You open the envelope from the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). You see a photo of your car, a recorded speed of 36 MPH, and a fine amount.
Your stomach drops. You start worrying about points on your license, your insurance rates skyrocketing, and even a suspended license.
Take a deep breath.
We have good news: A PPA speed camera ticket is NOT a standard traffic ticket.
It is legally classified as a “Notice of Violation,” and the consequences are completely different from being pulled over by a police officer. Here is exactly why these tickets won’t hurt your driving record—and the one specific way they can still hurt you.
The Law: Civil vs. Criminal Violations
In Pennsylvania, when a police officer pulls you over for speeding, they issue a Traffic Citation. This is a criminal proceeding that charges you (the driver) with breaking the law. If convicted, you get points on your license.
However, PPA speed cameras on Broad Street and Roosevelt Boulevard operate under PA Title 75 § 3369.
Under this statute, camera tickets are defined as Civil Violations, not criminal ones.
- Traffic Citation: Charges the driver. (Points added).
- Notice of Violation: Charges the vehicle. (No points added).
Because the camera cannot prove who was driving, the law treats the ticket exactly like a parking ticket—just one that was issued while the car was moving.
Do PPA Tickets Add Points? (The Short Answer: NO)
No points will be added to your license. Period.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority explicitly states: “Violations… won’t be deemed a criminal act, cannot impact license points, and cannot be the subject of an insurance company’s merit rating.”
Even if you are caught doing 50 MPH in a 25 MPH zone, if it is a camera ticket, it is 0 points. (If a real police officer catches you, however, that is 5 points and a hearing).
Will My Insurance Rates Go Up?
No.
Pennsylvania law prohibits insurance companies from using automated speed camera violations to raise your premiums or add surcharges. Since the violation is not recorded on your official PennDOT driving record, your insurance provider effectively doesn’t know it exists.
The Danger: What Happens If You Ignore It?
Since there are no points, many drivers think they can just throw the “Notice of Violation” in the trash.
Do not do this.
While they can’t suspend your license, the PPA has other ways to make you pay:
- Late Fees: If not paid within 30 days, late fees are added to the original $100-$150 fine.
- Booting & Towing: Just like unpaid parking tickets, if you accumulate enough unpaid camera fines, your vehicle can be booted or towed.
- Collections: The debt can be sent to a collection agency, which can impact your credit score.
Summary: The Difference at a Glance
| Feature | Police Traffic Citation | PPA Camera “Notice of Violation” |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Police Officer | Camera / PPA |
| Type | Criminal / Moving Violation | Civil Violation |
| License Points | Yes (2-5 Points) | No (0 Points) |
| Insurance Impact | Yes (Rate Increase) | No |
| Max Penalty | Fines + Suspension | Fines Only |
The Only Way to truly “Beat” the System
The system is designed to take your money, not your license. While you can breathe easy about your insurance rates, $100 is still $100.
The PPA is betting that you’ll eventually slip up and speed on Broad Street or Roosevelt Boulevard.
Don’t let them win. Ticketguard is the only app that runs in the background and warns you before you enter a speed camera zone. It works silently while you listen to music or use navigation, giving you a simple alert that saves you $100.
Related Philadelphia Driver Guides
- Did you get a ticket? Check if you can fight it: How to Fight a Philapark Speed Camera Ticket (and Win)
- Where are the traps? See the full map: Philadelphia Broad Street Speed Camera Locations: The 2026 Map
