What you need to do to move your license to Pennsylvania
To transfer your driver license to Pennsylvania, you must visit a PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) Driver License Center in person with your current out-of-state license, proof of Pennsylvania residency, and proof of your Social Security number. PennDOT will not mail you a new license or let you renew by mail if you are moving from another state — you have to appear at a center, take a new photo, and pay the transfer fee. The process takes about 30 minutes once you are called, and you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot while your plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Pennsylvania treats a transfer as a new license issuance, not a straightforward renewal. This means you cannot keep your old license number, and you will need to pass a vision test at the center. If your out-of-state license is expired or will expire within 60 days, you must renew it in your home state first — PennDOT will not accept an expired license as proof of driving history.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a PennDOT Driver License Center in person; transfers cannot be done by mail or online.
- Bring your current out-of-state license, proof of Pennsylvania residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return).
- You will take a new photo and pass a vision test at the center, and you will receive a temporary paper license when ready.
- Your plastic Pennsylvania license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and the transfer fee is $30.50 for a four-year license.
Documents you must bring to the Driver License Center
Bring your current, valid out-of-state driver license. If it is expired, renew it in your home state before you go to PennDOT, because an expired license will not be accepted as proof of identity and driving history.
Bring one document that proves you live in Pennsylvania. PennDOT accepts a current utility bill (electric, gas, water, or phone), a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank statement showing your Pennsylvania address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works — a tax notice, court document, or voter registration card.
Bring proof of your Social Security number. You can use your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a tax return, a 1099 form, or a birth certificate. A driver license from another state that shows your Social Security number also counts.
How to find and book an appointment at a Driver License Center
Visit the PennDOT website at www.dmv.pa.gov and click "Find a Driver License Center" to see all locations near you. Each center has its own hours and appointment availability. You can book an appointment online through the same website, or you can walk in without an appointment — walk-ins are served on a first-come, first-served basis, but wait times vary widely by location and time of day.
If you book online, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment time. Arrive 10 minutes early. If you walk in, expect to wait anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on how busy the center is. Centers in rural areas and smaller towns typically have shorter waits than those in cities.
Some Driver License Centers are busier on certain days. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often less crowded than Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. If you have flexibility, visiting mid-morning or mid-afternoon rather than first thing in the morning or right after lunch can reduce your wait.
What happens during your visit to the Driver License Center
When you arrive, you will check in at the front desk and hand over your documents. A staff member will verify that your proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and out-of-state license are all acceptable. If anything is missing or does not meet the requirements, they will tell you what you need to bring back.
Once your documents are verified, you will be called to a station where you will take a new photo for your Pennsylvania license. You will also take a vision test — you will read letters and numbers on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you will be told on the spot and given information about what to do next.
After the photo and vision test, you will pay the license fee and receive a temporary paper license that is valid when ready. This temporary license is your proof of a valid Pennsylvania driver license until your plastic card arrives. Keep it with you while driving. Your permanent plastic license will be mailed to the address you provided and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
License fees and how long the license lasts
A four-year Pennsylvania driver license costs $30.50. If you are 65 or older, a four-year license costs $10. A junior license for drivers under 18 costs $30.50 and is valid until your 21st birthday.
Your new Pennsylvania license will expire four years from the date you receive it, unless you are over 65, in which case it expires four years from the date of issue but you may be able to renew by mail at that time. The expiration date will be printed on your license.
What to do if you have a commercial driver license or special endorsements
If your out-of-state license is a commercial driver license (CDL), you cannot straightforward transfer it to Pennsylvania. You must surrender your CDL and take the Pennsylvania CDL written test and road test. Contact a PennDOT Driver License Center to schedule your CDL testing — this is a separate process from a standard license transfer and takes longer.
If your out-of-state license has endorsements such as motorcycle (M), hazmat (H), or passenger (P), those endorsements do not automatically transfer. You will need to pass the written test for each endorsement you want to add to your Pennsylvania license. Ask the staff at the Driver License Center which tests you need to take.
What happens to your old out-of-state license
When you transfer to Pennsylvania, PennDOT will keep your out-of-state license. You do not get it back. If you need it for identification purposes after your transfer, bring another form of ID such as a passport or state ID card.
You should notify your home state's DMV that you no longer need your out-of-state license, though this is not required by Pennsylvania. Some states ask you to return your license or notify them when you move. Check your home state's DMV website to see if they have a process for this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my license by mail or online?
No. Pennsylvania requires you to appear in person at a Driver License Center for a license transfer. You must take a new photo and pass a vision test, which can only be done at a center. There is no mail-in or online option for transfers from out-of-state licenses.
What if my out-of-state license is expired?
You must renew it in your home state before you go to PennDOT. An expired license will not be accepted as proof of identity or driving history. Once you have a valid out-of-state license, you can transfer it to Pennsylvania.
How long does it take to get my permanent plastic license in the mail?
Your permanent plastic Pennsylvania license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days of your visit. You will receive a temporary paper license at the center that is valid when ready, so you can drive right away. If your plastic license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Driver License Center where you applied.
Do I have to take a written test to transfer my license?
No. You do not have to take Pennsylvania's written driving test to transfer an out-of-state license. You only take a vision test. However, if you want to add endorsements such as motorcycle or hazmat, you will need to pass the written test for those endorsements.
What if I do not have a utility bill or lease to prove residency?
You can use a mortgage statement, property tax bill, bank statement, or mail from a government agency such as a tax notice or voter registration card. The document must show your name and Pennsylvania address and be dated within the last 60 days. If you have just moved and do not have any of these yet, contact a Driver License Center to ask what alternative documents they will accept.