How to renew your Pennsylvania driver's license
You can renew your Pennsylvania driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need a Real ID, and how quickly you need the new one. Most people renew by mail or online because both are faster than visiting a center in person.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice contains your renewal code, which you will need for any renewal method. If you have not received a notice and your license is expiring soon, you can still renew — you will just need your driver's license number instead.
Key Takeaways
- Mail and online renewal both take about two to three weeks from the time PennDOT receives your materials, while in-person renewal can be completed the same day.
- You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, revoked, or expired for more than five years, or if you need a Real ID for the first time.
- Real ID licenses cost more and require proof of citizenship and residency in person — you cannot get one by mail or online.
- Your renewal notice includes your renewal code; keep it with your process materials because you will need it.
- PennDOT processes mail renewals in the order they arrive, so sending yours early does not speed up the timeline.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal is the slowest method but requires no trip to a center. You will need your renewal notice (which includes your renewal code), a completed DL-43 form, and payment. The DL-43 form is included with your renewal notice, but you can also read it from the PennDOT website if you have lost the notice.
Write a check or money order for the renewal fee — the amount is printed on your renewal notice and varies depending on how many years you are renewing for. Do not send cash. Mail everything to the address listed on your renewal notice. PennDOT typically processes mail renewals within two to three weeks of receiving them, though during busy periods it can take longer.
Your new license will arrive by mail at the address on file with PennDOT. If you have moved since your last renewal, update your address before mailing your renewal materials, or your new license will go to your old address. You can update your address online through the PennDOT website or by calling 717-787-2937.
Renewing online
Online renewal is the fastest method if you are may be able to access. You go to the PennDOT website, enter your driver's license number and renewal code (from your renewal notice), and pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. The entire process takes about 10 minutes. Your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended or revoked, if it expired more than five years ago, if you need to change your name or address, or if you are renewing a Real ID for the first time. You also cannot renew online if you are under 21 or if your vision has changed significantly since your last renewal. If any of these explore to you, you must renew in person.
Online renewal does not let you upload documents or photos — PennDOT uses the photo and information from your current license. If you want a new photo or need to correct information on your license, you must renew in person at a Driver License Center.
Renewing in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center
In-person renewal is the only option if you need a Real ID, if your license has been suspended or revoked, or if you need to change your name or address. You can also choose in-person renewal if you want a new photo or need to correct information on your license.
Bring your current driver's license, your renewal notice (if you have it), and payment. You do not need an appointment at most centers, but some centers operate by appointment only — check the PennDOT website to see which centers in your area take walk-ins. Bring proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form) because PennDOT will verify it before issuing your new license.
Processing times vary by location. Some centers issue your new license the same day; others mail it to you within two to three weeks. Ask the staff member when you arrive what to expect for your specific transaction. Bring a book or plan to wait — wait times at busy centers can be an hour or more, especially on weekends and at the end of the month.
Real ID renewal and requirements
A Real ID is a driver's license that meets federal security standards and can be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. Pennsylvania Real IDs have a gold star in the upper right corner. If your current license does not have a gold star and you want one, you must renew in person.
To get a Real ID, you must bring proof of citizenship (a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate), proof of your Social Security number, and two documents showing your current address (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement). The address on these documents must match the address you are registering with PennDOT. A Real ID costs more than a standard license — the exact amount is listed on the PennDOT website and depends on how many years you are renewing for.
If you already have a Real ID and are renewing it, you can renew by mail or online using the same process as a standard license renewal. You do not need to bring documents again unless you are changing your address or name.
What to do if your license has expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person using the same process as a standard renewal. If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew — you must explore for a new license, which requires an in-person visit to a Driver License Center, a written test, and a vision test.
If your license expired while you were deployed with the military, or while you were incarcerated, you may be able to renew it even if more than five years have passed. Contact PennDOT at 717-787-2937 to discuss your situation.
Tracking your renewal and what happens next
If you renewed by mail or online, you can track your renewal on the PennDOT website using your driver's license number. The tracking tool shows whether PennDOT has received your materials and whether your new license has been mailed. If you renewed in person, ask for a receipt — it shows your temporary driving privileges while you wait for your new license to arrive.
Your new license is valid for four or five years, depending on your age and the type of license. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew again starting 60 days before that date. If you lose your new license before it expires, you can request a replacement by mail, online, or in person — the process is the same as renewal, but the fee is different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while I wait for my new license to arrive?
Yes, if you renewed in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. If you renewed by mail or online, you can continue driving on your current license until your new one arrives, as long as your current license has not yet expired. Once your current license expires, you cannot drive legally until your new license arrives.
What if I moved and my renewal notice went to my old address?
You can still renew by mail or online without the notice — you just need your driver's license number instead of the renewal code. Update your address with PennDOT before mailing your renewal materials, or your new license will go to your old address. You can update your address online or by calling 717-787-2937.
How much does a driver's license renewal cost?
The fee depends on how many years you are renewing for and whether you want a Real ID. Standard license renewals cost less than Real ID renewals. The exact fee is printed on your renewal notice and is also listed on the PennDOT website. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card depending on your renewal method.
What if I need to change my name on my license?
You must renew in person at a Driver License Center and bring a document showing your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You will also need to bring the same documents required for a standard in-person renewal.
Can I renew my license if it has been suspended?
No, you cannot renew by mail or online if your license is suspended or revoked. You must visit a Driver License Center in person. The staff can tell you whether the suspension can be lifted and what steps you need to take before renewing.