Pennsylvania DMV Numbers Cheat Sheet: Every Number You Need to Memorize
DMV IQ Editorial Team · Published November 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Checked against the handbook: 2024-2025 edition. Values below come from the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) published by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which we host as a free PDF on this site. Nothing comes from a driving school, a forum or another prep site.
The Pennsylvania written test is full of numbers: how far, how fast, how old, how long, how much. This page puts 53 of them in one place, grouped into 13 sections. The biggest sections are following, passing and safety distances (15), speed limits and speed rules (8), and signals and turns (6).
A few you will meet early:
Blood alcohol level that counts as DUI for a driver under 21: .02% BAC or higher
Passengers under 18 a junior license holder may carry after the first 6 months: 3 passengers under 18
Minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead: 4 seconds
We started from our own Pennsylvania question bank, not from a generic list, so every row is a number our questions actually test. We then took the bank's answer out of the picture and read the figure in the handbook itself. If the handbook does not state a number, it is not on this sheet, even when a question tests it. In 1 place our question bank and the handbook differed. Those rows are flagged and show the handbook value.
Pennsylvania · Numbers reference
Every number the Pennsylvania written test can ask you for, in one place, taken from the official driver handbook and built to print.
Passengers under 18 a junior license holder may carry after the first 6 monthsJunior driver's license, not counting immediate family; the limit is 1 during the first 6 months and the higher limit does not apply to a junior driver who has had a crash they were responsible for or any driving conviction
02
Speed limits and speed rules
8 numbers
Speed limits and speed rules, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
15 mph
School zone speed limit when the lights are flashingWhen the school zone sign lights are flashing or during the time period shown on the signOur question bank and the state handbook disagree here. The handbook value is published.
70 mph
Highest speed limit anywhere in PennsylvaniaWhere posted; the handbook does not name the Turnpike specifically
As low as 35 mph, in 1/10 inch of water
Speed at which you can start to hydroplaneWorn tires make it worse
5 to 10 mph slower
How much to slow down on wet roadsReduce below your normal speed; slow down even more on ice or snow
Cut your speed by half
How much to slow down on packed snowOn ice, slow to a crawl
45 mph
Fastest you should drive at night so you do not overdrive low beamsLow beams light only about 250 feet ahead on a dark road
35 mph
Maximum speed of an open-bed pickup while a person rides in the bedApplies if any person occupies the bed; no child under 18 may ride in the bed
Under 25 mph, ideally near 10 mph
Speed to slow to before steering back after drifting off the pavementRight wheels off the pavement onto the shoulder
03
Following, passing and safety distances
15 numbers
Following, passing and safety distances, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
4 seconds
Minimum following distance behind the vehicle aheadNormal conditions; fewer than 4 seconds means you are following too closely
5 or 6 seconds
Following distance on wet roadsWet or slippery roads
About 10 times the normal space
Space to leave ahead on ice or snow-covered roadsOn ice or snow-covered roads
Double your following distance
Following distance in a work zoneAlso do not use cruise control in work zones
12 to 15 seconds ahead
How far ahead to look for problemsabout one block in the city
1/4 mile
Clear road needed to pass a slower vehicle on a two-lane road at 45 mphYou also need to be going about 10 mph faster than the vehicle you pass
Within 100 feet
Do not pass within this distance of an intersection or railroad crossingUnless an official traffic control device says you may
Within 100 feet
Do not pass within this distance of a bridge, elevated structure or tunnel
500 feet
Switch to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is withinPennsylvania law requires low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle
300 feet
Switch to low beams when following a vehicle withinFollowing another vehicle at night
At least 4 feet
Minimum space when passing a bicyclistYou may cross the center double yellow line to keep the 4 feet if it is safe
At least 500 feet
Distance to keep from an emergency vehicle that has passed youAfter pulling over and the emergency vehicle passes, keep this distance from it
At least 10 feet
Distance to stop from a school bus with red lights flashing and stop arm outBehind it, coming toward it, or at an intersection where it is stopped
At least 600 feet
Minimum stopping distance of a loaded truck at 65 mphClear, dry road; compare 400 feet for a passenger vehicle
12 inches
Depth of moving water that can float many carsSix inches can cause loss of control or stalling; two feet of moving water can move most SUVs and pickups
04
Parking distances
5 numbers
Parking distances, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
No more than 12 inches
Farthest you may park from the curbIf there is no curb, pull as far off the roadway as possible
Within 15 feet
Do not park within this distance of a fire hydrant
Within 30 feet
Do not park within this distance of a stop sign, yield sign or flashing signal at the roadsideAlso applies to other traffic control devices located at the side of a roadway
Within 20 feet
Do not park within this distance of a driveway entrance to a fire station
Within 50 feet
Do not park within this distance of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing
05
Signals and turns
6 numbers
Signals and turns, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
100 feet
Distance to signal before turning when driving under 35 mphDriving less than 35 mph
300 feet
Distance to signal before turning when driving 35 mph or moreDriving 35 mph or faster
3 to 4 seconds
How early to signal before a turn (also before entering a center left-turn lane)The handbook gives the same 3 to 4 seconds for turning and for entering a center left-turn lane
About 8 seconds
Gap to allow when turning right, from traffic approaching from the leftLook left, straight ahead, right and left again first
9 seconds
Gap to allow when turning left from a minor street onto a major streetGap from any vehicle approaching from the right
At least 500 feet
Distance other drivers must be from you before you make a U-turnDrivers coming from all directions, and they must be able to see you
06
Seat belts and child seats
4 numbers
Seat belts and child seats, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
Younger than age 2
Children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least this ageUntil the child outgrows the car seat maker's weight or height limit
Ages 4 to under 8
Ages that must ride in a booster seatUsed with a lap and shoulder belt, front or back seat
Ages 12 and under
Ages the handbook recommends ride in the rear seatA recommendation, not a law
At least 10 inches
Minimum distance to keep between you and the steering wheel air bagDriver seat as far back as practical
07
Driving position
1 number
Driving position, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
9 and 3 o'clock, or 8 and 4 o'clock
Safest hand positions on the steering wheelWhichever is more comfortable; keep thumbs along the face of the wheel
08
Alcohol (BAC) limits
2 numbers
Alcohol (BAC) limits, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
.02% BAC or higher
Blood alcohol level that counts as DUI for a driver under 21Under age 21; zero tolerance. Age 21 and over is .08
About 1 hour per drink
Time the body needs to process one drinkAverage-weight person; the handbook says do not drink more than one drink per hour, and it does not work the same for everybody
09
Points for specific offenses
2 numbers
Points for specific offenses, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
5 points
Points for failing to stop for a school bus with red lights flashingAlso a 60-day suspension and a fine
2 points and a fine of up to $250
Points for driving around or through a sign closing a road due to hazardous conditionsFine rises to up to $500 if emergency responders are called out
10
Point system thresholds
2 numbers
Point system thresholds, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
6 points
Points that trigger a suspension for a driver under 18Results in a mandatory 90-day suspension (first time); also triggered by driving 26 mph or more over the limit; later occurrences are 120 days
12 consecutive months
Months at zero points before your record resetsOnce at zero for 12 months, further points count as a first accumulation
11
Suspensions and DUI penalties
3 numbers
Suspensions and DUI penalties, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
60 days
Suspension for failing to stop for a school bus with red lights flashingAlso 5 points and a fine
1 year
License suspension for refusing a chemical test12 months. First refusal; longer with a prior DUI or refusal, and in addition to any DUI suspension
3 days to 6 months in prison
Jail term for a first DUI at the highest rate of impairment (.16 and up)First offense, BAC .16 and up. The license is suspended 12 months with a 1 year ignition interlock requirement
12
Fines
3 numbers
Fines, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
Up to $500
Fine for failing to move over or slow down (first offense)Summary offense; $1,000 for a second and $2,000 for a third or later offense
$200 to $1,000 per offense
Fine when snow or ice falls from your vehicle and causes death or serious injuryStrikes another vehicle or pedestrian
$25 additional fine
Extra fine for not having headlights on in a work zoneApplies when pulled over for a traffic violation in a work zone with headlights off; headlights are required in all posted work zones
13
Reporting deadlines
1 number
Reporting deadlines, Pennsylvania
Value
Rule
Within 15 days
Time to notify PennDOT of a name or address changeEven if moving out of state
Print it (the button above gives a clean one or two page version) or filter it on screen. Do not try to memorize the whole list in one go. Pick one section, say it out loud, then answer practice questions on that topic until the numbers stick.
What this sheet leaves out
The handbook is a summary of the law, not the law itself. Fines, court costs and fees change, and some are set by statute rather than printed in the handbook. We only list what the handbook (or, where marked, the statute) states, so check the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for anything that decides a real case. The handbook edition used here is 2024-2025; the numbers were last checked against it on November 7, 2026.
