Special Point Examination - Driver’s Handbook - Pub. 248 (1-04)

Sep 18, 2026

Driver’s Handbook Special Point Examination explains why Pennsylvania drivers convicted of Vehicle Code violations with six or more points must take and pass a written exam to retain a license. It describes two question types: knowledge of safe driving laws and practices, and judgment in everyday traffic accident situations. It outlines the point system, DUI-related penalties, effects of alcohol/drugs/medications, seat belt safety, and key traffic issues, plus how the study guide accident scenarios are evaluated for safe versus unsafe decisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

The Examination Requirement

Study Guide and Sample Test Items

Part 1: Pennsylvania Safe Driving Laws and Practices

Part 2: Avoiding Accidents Through Safe Driving Decisions

General Examination Information

How to Make Your Examination Appointment

American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Procedures for Taking the Examination

Scoring of Examination Results

Special Point Examination Driver’s Handbook Pub. 248 (1-04) Table of Contents The Examination Requirement..................................... 1 Study Guide and Sample Test Items................................ 3 Part 1: Pennsylvania Safe Driving Laws and Practices ......................... 3 Part 2: Avoiding Accidents Through Safe Driving Decisions .................... 10 General Examination Information ................................ 20 How to Make Your Examination Appointment ............................... 20 Americanʼs with Disabilities Act (ADA) .................................... 20 Procedures for Taking the Examination ................................... 21 Scoring of Examination Results......................................... 21 AVISO: Para obtener este manual en Español, telefonee 1-800-932-4600 i The Examination Requirement As a driver who has been convicted of violations of Pennsylvaniaʼs Vehicle Code resulting in six or more points on your driving record, you must take and pass a written test to keep your driverʼs license. The test will have two kinds of questions. The first kind will test what you know about safe driving laws and safe driving practices. The second kind will test your judgment in making safe or unsafe driver decisions in everyday traffic situations where accidents are likely to happen. For the questions about Pennsylvaniaʼs safe driving laws and safe driving practices you will need to know: • How the point system works in Pennsylvania. • Laws and penalties for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. • Effects of alcohol, drugs and medication on your driving skills. • Facts about seat belt safety. • Other key traffic safety issues. You will find all the information that you need to know and sample test questions in the Study Guide part of this Handbook. Learn the information in detail. On the test, you will be asked to answer “True” or “False” to information given in this section. For the part of the exam that will test your judgement as a driver about safe versus unsafe driving decisions, you will need to study examples of “accident situations” in the Study Guide. Keep in mind: • Accidents donʼt “Just Happen.” • Every driver makes choices. • Every driver is responsible for his or her decisions. The “accident situations” in the Study Guide are taken from reports of real accidents. Drivers made unsafe choices. Different choices might have saved people from injury, death, or property loss. Different choices might also save drivers from high insurance rates and the cost of high repair bills. In each example on an “accident situation, ” you will see a number of diagrams. They will show traffic conditions, vehicle movements, and traffic signs and signals in the area of the accident. A description of what happened is under each diagram. Look at all of the diagrams and read all of the descriptions in each “accident situation.” 1 Use your judgment to decide: (1) How did each driver act unsafely? (2) Where was the “critical decision point” before each unsafe act? (3) What other choices could each driver have made at that “critical decision point?” Then answer “True” or “False” to statements about the driversʼ decisions, actions, and responsibilities for causing the accident. The example questions in the Study Guide will be similar to—but not exactly the same as—the questions on the test. The questions about safe driving laws, procedures and practices will count for about 1/3 of the total score. The “accident situations” part of the test which shows your ability to recognize unsafe driver decisions will count for about 2/3 of the total score. There will be 20 questions on the examination. If you fail the exam, you must retake it and pass it to keep your driverʼs license. You may not take the exam again on the same day. PENNDOT wants you to succeed on this test. Passing this test will show that you know the diffe

FAQs

Who must take the Special Point Examination in Pennsylvania?

Drivers convicted of Pennsylvania Vehicle Code violations that result in six or more points on their driving record must take and pass a written test to keep a driver’s license.

What are the two types of questions on the exam?

One part tests knowledge of safe driving laws and safe driving practices. The second part tests judgment by presenting everyday traffic “accident situations” where accidents are likely to happen.

How is the exam score distributed between the two sections?

Questions on safe driving laws, procedures, and practices count for about one-third of the total score, while the accident-situation judgment section counts for about two-thirds of the total score.

Sep 18, 2026

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