In Pennsylvania, many motor vehicle offenses result in a driver's license suspension that isn't immediately apparent to the driver. One such offense is driving a vehicle with a suspended registration. Vehicle registration can be suspended for 3 reasons - lapse in insurance coverage, as the result of a citation or accident, or because of unpaid Turnpike tolls. Most suspensions are for 3 months. Appeals of a PennDot license suspension must be filed within 30 days of the date that the suspension notice is mailed. The appeal is heard by the Court of Common Pleas. Registration suspension can often be ended immediately by providing proof of insurance coverage and paying a large fine. Once a vehicle's registration is suspended, if the car is driven by the owner, or with permission of the owner, the owner can be charged with violating 75 Pa. C.S. 1371. The criminal penalty for this offense is only a fine of $100 - $500 and it is handled in front of a Magisterial District Judge. But, a conviction will result in a separate and automatic 3-month driver's license suspension by PennDot. This may be an unexpected consequence for many people who have pled guilty to the traffic ticket.
