Driver's License Suspension Was Not Credited Due to Failure to File Paperwork

[gaston85]

My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: Pennsylvania

In December of 2006, I exceeded the allotted points on my PA license by getting into an accident that was my fault. My license was suspended pending completion of a defensive driving test. I went into the DMV and completed the test. An official graded the test on the spot and informed me that I had passed. I asked if I was good to go and he said that I was. Turns out, I needed to pay a 20 or 25 dollar fine. I was never told that. 8 months later, I hit black ice and was in an accident. I was ticketed for driving on a suspended license. I license that I didn't even know was suspended. Anyhow, I fought the ticket and lost. My sentence: 1 year suspension. I didn't drive for 1 year plus. After a year I got a license in Iowa and have had one here for four years. I misplaced my license and went in to replace it. They told me that the NDR had a hit on my name in PA. Now they are trying to tell me that I haven't served my suspension because I failed to fill out some paperwork! I never filled out paperwork the first time, yet I was under a suspension. This is so stupid! Can anyone help me?

[vincedia]

It sounds like you never acknowledged your suspension by surrendering your driver's license to PennDOT. Somehow you slipped through the cracks when you got your Iowa license, and you were driving on that legally for 4 years, but the clock had not started toward your Pennsylvania suspension time.

You have a few choices.

First you can send in the DL-16 form and start your suspension time, then after the year is served, renew your Iowa license. If you choose this opotion you need to make sure you send that DL-16 to PennDOT by certified mail so someone needs to sign for it and you know the clock has started...don't just assume this time!

Or, you could try to fight to get credit granted from 4 years ago. This would eliminate the remaining suspension time and get your driving again sooner than the one year you have remaining. This process is not easy, and you will need to get help correcting the credit date with PennDOT. Search these forums, there are a number of examples of people in the same exact situation, and we have outlined options in those situations.

Good Luck!
Vince