Pennsylvania
Careless & Reckless Driving Lawyer in Pennsylvania
Careless or reckless driving is one of the most serious moving violations — in many states it is a misdemeanor with jail exposure. An attorney can often negotiate it down to a simple infraction that protects your record.
Talk to us before you pay that ticket
Charges like this one start with a short call. A licensed Pennsylvania attorney reviews your case and explains your options before you pay anything.
Request a free consultation- Win rate
- 98%
- Drivers helped
- 5,000+
- Saved for drivers
- $7M+
- Avg. insurance savings
- $1,422
How it works
Three steps from ticket to result.
- STEP 01
Share your ticket
Upload your citation and basic details in minutes.
- STEP 02
An attorney takes over
A licensed attorney files with the court and negotiates on your behalf.
- STEP 03
Get updates until it's done
We keep you posted at every step — most cases end with a reduced or dismissed charge.
Why it matters in Pennsylvania
What a careless & reckless driving costs in Pennsylvania
- Typical fine
- $200 fine plus costs
- License points
- No points for reckless — but a 6-month license suspension; careless driving carries 3 points
- Insurance impact
- A reckless driving conviction is a red flag that commonly drives 25%+ premium increases or non-renewal.
- License risk
- Reckless driving under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3736 is a summary offense with a mandatory 6-month license suspension.
Frequently asked questions
What's the real penalty for reckless driving in Pennsylvania?
The fine is only $200, but the sting is the mandatory 6-month license suspension that follows a § 3736 conviction. That suspension — not the fine — is why these charges get fought.
Can reckless be reduced to careless driving?
That's the classic negotiated outcome: careless driving under § 3714 carries 3 points and no suspension. Reckless requires proof of willful or wanton disregard, a high bar prosecutors often can't clear, which gives your attorney leverage.
Was I charged with reckless just because of an accident?
It happens frequently — but an accident alone doesn't prove willful disregard for safety. Attorneys in our network challenge exactly that gap between what happened and what the statute requires.
Is reckless driving a criminal record in PA?
It's a summary offense rather than a misdemeanor, but it still appears on background checks until expunged. Keeping it off your record entirely is the better outcome.
Talk to us before you pay that ticket
Tell us about your case and we'll connect you with a licensed attorney who can evaluate your options — no obligation.
Request a free consultation