Special Points Exam PA Questions and Correct
Answers
How does one end up having to take the special points exam?
~~~ earning 6 or more points for the first time
How long does one have to pass the SP exam?
~~~ within 30 days of your notification letter.
What is PennDOT's goal?
~~~ To help you improve your driving and avoid future violations.
What information do I need to take to the exam?
~~~ Notification letter and driver's license.
What are the three kinds of sanctions imposed by PennDOT?
~~~ exams, hearings, and suspensions
What is a sanction?
~~~ A penalty threatened for breaking the law.
True or False: PennDOT can change penalties in extreme cases, if petitioned in
writing.
~~~ FALSE. PennDOT cannot change penalties.
True or False: PennDOT maintains records only for drivers convicted of violations in
PA who are PA residents.
~~~ FALSE. PennDOT keeps records on ALL drivers convicted of
violations in PA, whether or not they're licensed drivers in PA.
What is the most common violation for folks who must take the Special Points
Exam?
~~~ Speeding; most people have earned two 3-point violations.
Speeding violations earn how many points for a driver?
~~~ between 2 to 5 points, depending on the number of mph traveled
above the posted speed limit.
Traveling 6 to 10 miles above the posted speed limit can earn the driver how many
points?
~~~ 2 points
Traveling 11 to 15 miles above the posted speed limit can earn the driver how many
points?
~~~ 3 points
, Traveling 16 to 20 miles above the posted speed limit can earn the driver how many
points?
~~~ 4 points
Traveling 21 or more miles above the posted speed limit can earn the driver how
many points?
~~~ 5 points
How many points for failure to stop for a red light or stop sign?
~~~ 3 points
How many points for driving too fast for conditions?
~~~ 2 points
How many points for improper passing?
~~~ 3 points
How many points for failure to yield?
~~~ 3 points
What will happen if a driver is required to take the SPE, but fails to do so within 30
days? Then what if s/he STILL doesn't take the exam?
~~~ PennDOT will send them a letter specifying that in 30 days, their
driving privilege will be suspended. Failure to do so after that, their
license will be suspended until they take and pass the exam, and also
pay a restoration fee.
What are the two types of exams used by PennDOT as sanctions?
~~~ Special Points Exam and Special On-Road Driver's Exam.
What happens if a driver's privileges are suspended, and she is convicted of driving
anyway?
~~~ one year suspension
What are the benefits of passing the SPE exam within 30 days of one's notification
letter?
~~~ 2 points will be deducted from their driving record.
What two reasons could cause a person to have to take the Special On-Road
Driver's Examination?
~~~ (a) driver's record goes down below 6 points, then rises above 6
points again. (b) driver is convicted of a high speed violation.
What is a departmental hearing?
~~~ A sanction in which a driver must meet with a PennDOT examiner;
PennDOT notifies the driver that s/he must arrive on a specific date, at a
specified time and location.
Answers
How does one end up having to take the special points exam?
~~~ earning 6 or more points for the first time
How long does one have to pass the SP exam?
~~~ within 30 days of your notification letter.
What is PennDOT's goal?
~~~ To help you improve your driving and avoid future violations.
What information do I need to take to the exam?
~~~ Notification letter and driver's license.
What are the three kinds of sanctions imposed by PennDOT?
~~~ exams, hearings, and suspensions
What is a sanction?
~~~ A penalty threatened for breaking the law.
True or False: PennDOT can change penalties in extreme cases, if petitioned in
writing.
~~~ FALSE. PennDOT cannot change penalties.
True or False: PennDOT maintains records only for drivers convicted of violations in
PA who are PA residents.
~~~ FALSE. PennDOT keeps records on ALL drivers convicted of
violations in PA, whether or not they're licensed drivers in PA.
What is the most common violation for folks who must take the Special Points
Exam?
~~~ Speeding; most people have earned two 3-point violations.
Speeding violations earn how many points for a driver?
~~~ between 2 to 5 points, depending on the number of mph traveled
above the posted speed limit.
Traveling 6 to 10 miles above the posted speed limit can earn the driver how many
points?
~~~ 2 points
Traveling 11 to 15 miles above the posted speed limit can earn the driver how many
points?
~~~ 3 points
, Traveling 16 to 20 miles above the posted speed limit can earn the driver how many
points?
~~~ 4 points
Traveling 21 or more miles above the posted speed limit can earn the driver how
many points?
~~~ 5 points
How many points for failure to stop for a red light or stop sign?
~~~ 3 points
How many points for driving too fast for conditions?
~~~ 2 points
How many points for improper passing?
~~~ 3 points
How many points for failure to yield?
~~~ 3 points
What will happen if a driver is required to take the SPE, but fails to do so within 30
days? Then what if s/he STILL doesn't take the exam?
~~~ PennDOT will send them a letter specifying that in 30 days, their
driving privilege will be suspended. Failure to do so after that, their
license will be suspended until they take and pass the exam, and also
pay a restoration fee.
What are the two types of exams used by PennDOT as sanctions?
~~~ Special Points Exam and Special On-Road Driver's Exam.
What happens if a driver's privileges are suspended, and she is convicted of driving
anyway?
~~~ one year suspension
What are the benefits of passing the SPE exam within 30 days of one's notification
letter?
~~~ 2 points will be deducted from their driving record.
What two reasons could cause a person to have to take the Special On-Road
Driver's Examination?
~~~ (a) driver's record goes down below 6 points, then rises above 6
points again. (b) driver is convicted of a high speed violation.
What is a departmental hearing?
~~~ A sanction in which a driver must meet with a PennDOT examiner;
PennDOT notifies the driver that s/he must arrive on a specific date, at a
specified time and location.
