Probationary License Calculation Policy
We've been helping Pennsylvania drivers with extensive history qualify for the PA Probationary License for over 18 years. I can safely say my team knows every detail about this limited license option and we're good at catching and prevent mistakes and errors that cause a PL denial. A Probationary License can be a bit more tricky than a normal driver's license application in Pennsylvania. There are a number of calculations that need to be made to determine if and when you would qualify - and PennDOT refuses to tell drivers any details other than the standard "You can apply to find out" line.PennDOT Changing Policy on Probationary License
This week we encountered a new issue....the changing internal policy. All these years PennDOT did not count certain violations toward your total number of violations as part of determining your minimum suspension. Two of those violations are the drug charge (13a31) and the old vehicle code DUI (3731) - so anytime those violations were on your driving record they did not count toward the minimum suspension. Until this week. Now we're being told these two violations do count - and when they cause a driver to cross into a new tier of active term suspensions, this driver must wait additional time.
We have a client who submitted an application for a Probationary License based on the policy that has been in place for more than 10 years, and this driver was told they must wait an additional year.
No Recourse For Improperly Calculated Probationary License
There have been dozens of PL applications completed and PL licenses issued based on the prior policy. There are drivers who are waiting to apply for the PL as their last resort who may believe they are eligible - only to find out they must wait longer and they have no recourse.
The standard procedure would have been to request an Administrative Hearing and ask a hearing officer to clarify the calculations used to determine the eligibility date. We were told that PennDOT will not assign a hearing because technically our client's Probationary License application was not denied. The client was only told they must wait longer to apply and be granted the limited license. More ridiculous behavior from PennDOT - building barriers to customer service and continuing to believe that keeping people suspended prolongs their usefulness.
Don't Be Afraid To Get Help - Especially with the Probationary License
Because of these shifting sands of PennDOT policy - and changing staff with different views and absolute power, don't hesitate to get help when applying or petitioning PennDOT. The years of experience and research mean that there are none better at understanding the details that make a difference between driving and remaining suspended.
Contact Me.
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