This is the procedure you must follow when you wish to Appeal a Suspension of Operating Privileges (License Suspension), a Denial of Driver's License or a Suspension of Motor Vehicle Registration.
The form links below are available in PDF or Word format. There is no difference in the content of the forms, you may choose the format you prefer to work in.
State and Local Court Rules Must Be Followed.
- Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure are available at http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/
- Lehigh County Rules are available at http://www.lccpa.org
NOTE: If you plan to E-file your documents from your own PC, your browser’s default PDF reader may prevent the PDF self-help forms from being fully operational when opened and completed in the browser.
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To be able to electronically sign Self-help PDF forms - Download the form to your PC,
- Open form in Adobe Reader* or Adobe Acrobat,
- Complete and electronically sign,
- Save completed form to PC and rename before uploading through E-filing system (OFS Odyssey File & Serve).
- Some self help forms may need to be printed and scanned to pdf before E-filing. If you do not have access to a scanner you will have to E-file in person at the Lehigh County Courthouse.
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We recommend that you use the printable checklist.
There are complex rules of law that everyone who comes to court must follow. You must follow these rules even though you are not a lawyer because the rules exist to provide an orderly process to reach a fair conclusion. Click here
- Sign and date all printed copies of the completed forms from Step 1 that require your signature.
For full registration and filing instructions, please review the Independent Filer Instructions and OFS Family Guidelines documents under the Self-Help section of https://efilepa.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp
- Go to https://efilepa.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp
- Select the Civil category and select your case type
- Enter the party names and addresses
- Select each filing code. After selecting the filing code, you will be able to upload your documents
- Confirm your payment information
- Submit the filing to the review queue
- Once your filings have been accepted through the OFS Odyssey File & Serve, you will receive an email at the email address that you used to register with, stating if your filing has been approved or denied. Once you have received the email stating that your filing has been approved, there will be a link to view the approved document(s).
- You will need to print out two (2) time-stamped copies of the completed Petition for Appeal from a Suspension of Operating Privilege/Denial of Driver's License/Suspension of Motor Vehicle Registration and completed Rule to Show Cause and Scheduling Order the document(s) to serve the other party(ies) in the case.
- Keep one (1) time-stamped copy with you as proof of the Appeal.
- One (1) time-stamped copy is to be mailed to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
Manner of Service
To use these self-help forms, the manner of service must be Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested.
- Address an envelope to:
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
- Office of Chief Counsel
- 101 South Front Street
- Third Floor, Riverfront Office Center
- Harrisburg, PA 17104-2516
- Put the following in the envelope addressed to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Office of Chief Counsel:
- One (1) time-stamped certified copy of the Petition for Appeal from a Suspension of Operating Privilege / Denial of Driver's License/Suspension of Motor Vehicle Registration.
- One (1) time-stamped certified copy of the Rule to Show Cause and Scheduling Order.
- Take your printable Checklist that contains instructions on how to send Certified mail, return receipt requested.
- Take the addressed envelope containing the copy of the Petition for Appeal from a Suspension of Operating Privilege/Denial of Driver's License/Suspension of Motor Vehicle Registration and the Scheduling Order.
- Take money for postage.
- Obtain one (1) Domestic Return Receipt from the post office
- Complete according to instructions on your printable checklist
- Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled hearing.
- Take the following items with you to the Courthouse:
- The returned “claimed” green post card (Domestic Return Receipt Form 3811)
- Your copy of the Petition for Appeal
- Any additional documentation supporting your appeal
- Check in with Court Staff at assigned Courtroom
We recommend that you use the printable checklist.
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Disclaimer
The forms and instructions that are available from this website are not a substitute for professional legal advice. Court employees cannot give you legal advice or help you fill out /complete the forms. It is your responsibility to read and complete the forms and to take required steps to file and serve the documents. If you decide to use these forms in an actual action, be prepared to spend appropriate time gathering information, completing forms and following the Rules of Court. The Court assumes no responsibility for the use of these forms and accepts no liability for actions taken by using these documents, including reliance on the instructions and/or contents. To obtain legal advice and to insure the proper use of this material, you should contact a lawyer.
If you want to obtain the service of an attorney, but do not know whom to contact, you should visit the Lehigh Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service website.
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