If you are reading this, you are probably interested in a Pennsylvania Probationary License.
Since I just received mine today, I will share the process and how it worked. I didn't have the greatest driving record to start with due to having a few DUI offenses which also included driving under suspension DUI related.
Well, fast forward 7 years later. I lost my license for a total of 8 years and then learned about a probationary license and what it takes to get one. A person in Pennsylvania can get a probationary license if their license is suspended or revoked for 5 or more years. The least amount of suspension you can have is 3 years and that is for more minor related suspensions like never having a license and getting caught, speeding, racing, etc.
To get the license no matter what your circumstance, you need to have "clean time". In other words, you haven't had another violation in the time needed to get a probationary license.
Like in my case, having a DUI , driving under suspension DUI related, suspended for a refusal to submit, as well as a few other scenarios, you need to have a full 7 years of no new offenses.
Anyway, the day came that I was eligible. I sent in the form as well as the amount of money needed. In my case $163.75 which was $88.75 for the license and $75.00 for the restoration fee.
I then received a letter approximately 3 weeks later stating I was eligible and approved. However, before the license could be issued I would be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device installed as well as attend a Departmental Review session.
I called to have an Ignition Interlock installed the day I got the letter. The appointment was about two weeks later. I was also informed in the letter that I would be informed within 21 working days of the date, time, and location of the Departmental Review.
After having the Interlock installed, I received a letter about the Departmental Review about three weeks later informing me it would be in about three weeks. Then, five days before the hearing I received a letter stating the hearing had been postponed for two weeks. No reason was given. Actually, it was just another letter exactly as the first one just stating another date and time. Same location though.
Finally, the day came and I proceeded down to the licensing center. I got there about 10 minutes before my stated time. The place was packed with people getting licenses, getting photos, taking tests. I actually had to look around until I saw the "Departmental Review Hearings" sign. It was a relief. I just got into the area that said to have a seat until called, when a man came out of a door and called my name. What luck?
He instructed me to come inside a room and he needed to ask some questions and see my identification. He looked over my identification. The letter said bring one form of the following, which then was proceeded by three groups of ID. I took no chances and brought one from each group- my photo ID, my birth certificate, my social security card, and my voter registration card.
He looked them over, asked some basic questions and then explained how the probationary license worked. He also gave me forms showing the points system and how to fill out a form if I wanted to add a new car, request additional or different driving hours, renew the probationary license, etc. The whole process took about 10 minutes.
I was then giving a camera card, as well as a paper that was attached to the top - which I would have to keep and show law enforcement if stopped. It just showed the vehicle I was allowed to drive and the hours allowed to drive. The default hours are 6 am to 7 pm, which work great for me.
He then led me to the desk where people would pick up a paper ticket with a number to get their picture taken. I was number 105 and at the time the three numbers at the camera stations were 70, 71, and 72. I had a little bit of a wait.
After about an hour of waiting I had my new probationary license for the state of Pennsylvania. I was truly excited. I finally got home and couldn't wait to take a drive for the first time in nearly 8 years.
Of course something had to go wrong, the day was going too smoothly. I had a flat tire. So another hour later and I was out the door. I cruised through the countryside and finally stopped at a local mini mart.
I had to play the Powerball. After all, this 20 year old truck I'm allowed to drive might not make it a full year.
Feel free to comment or ask any questions. The reason I wrote this was I couldn't find much information on the process of getting a probationary license in Pennsylvania and how it worked. So, I hope this helped you or maybe someone you know.
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17 comments:
Thanks for posting this. I have a departmental review in a few days and I'm dieing to know what actually happens there. I too have been off the road for over 7 years -obeying my suspension after it was apparent that if I kept driving illegally I'd never get my license back.
Thanks for reading. That is the reason I posted this. I couldn't find anything on the web about how a departmental review for a probationary license worked or what the time frame was from the submission of the initial form to actually getting a Pennsylvania probationary license.
Thanks for the post. Any idea if I have moved out of the state if I can get a probationary license or do I have to move back to pennsylvania.
Hi! Suzie. In order to obtain a probationary license in Pennsylvania you must be a resident. So yes you would have to live in Pennsylvania.
If you live in another state try to contact their DMV and ask them what you have to do to get your license back.
Good luck.
Thanks so much for sharing this information. I have been searching online for some info on DUI in Pennsylvania and this post really helped. I'm helping my brother find this info so I'll send this along to him.
Glad you found the information useful. I wrote it because I could not find any info on how the probationary license in Pennsylvania working concerning the forms,rules,and procedure for getting the Probationary License.
I was wondering if I qualify my license ha been suspended since jan 2010, and in won't be done until dec 2016. I'm only being credited with suspension time from dec 2012 because they never received my suspended license or the form stating I don't have it. My suspension is for driving while under suspension in 2010, and again in 2011. I was then convicted in dec of 2013 of DUI and possesion if controlled substance.
i don't think you will qualify tony. if your suspension or revocation involves dui or driving under suspension - dui related you will need to wait 7 years to apply. so you will need to wait it out until dec 2016. some people can get a probationary license in 2 or 3 years if their suspension or revocation had to do with speeding, illegal racing, etc.
anyway, hang in there and do your best not to drive so you don't get more suspensions.
So, with a 3rd dui I lose for 18 months, and revoked or 5 years. Someone with more duis can get a probationary license 6 months after I get mine back? That is some bs there. I think that this should be decided on in court. I was accepted into DUI court which requires strict adherance and maintaining sobriety.I'm sorry but it does not add up.
Yes. I can see your point. Feel free to contact PennDOT for more info.
On my restoration requirements letter it says that my suspension/revocation term started Oct/2014 but my last my violation was July/2012. I have over 8 violations so I would have to serve atleast 4 yrs of my suspension term in order to be eligible. Due to my last violation I have over 4 years of no violations but I only served a little under 2 hrs of my suspension term. Am I eligible? A lawyers said I was but I think he is trying to hustle me.
My license was suspended till 2034. Was sentenced to jail in 2010, got out in 2017, so for the first time since 1982 I went more than a year without a Driving Under Suspension, it was actually 7, enough clean time to apply. I applied, and have been driving legally for the first time in 35 years! I have changed the approved hours, no problems! Life has gotten much better.
I got a letter that says I have to have the court prove that I served my jail time, that has been done. It did not check off that I have to have all of my fines paid. Does anyone know if that is a requirement?
Just got the interlock installed...you detailed really well. Did u get a probationary license or IIL? I have the PL and looking to see if the 7 PM curfew continues when interlock comes out after 1 year? I am going to see if my employer could me a letter to get it changed....not working for me.
Did you have to get a permit before
P l ?
Did you have to get a permit before
P l ?
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