to a court case, ask for the case number and the court location. If it is tied to unpaid fines, ask the amount owed and which court or agency holds the debt. This information is essential because the steps to restore your license depend entirely on the reason.
You can also check your suspension status online through PennDOT's Driver License Check system at www.dot.pa.gov, though the online system does not always show the detailed reason. A phone call is faster and more reliable.
Paying fines and court costs to restore your license
If your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed before PennDOT will reinstate your license. Contact the court listed on your citation or ask PennDOT which court holds your case. Many Pennsylvania courts accept payment by phone, online, or in person. Some courts use a third-party payment processor; ask whether there is a processing fee.
Once the court confirms payment, they send a clearance to PennDOT. This does not happen when ready — allow 5 to 10 business days for the court to process the payment and notify PennDOT. You can call PennDOT again after that time to confirm your license has been reinstated. Do not drive until you have confirmed the reinstatement with PennDOT.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the court and ask about a payment plan. Many courts will work with you on installments, and some will lift the suspension once you have made the first payment and agreed to a schedule. This varies by court, so ask directly.
Handling a suspension for unpaid child support
If the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services suspended your license for unpaid child support, you must contact the domestic relations office in the county where the support order was issued. They will tell you the amount owed and whether a payment plan is available. Unlike traffic fines, child support suspensions often cannot be lifted by a single payment — the agency may require you to be current on payments going forward or to have paid a significant portion of the arrears.
Once you have made an arrangement with the domestic relations office, they will notify PennDOT to lift the suspension. Again, allow 5 to 10 business days for the notification to reach PennDOT's system. Call PennDOT to confirm the reinstatement before you drive.
What to do about the citation you received
The citation for driving with a suspended license is a separate case from the reason your license was suspended. You will receive a court date on the citation itself, usually 4 to 6 weeks after the traffic stop. You must appear in court on that date or contact the court in advance to request a continuance or to enter a plea.
Driving with a suspended license is a summary offense in Pennsylvania, which means it is less serious than a felony but more serious than a parking ticket. A first conviction carries a fine of $200 to $500, plus court costs (typically $50 to $150). A second or subsequent conviction within five years can result in a fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
You have the right to contest the citation. If you can show that you did not know your license was suspended and that you took reasonable steps to keep it valid, you may have a defense. However, Pennsylvania law does not require the DMV to notify you of a suspension, so "I didn't know" alone is not a legal defense. Speak with a traffic attorney in your county if you want to challenge the charge.
Getting your vehicle back if it was impounded
If your car was towed, the police will have given you the name and location of the impound lot. You must pay the towing fee (typically $150 to $300) and a daily storage fee (usually $25 to $50 per day) to retrieve it. Some impound lots require payment in cash or by debit card only.
You can retrieve your vehicle even if your license is still suspended — you just cannot drive it away. You can have someone else drive it, or you can arrange for a tow truck to move it to a repair shop or your home. Before you go to the impound lot, call ahead to confirm the exact amount owed and what payment methods they accept.
Reinstating your license after the suspension is lifted
Once you have resolved the underlying reason for the suspension (paid the fines, arranged child support payments, or cleared a medical suspension), PennDOT will reinstate your license automatically. You do not need to file paperwork or pay a reinstatement fee in most cases. However, you should call PennDOT at 717-391-6190 to confirm that your license is active before you drive.
If your license was suspended for a DUI or other serious offense, reinstatement may require you to install an ignition interlock device, complete a substance abuse program, or meet other conditions. PennDOT will tell you what is required when you call.
Keep a record of the date PennDOT confirms your reinstatement. If you are stopped again and the officer's system still shows a suspension, you will have proof that it was lifted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license to drive to work while my license is suspended?
Pennsylvania does not issue hardship licenses for most suspensions. If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, you cannot drive for any reason until it is lifted. If the suspension is medical-related, you may be able to request a limited license from PennDOT, but you must contact them directly to ask.
What if I pay the fines but PennDOT's system still shows a suspension?
Courts and PennDOT do not communicate in real time. After you pay, allow 5 to 10 business days for the court to send the clearance to PennDOT. If more than 10 days have passed, call the court to confirm they sent the clearance, then call PennDOT to confirm receipt. If there is a delay, ask the court for a written clearance letter you can carry with you.
Do I have to go to court for the suspended license citation?
Yes, you must appear on the date listed on the citation unless you contact the court beforehand to request a continuance or to enter a guilty plea by mail. Failing to appear will result in an additional charge and a bench warrant for your arrest.
Will this suspended license charge affect my insurance?
Yes. A conviction for driving with a suspended license is a moving violation and will appear on your driving record. Your insurance company will see it and may raise your rates or cancel your policy. Some insurers will not insure drivers with recent suspended license convictions.
Can I get the impound fee waived if I did not know my license was suspended?
No. Impound fees are set by the towing company and the police department, not by the court. They do not waive fees based on whether the driver knew about the suspension. You must pay the full amount to retrieve your vehicle.