How many points is a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania?

6–10 mph over = 2 points. 11–15 = 3 points. 16–25 = 4 points. 26–30 = 5 points. 31+ = 5 points plus a mandatory PennDOT departmental hearing under § 1538(a), where the examiner may impose up to a 15-day suspension. An automatic 15-day suspension under § 1535(e) is reserved for speeding convictions in an active work zone (§ 3326.1); school-zone and work-zone speeding also carry doubled fines.

Will a PA speeding ticket raise my insurance?

Almost always — even a single 3-point citation typically raises rates for 3 years. That's often more than the ticket itself. Fighting the ticket down to a non-point offense usually prevents the surcharge from ever hitting.

Can I beat a radar speeding ticket in PA?

Yes, and often. Pennsylvania only allows radar and lidar operated by the State Police (municipalities are stuck with VASCAR, ENRADD, and pacing). Calibration certificates, officer training records, and the exact equipment used are all discoverable — and mistakes are common.

Do I have to appear in court for a PA speeding ticket?

You can plead not guilty and request a summary trial in front of the magisterial district judge. In many cases we can appear on your behalf, negotiate with the officer before the hearing, or resolve the case entirely by mail.

Where is the Dauphin County traffic court?

Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas — Dauphin County Courthouse, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg. The initial hearing is at the MDJ covering your citation location, then summary appeals move to Market Street.

Speeding & Radar Defense · Dauphin County, PA

Speeding Ticket Lawyer in Dauphin County.

A speeding citation in Dauphin County is not just a fine — points on your PA record, insurance surcharges, and, for 26+ mph over, a PennDOT suspension and CDL disqualification. We defend speeding tickets in every Dauphin County-area magisterial district court.

(717) 724-7503 Schedule a consultation

Dauphin County · Speeding Ticket

Why Dauphin County speeding ticket cases are different.

Dauphin County is Pennsylvania's capital county — Harrisburg, Hershey, Hummelstown, Middletown, Steelton, Lower Paxton, Susquehanna Township, Derry Township, and the I-83/I-81/Route 322/Route 422 interchange generate one of the highest traffic-citation volumes in Central PA. State Police Troop H is headquartered here.

Dauphin County combines aggressive city policing, large township traffic units, and PA State Police Troop H. Speed enforcement is concentrated on I-83, I-81, Route 322, and Route 422, plus downtown Harrisburg corridors.

Statute: 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3361–3368. Points, insurance surcharges, and — for 26+ mph over — a possible suspension and CDL disqualification.

(717) 724-7503 Free consultation

Court & jurisdiction

Dauphin County traffic citations run through the MDJ for the arrest location, with summary appeals filed at the Dauphin County Courthouse on Market Street, Harrisburg.

From Dauphin County

Our Camp Hill office is less than 4 miles from the Dauphin County Courthouse — across the Susquehanna and a quick drive to any MDJ in the county.

3425 Simpson Ferry Rd, Suite 100, Camp Hill, PA 17011

How we defend speeding ticket cases in Dauphin County.

Challenge radar & lidar calibration
PA law requires station-approved radar/lidar with current calibration certificates. Missing or stale calibration = motion to dismiss.
Attack VASCAR & pacing
VASCAR requires officer certification and a measured course. Pacing needs a documented pacing distance — often not in the citation packet.
Reduce 6-point speeds to non-point
31+ mph over is 5 points; 26–30 is 4 points; 16–25 is 3. We routinely negotiate reductions to §3111 obedience to traffic control (2 points) or a non-point equipment offense.
Protect CDL holders
15+ mph over is a federal 'serious traffic violation' under 49 CFR §383.51. Two in 3 years = 60-day CDL disqualification even in a personal vehicle.
Fight construction & school-zone doublers
Fines double in active work zones (§3365) and school zones. Prosecution must prove the zone was active — that fails more often than you'd expect.
Trial by MDJ, not plea by mail
Officers don't always show. When they do, cross-examination on training records and equipment logs often shifts the negotiation.

Related reading for Dauphin County drivers

More Dauphin County traffic defense.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Common questions about speeding ticket in Dauphin County, PA — courts, points, penalties, and defense.

Dauphin County traffic citations run through the MDJ for the arrest location, with summary appeals filed at the Dauphin County Courthouse on Market Street, Harrisburg.

Dauphin County case review

Request a consultation for your Dauphin County speeding ticket case.

Tell us what happened — the officer, the court, the charge. Attorney Quinlan personally reviews every Dauphin County traffic inquiry and usually calls back the same day.

Prefer to talk now? (717) 724-7503

Free Consultation

The sooner we talk, the more we can do.

Every hour matters in a DUI or criminal case. Call directly and speak with Attorney Quinlan — not an intake desk.