Losing your privilege to drive is a serious consequence of conviction of certain offenses. This can affect your entire life from social outings to your ability to get to work. The State of Pennsylvania suspends drivers’ licenses for several serious offenses, many of which occur behind the wheel.

The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code generally provides for license suspensions for offenses related to driving. Unlike many other states, where other types of felonies may rob you of your license, it is somewhat more limited here. Generally, your license may be suspended if you commit a serious violation of the law that involves your use of a car.

Here are 10 common reasons you could lose your license and how long suspensions can last:

• Felony involving a vehicle —This may include nearly any felony, even if it is unrelated to driving, such as burglary. A suspension can last for up to one year.
• Causing death or serious injury — Loss of license for up to one year can result when an accident results in a death or serious harm.
• Driving a stolen vehicle — Suspension can occur if you stole the vehicle or you drove a vehicle you knew or should have known was stolen.
• Driving under the influence — A Pennsylvania DUI conviction can result from impairment due to alcohol, drugs or both. It can result in a three-year suspension for a first offense and license revocation for subsequent offenses.
• Careless driving — This means disregard for the safety of others on the road, by such actions as excessive speeding or swerving across lanes. A conviction can bring a one-year license suspension.
• Reckless driving — Reckless driving occurs when a person drives with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. It can result in up to a three-year suspension of your driver’s license.
• Accident while driving without a valid license — If your driver’s license was suspended or revoked and you get into an accident, you could lose your license for up to three more years depending on the facts of your case.
• Highway racing — Pennsylvania greatly discourages highway racing, which is considered a type of reckless driving. You could lose your license for up to three years for this activity.
• Driving under suspension — If you ignore a court-ordered suspension of your license and drive anyway, you could get your license suspended for up to three more years.
• Evading arrest — If you use a car to escape arrest, you could lose your drivers’ license for three years in addition to the other penalties you could face.

Matthew R. Zatko, Attorney at Law in Somerset, Pennsylvania provides zealous defense of drivers charged with vehicle offenses and facing license suspensions. Contact us online or call 814-443-1631 for a consultation on your case.