How to get a Pennsylvania Driver's License
Find out how to get a new PA driver's license, replace your out-of-state license and requirements for international drivers with this Pennsylvania DMV guide.
Pennsylvania Drivers License Rules
Under PA DMV guidelines, you must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a Pennsylvania Junior Drivers License.
All applicants need to be familiar with the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual. Think you know the material? Take our Pennsylvania DMV practice test now and test your driving knowledge.
First Time Drivers
If this is your first driver's license or your out-of-state driver's license has been expired for more than six months, you will need to apply for a Pennsylvania learners permit which requires a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.
Once you receive a valid learners permit, you will then need to pass a road skills and vision test to receive a PA drivers license.
Applicants under 18 must have held a learners permit for 6 months and must present a certificate of completion for the required 50 hours of supervised driving time before taking the road skills test.
New PA Residents
New residents of Pennsylvania who hold a valid driver's license from another state in the United States must get a Pennsylvania Driver's License within 60 days after moving to PA and surrender their out-of-state driver's license and/or ID card.
There is no written exam or road skills testing required to change a valid out-of-state license to a PA driver's license, however you will need to pass the vision test.
Out of state learner's permits cannot be transferred to PA
If your out-of-state driver's license has expired more than six months ago, you will be required to apply for a Pennsylvania learners permit and pass all required testing to receive a driver's license.
International Drivers
Pennsylvania honors a valid foreign driver's license with an international driving permit for a period of one year. Once your foreign license expires, you must apply for a PA learners permit and pass all required testing to receive a driver's license.
Reciprocity agreements exit with the countries of France and Germany allowing for the transfer of a valid non-commercial driver's license without Road or Knowledge testing; however, a vision test will be administered. (Transfer of a driver's license from Puerto Rico, France, Germany cannont be completed the same day.)
Paperwork
Before you head to the DMV Office, make sure you have all of the documentation needed for proof of identity and residency. Click on a link below to see the list of acceptable documents for proof of identity and residency for U.S. and Non-U.S. Citizens.
- U.S. Citizens (PDF)
- Non-U.S. Citizens (PDF)
On the Road
Once your licensing requirements have been met, your Class E Driver's License will be valid for 4 years. Remember... the safe operation of a vehicle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the other drivers and the environment.
Driver's License Resources
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual |
