Statute of limitations

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I was on the phone today with Harrisburg concerning someone getting their license back.
We were told he is suspended until 2009. His most recent violation goes back to 1991. She said there were 2 driving citations in that year that are showing up on his record.
She also said there were a few from 1986 and also 1977.

I think the 1991 and 1986 fines were paid, but I don't have receipts. She is sending out a letter with the list of them and the phone numbers to contact whatever township they originated in.

She said since his last incident was in 1991, that although he is suspended until 2009, there is a special license he can get which would allow him to drive from 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

This would be good until 2009 she said.

She said that the citations that are showing up from 77, 86 and 91 have to be cleared off either by paying them if they were never paid, or possibly the ones from 77 and 86 would not have to be paid since they could qualify to be dropped off under the statute of limitations.

Can someone tell me more about this?

I know I don't have receipts for the 1986 and 1991 incidents, although I do believe we paid them off. But if not, is she right about the statute of limitations? If so, what should I say when I call about them?
As far as the ones from 1977, I think they were NOT paid, but I'm not sure. The person in question does not remember if he paid them or not.

This is the first I heard about a person being able to get this
special license that would allow driving from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If this is so, are those hours able to be changed at all?
Suppose one had a job where he worked until 11 p.m.?

Thanks,
Summer

[Bravo8]

There is no hour-restricted driver's license. There is an Occupational Limited License, that allows the person to legally drive to/from work, and in the course of their employment.

[lwpat]

I have never heard of anyone getting their license suspended for eighteen years. Did he run over and kill the governor?

There is no statute of limitations on fines. Clerks make mistakes all the time so if he cannot prove he paid them then you are probably out of luck. You can try to talk to the judge and might get some help but it is unlikely.

What you need to do is to order an official copy of his motor vehicle report from the DMV and see exactly what is showing. This "list" you are supposed to get may not be what you really need.

Originally posted by lwpat
I have never heard of anyone getting their license suspended for eighteen years. Did he run over and kill the governor?

I wouldnt be suprised if there is a dui thrown in there.

The reason it was suspended for so long is because in the beginning of the suspension, he continued to drive and get caught. Every time he got caught , they added years to it.
That's how it ended up being suspended until 2009.
THe actual term the woman used for the special license was
"probationary". She quoated those hours to me and said as long as the fines are paid, he could have this license until 2009 at which time he would get his regular one back as long as he got in no further trouble.

I looked up info on the license with restricted hours and this is what I found:

Q: WHAT IS A PROBATIONARY LICENSE?

A: A Probationary License (PL) is a Class C (Non-Commercial) driver’s license issued once in a lifetime to an individual whose Pennsylvania driving privilege has been suspended or revoked for five or more years. This license authorizes driving a non-commercial vehicle between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm. The Department will consider additional hours upon request. A PL cannot be used to drive a commercial vehicle, motorcycle or moped.

Q: Can anybody who is suspended qualify?

A: No. To qualify for a PL, you must have served and consecutively earned credit toward a portion of your suspension/revocation period and your driving record must be free of driving offenses to demonstrate that you have not driven during the minimum period of suspension/revocation. This minimum period (from 3 to 6 years) is determined by the number of violations that caused the current suspension/revocation of your driving privilege. In addition, any outstanding citations, judgments, examinations or hearings must first be satisfied. A person who has not surrendered a driver’s license or affidavit (DL-16 Form) will not receive credit for past suspension time.

Q: HOW MUCH OF MY SUSPENSION/REVOCATION TERM MUST I SERVE BEFORE I AM ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

A: Generally, a person with 1 to 7 violations must have earned credit for at least a 3 year term of suspension or revocation; 8 to 14 violations require that credit be earned for at least a 4 year period; 15 to 21 violations require that credit be earned for at least a 5 year period; and 22 or more violations require that credit be earned for at least a 6 year period.

Q: I NEVER HELD A PENNSYLVANIA DRIVER’S LICENSE. CAN I QUALIFY?

A: No.

Q: DOES A DUI OR DUI RELATED OFFENSE DISQUALIFY ME?

A: Maybe. If you have been convicted of DUI, granted ARD for DUI, or suspended for refusal to submit to chemical testing within the preceding 7 years, you are not eligible for a PL until the 7 years have passed. If you have ever been convicted of homicide by vehicle or homicide by vehicle while DUI, you are permanently prohibited from obtaining a PL. Note, conviction is synonymous with plea negotiations.