What you need to do to switch your license to Pennsylvania
To transfer your driver's license to Pennsylvania, you visit a PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) Driver License Center in person, bring your current out-of-state license and proof documents, and complete an process. Pennsylvania will not mail you a new license — you must appear at a physical location. The process takes about 30 minutes, and you leave with a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your plastic card is produced.
You do not need to surrender your old license to PennDOT, though some states require you to return it to them directly. Pennsylvania's process is straightforward because the state accepts most valid out-of-state licenses without a written test, as long as your current license is not suspended or revoked.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a PennDOT Driver License Center in person with your current out-of-state license and required documents — there is no online or mail option.
- Bring proof of Pennsylvania residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), proof of identity, and proof of your Social Security number.
- Pennsylvania does not require a written test for most out-of-state license holders, but you will take a vision test and a road test.
- You receive a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 45 days, while your plastic card is mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days.
- The fee is $35.50 for a five-year license or $67.50 for a ten-year license, paid at the time of your visit.
Documents you must bring to the Driver License Center
Bring your current, valid out-of-state driver's license. If your license is expired, you can still use it as proof of identity, but you should also bring a second form of ID such as a passport, military ID, or state ID card.
Bring one document proving Pennsylvania residency dated within 60 days of your visit. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or a letter from a government agency. A bank statement or credit card statement does not count. If you have just moved and do not yet have a utility bill in your name, a lease signed by you and your landlord works.
Bring proof of your Social Security number. This can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. A birth certificate alone is not sufficient.
Where to find a Driver License Center near you
Visit the PennDOT website at www.dmv.pa.gov and use the "Find a Driver License Center" tool. Enter your county or city, and the site will show you all open locations, their hours, and whether they accept walk-ins or require an appointment.
Most Driver License Centers operate Monday through Friday during business hours, though some locations have extended evening hours or Saturday appointments. Call ahead if you are unsure whether a location accepts walk-ins, because some require you to book a time slot online or by phone. Wait times vary by location and time of day — visiting early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter lines.
The vision test and road test you will take
At the Driver License Center, you will take a vision screening. This is not a full eye exam — the examiner checks whether you can read a chart at a specific distance and whether you have adequate peripheral vision. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you can retake it the same day, but you will not receive your license until you pass.
You will also take a road test, which is a 15 to 20 minute drive with a PennDOT examiner. The examiner watches you perform basic maneuvers: starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, and backing up. You must demonstrate that you know Pennsylvania traffic laws and can operate the vehicle safely. If you fail, you can schedule another road test, usually within a few days.
You do not take a written knowledge test unless your out-of-state license is from a country other than the United States, or unless your license has been expired for more than one year. If you do need to take the written test, you can study the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual, available free on the PennDOT website.
What happens after you pass the tests
Once you pass the vision and road tests, you complete the DL-44 process form at the Driver License Center. The examiner will help you fill it out. You pay the license fee at this time — $35.50 for a five-year license or $67.50 for a ten-year license. Payment is cash, check, or card.
You receive a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and allows you to drive legally in Pennsylvania and other states. Your plastic driver's license card is mailed to the address you provided on your process within 7 to 10 business days. Do not throw away your temporary license until your plastic card arrives.
If your out-of-state license is suspended or revoked
Pennsylvania will not issue you a new license if your current license is suspended or revoked in any state. Before you visit a Driver License Center, check the status of your license through your previous state's DMV website or by calling their customer service line.
If your license is suspended, you must resolve the suspension in the state that issued it. This usually means paying a fine, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a suspension period. Once the suspension is lifted, contact that state's DMV to request a clearance letter or abstract showing your license is now valid. Bring this letter with you when you explore in Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to take a written test to transfer my license to Pennsylvania?
No, not usually. Pennsylvania waives the written test for most out-of-state license holders whose licenses are current and valid. You will take a vision test and a road test instead. You only take the written test if your license is from outside the United States or has been expired for more than one year.
Can I transfer my license by mail or online?
No. Pennsylvania requires you to appear in person at a Driver License Center. You cannot transfer your license online or by mail. You must bring your documents and take the vision and road tests at a physical location.
What if I move to Pennsylvania but my out-of-state license is not expiring soon?
You must transfer to a Pennsylvania license within 60 days of establishing residency in the state. It does not matter when your out-of-state license expires — Pennsylvania law requires you to switch. Driving on an out-of-state license after 60 days of residency can result in a fine.
How long does it take to get my plastic license card in the mail?
Your plastic card is mailed within 7 to 10 business days of your visit. Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days, so you have time to wait. If your card does not arrive within two weeks, contact PennDOT at 1-717-787-2937 to check the status.
What if I fail the road test?
You can schedule another road test, usually within a few days. There is no additional fee for retesting. You can take the road test as many times as you need to pass. Between attempts, practice the skills the examiner noted — smooth turns, controlled stops, and proper use of mirrors.