PennDOT Frequently Asked Questions | Department of Transportation

​Each district offers a subscription list to receive news updates. To subscribe, click on your district on the Regional Offices page. Then submit your in the news subscription widget.

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Some districts also offer week road reports directly on their page.

You also may visit 511PA, where you can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts.

​All PennDOT job vacancies are posted through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania employment site.

First, there are two types of service within the commonwealth: civil service and non-civil service. Second, you’ll notice that we have two different types of postings. They are:

• Vacancy postings
• Exam postings (in-person and online)

Vacancy Postings

Exam Postings

Some civil service-covered jobs require you to complete an exam, either online or in-person, before you can apply for a vacancy. The exam postings are listed as "Civil Service Written/Online Exam for Future Vacancies" on our website. Learn more on the Applying to an Exam page.

PennDOT is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes workforce diversity. Find a list of open opportunities by visiting the Commonwealth employment site, and apply today!

Pennsylvania law requires a speed limit of 35 M.P.H. when, "The territory contiguous to and including any street which is built up with structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 feet or distance of a quarter of a mile or more."

Therefore, when you are entering a town, you must by law, decrease your speed to 35 M.P.H. When you are leaving the town, the speed limit usually increases because the area is not as condensed. The township posts the speed limit, which is usually higher than a borough.

​Vegetation management beautifies the state's roadways, makes them safer, more accessible and enhances the scenery.

Mowing, pesticide spraying and selected tree thinning are the processes that make up the management program.

PennDOT mows approximately 112,000 acres annually from May through October. How often roads are mowed is determined by their traffic volume and posted speed limit as well as growth height.

In areas in which mowers cannot safely travel, herbicide is applied to the roadside vegetation. Herbicide use is more cost effective than tree cutting or trimming. Herbicides control the extensive root systems of invasive plants. All three activities maintain visibility on the roadsides.

A typical tree trimming crew consists of a foreman, equipment operator and four to five crew members. Tree thinning equipment includes a crew cab, dump truck, wood chipper, chain saws and other hand tools as required. For mowing, PennDOT uses 228 department-owned tractor mowers and contract mowers.

Vegetation management is emphasized during the growing season and extends through the winter, when snow removal isn't required.

​Every project is prepared with a Maintenance and Protection of Traffic Plan (MPT) signed by the District Traffic Engineer and the Assistant District Engineer for Construction. The MPT gives direction to the contractor about when he can work on the roadway, take out lanes of traffic, detour traffic, etc. This direction is based on our best analysis of traffic flow and is sensitive to peak traffic volumes. Our primary construction season is from April through October. We try to complete projects during this timeframe and not during peak travelling times but sometimes an extenuating circumstance intervenes.

​By legislation, PennDOT is required to maintain the traveled cart way, which is defined as traveled lanes, as a priority. When limited storage space or shoulder areas allow no alternative, the decision must be made to either plow the highway at the risk of the sidewalk or to do nothing. Based on case law in Commonwealth Court, PennDOT may inconvenience the property owner by plowing snow on the sidewalk rather than allowing snow accumulation to become a hazard on the highway. In consideration of our customers, we always recommend that where minimal storage space for plowed snow is an issue, our operators should exercise caution and minimize the impact on sidewalks whenever possible.

​Frequently, it appears that PennDOT plows driveways shut after the property owners have already plowed their driveways. These complaints occur on our rural systems due to the fact that our highways are plowed in a priority order, beginning with the highest traffic volume routes and working toward the lower, or rural, traffic routes.

Consequently, rural driveway owners have completed the removal of snow on their driveways prior to our plowing operations. Further complicating this issue is our method of plowing cart ways (traveled width) first, then following up with a cleanup and widening operation. This frequently results in the driveway owner immediately plowing his or her driveway after our truck makes its first pass, only to discover that our cleanup and widening pass deposits additional snow.

Several ways that the impact of the plowing operation can be minimized are to remove snow only to approximately 10 feet from the end of your driveway until all passes are made by the snowplows. Another method is to clean an area in addition to your driveway on the right side of your driveway facing it from the roadway. This allows a plow blade full of snow to be deposited before it reaches your driveway.

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​Typically, this damage occurs during very heavy snowfalls requiring the use of loaders and large snow blowers, which do not perform in the same manner as our truck-mounted snowplows. However, the damage is generally confined to the legal right-of-way. While it is unsightly, the frequency and severity are proportional to the snow depths. PennDOT does not repair these turf damages or remove deposited debris within the right-of-way limits on a routine basis. If property owners insist on reimbursement for conditions that occur beyond the legal right-of-way, we supply the standard Department of General Services claim form, which is available through the PennDOT county offices.

​It is the vehicle operators' responsibility to operate their vehicle within the roadway lines and follow all warning and advisory signage. With line-painting operations being weather-sensitive, they are conducted to provide the most cost-effective way of painting lines with the least disruption for the motoring public.

PennDOT does not provide guidance on how to remove line paint from vehicles. However, you may file an insurance claim against the commonwealth. The commonwealth's Bureau of Finance and Risk Management (FARM) within the Department of General Services is responsible for determining if a claim should be paid. FARM is not associated with PennDOT. All claims are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and not all claims are honored.

If you've experienced damage to your vehicle or property and would like to submit a claim to the commonwealth, please file an insurance claim against the commonwealth. The commonwealth's Bureau of Finance and Risk Management (FARM) within the Department of General Services is responsible for determining if a claim should be paid. FARM is not associated with PennDOT.

NOTE ABOUT POTHOLE DAMAGE: You have the right to file a claim for damages to your vehicle as the result of hitting a pothole. Please be aware that FARM is required to investigate and adjudicate claims against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in accordance with PA C.S.A. Title 42 § . Exception to Sovereign Immunity (b)5. Potholes and other dangerous conditions, which specifically prohibits the payment of a property damage claims caused by potholes, sinkholes, and/or conditions created by the natural elements. FARM is bound by the provisions of Act 152 and is required to deny the claim. This applies to every claim except in very limited circumstances.

Pennsylvania highway and bridge laws are very complicated and extensive with various interpretations based on case law. Every drainage situation must be field-viewed and researched to determine timeframe, types of easement, and types of water involved (flowing stream or storm ater) before any determination of responsibility can be made. 
 
Generally, PennDOT's roads and bridges serve as a flow area for the transmittal of water across its right-of-way and can discharge water onto private property through highway cross-pipes. When damage may result from upstream land-use changes and other circumstances as well as downstream responsibility, it is more difficult to determine responsibility until the research is completed.

​According to Amendment Article V of the Constitution, no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall private property be taken for public use without Just Compensation. In this situation, it is your right to receive Just Compensation in exchange for your property. A Fair Market Value will be determined for your property, and you will receive this along with several other benefits as Just Compensation Pennsylvania's Eminent Domain Legislation is considered the most liberal of its kind in the U.S. Your rights as a property owner are given primary consideration.

​You will be contacted several times throughout the acquisition process, and your cooperation is necessary to aid the success of the process. Your first contact will usually be a letter informing you that your property will be affected by a highway project. You may also be personally visited by various Right-of-Way representatives. All appointments will be made at your convenience, within reason, of course. It is our desire to make this process run as smoothly as possible

​The value of your property will be determined by a qualified, licensed, real estate appraiser. This may be a PennDOT staff appraiser and/or an independent, licensed, real estate appraiser. Local real estate trends and the value of comparable properties will be taken into consideration when determining the Fair Market Value of your property. All appraisals are reviewed by qualified Reviewing Appraisers to assure that you will receive just compensation for your property. For your personal satisfaction, you may obtain an independent appraisal, for which you will be reimbursed. PennDOT will reimburse you up to $4,000.00 for any reasonable expense incurred for an appraiser, engineer, or attorney to evaluate your claim.

​Local real estate trends and the value of comparable properties will be taken into consideration when determining the Market Value of your property which you will be offered. PennDOT cannot, by law or by our policy, offer you less than Market Value for your property.

In addition to the Market Value for your property, you are also entitled to the following benefits:

1. All fees incidental to the transfer of your property to the Department;
2. Any mortgage prepayment penalty you would be required to pay because of the acquisition;
3. Reimbursement for up to a total of $4,000 for reasonable expenses you paid for an appraiser, engineer, or attorney to evaluate PennDOT's offer; and
4. In addition, if PennDOT acquires a residence or business that you occupy, you will be entitled to Relocation Benefits. These benefits are explained in Bulletin #47.

​A Right-of-Way Representative will personally present you with a written offer for your property. PennDOT operates under a written one-offer policy in order to achieve uniformity throughout the project. Each owner is treated on the same basis, and each claim is settled on its merits rather than the negotiating ability of the parties. You will be offered the amount determined by the appraisal process. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation cannot, by law or by our policy, offer you less than Estimated Just Compensation for your property.

If you do not believe that the appraisal offers "Just Compensation", and if you can provide factual information pertaining to the value or damage of your property, which was not available to the appraisers, PennDOT officials will gladly review the appraisal.

​The majority of property acquisitions are settled on an amicable basis. Keep in mind, a careful procedure is used to arrive at a Fair Market Value for your property, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation cannot, by law or by our policy, offer you less than Just Compensation for your property.

 
If, however, an agreement cannot be reached through negotiations, PennDOT in order to proceed with the project, will be forced to file a "condemnation Proceeding" (Declaration of Taking) in the Court of Common Pleas. At the point of condemnation, you will be offered the full amount of the appraised Fair Market Value as Estimated Just Compensation. You may elect to accept the Estimated Just Compensation without jeopardizing your right to contest the amount in court, or you can refuse the payment and it will deposited in your name with the Prothonotary of the county in which the property is located.
 

Once a Declaration of Taking has been filed, either you or PennDOT may petition, within six years, for a Board of Viewers, or the amount paid will be considered payment in full, in accordance with the Statute of Limitations. At a Board of View, the Viewers will consider your testimony, as well as those of the Department of Transportation. An award will be made by the Board of Viewers based on the available information. If either party is still dissatisfied, an appeal may be made to the Court of Common Pleas. Under most circumstances, however, this procedure is not necessary.

​For your convenience payments will be processed as quickly as possible. Before you receive payment, however, you are responsible for providing the Commonwealth with a clear and marketable title. Any liens, mortgages, judgements, taxes or other obligations with regard to your property must be satisfied either prior to or at the time of settlement with the Department.

Once an agreement has been reached, payment can be expected within 4 to 6 weeks. No property owner will be required to move until he or she has received payment of Just Compensation or until it has been made available to him. PennDOT will forward the payments as quickly as possible to aid you with your relocation process.

​Whether you need a permit for your sign depends on whether the sign is on-premise or off-premise along a federal-aid primary highway or interstate. Along state routes without federal funding, a permit is only needed if a sign will encroach on the right-of-way area.

On-premise signs, which advertise products or services available on the property where the sign will be located, have few restrictions. They generally do not require an application or permit; however, if such a sign will be located further than 50 feet from the building or parking lot or the property is along an interstate highway, other factors may need to be considered. Check with your PennDOT district office before installing a sign.

Off-premise signs are those which advertise something not sold on the property where the sign will be located. These signs DO require permits, and must meet size, lighting, and spacing requirements. Before you erect an off-premise commercial advertising sign, an application must be submitted to a PennDOT district office and a permit obtained. An annual permit fee is also required.

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