​Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminded property owners that they must obtain a Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) from PennDOT if planning property improvements that include constructing or altering a driveway that connects to a state highway.

HOPs for driveways are required by Section 420 of Title 36, also known as the State Highway Law. PennDOT urges property owners without one of these permits to obtain one to legitimize their driveway and retain it as evidence of compliance with the law.

Property owners may submit permit applications online or by using a paper application. Visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov, select “Highway Occupancy Permits” from the “Permits” page under “Doing Business” to access PennDOT’s Electronic Permitting System (ePermitting) and submit an online application. Printable versions of PennDOT Form M-950A or M-945A are accessible from the “Permits” page under “HOP-Related Forms.”

Forms are also available at PennDOT county offices. Property owners should submit completed applications to the county office for review. PennDOT will review the driveway location for compliance with applicable laws and regulations, such as sight distances, drainage, and proposed driveway design features, to eliminate costly problems that the property owner might otherwise be held responsible for, such as relocating the driveway. Office location information is available on the department’s website under “Regional Offices.”

Property owners must apply for a permit at least 30 days before they start work unless the application is for a long-existing driveway. PennDOT strongly encourages property owners to obtain a driveway permit before a building permit, which may be required in some municipalities by ordinance. Property owners can avoid potential conflicts by determining an acceptable driveway location before constructing a building on the property, which helps property owners avoid potentially costly issues.

Once they have completed driveway construction or alteration, the property owner can notify the local PennDOT county office so it can conduct a final inspection to verify that the work completed is consistent with the permit.

The application/inspection fee for a residential driveway permit is $25. A property owner who fails to obtain a permit before constructing a new driveway or altering the design of an existing one is subject to a minimum $100 fine plus court costs. Additional costs would also result if the driveway is installed improperly and needs to be corrected by the property owner or PennDOT.​

While a property owner is not typically required to have a driveway permit to pave an existing, permitted driveway, PennDOT still urges them to contact their local county office before paving one to discuss any potential impacts to highway drainage. If they fail to accommodate highway drainage, they may be required to make repairs later at their own expense.