You can still drive legally for a short grace period, but only to renew it
Pennsylvania gives you a 60-day grace period after your license expires. During those 60 days, you can legally drive to work, run errands, and travel — but you cannot use an expired license as proof of identity for other purposes like opening a bank account or boarding a plane. The moment those 60 days end, driving with an expired license becomes illegal, and you risk a traffic citation.
The grace period exists specifically to give you time to renew before you lose driving privileges. It is not a second expiration date you can ignore. If you are stopped by police after the grace period ends, you will be cited for driving with an expired license, which carries a fine and can affect your insurance rates.
Key Takeaways
- You have 60 days after expiration to drive legally, but only to handle necessary tasks like getting to work or renewing your license.
- After the 60-day grace period ends, driving is illegal and you can be cited and fined by police.
- You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office, and the method you choose determines how long the process takes.
- Renewing before expiration is faster and simpler than renewing after, because you avoid the grace period rush and longer wait times.
- If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to pass the written test again and may need to retake the road test.
How to renew before the grace period ends
The fastest way to renew is online through the PennDOT website (www.dmv.pa.gov). You can renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical conditions that need to be reported, and your address has not changed. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $35.50, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. This means you can renew while still in the grace period and have your new license before the 60 days are up.
If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail. Request a renewal process from PennDOT by calling 717-787-2937, or read the form DL-44 from the website. Mail the completed form with your current license, a check or money order for $35.50, and proof of your current address (a utility bill or bank statement dated within 60 days). Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks, so mail your process early in the grace period.
Renewing in person at a PennDOT office is an option if you need your license quickly or cannot use the online or mail methods. You will need to bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card or W-2), and proof of your current address. Wait times at PennDOT offices vary by location and time of day, but you can check wait times on the PennDOT website before you go. You will pay $35.50 and receive your new license on the spot.
What happens if you drive after the grace period expires
Driving with an expired license after the 60-day grace period is a summary offense under Pennsylvania law. If you are stopped, you will receive a citation and a fine. The fine amount varies, but typically ranges from $50 to $200 depending on the officer's discretion and local court policy. The citation will also appear on your driving record.
A citation for an expired license can also affect your car insurance. Some insurers will raise your rates or drop you after a moving violation. You may also face higher rates when you shop for insurance in the future, because the violation stays on your record for three years.
If you are in an accident while driving with an expired license, your insurance company may deny your claim, leaving you responsible for all damage and medical costs. This is one of the most serious consequences of letting your license expire.
Renewing a license that expired more than one year ago
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a PennDOT office in person. You will also need to retake the written knowledge test to prove you still know Pennsylvania traffic laws. The test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices, and you can study using the PennDOT Driver's Manual available on their website.
Depending on how long your license has been expired and your age, you may also need to retake the road test — the driving test where an examiner rides with you and watches you handle the car. PennDOT will tell you when you call or visit whether you need the road test. If you do, you will need to schedule an appointment, which can take several weeks depending on your local office's availability.
The cost is still $35.50 for the license itself, but you will also pay a test fee if you retake the written test ($10) or road test ($35). Bring the same documents you would bring for an in-person renewal: your current (expired) license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
Using your expired license for identification
An expired Pennsylvania driver's license cannot be used as proof of identity for most purposes, even during the 60-day grace period. Banks, airlines, government offices, and retailers will not accept it. If you need to prove your identity while your license is expired, you will need another form of ID: a passport, a state ID card, a military ID, or a passport card.
If you need identification urgently and do not have another form of ID, PennDOT can issue a non-driver ID card while you wait for your renewed license. This card costs $18.50 and can be obtained in person at a PennDOT office. It serves the same identification purpose as a driver's license but does not allow you to drive.
Renewing your license before it expires
PennDOT sends a renewal notice to your address about 60 days before your license expires. This notice includes instructions for renewing online, by mail, or in person. If you renew before the expiration date, you avoid the grace period entirely and your new license is valid when ready. You also avoid the rush of people renewing during the grace period, which can mean shorter wait times at PennDOT offices and faster processing for mail renewals.
Renewing early is the simplest approach. You can do it online in 10 minutes, and your new license arrives before your old one expires. There is no downside to renewing early, and it eliminates the risk of accidentally driving illegally if you forget about the grace period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive out of state with an expired Pennsylvania license during the grace period?
Yes, you can drive in other states during the 60-day grace period. However, if you are stopped by police in another state, they will see that your license is expired, and that state's laws will explore. Most states have similar grace periods or treat an expired license as a minor violation, but some do not. It is safer to renew before traveling out of state.
What if I did not receive the renewal notice from PennDOT?
If you did not receive a notice, you can still renew. Check your license to see the expiration date, then visit www.dmv.pa.gov to renew online, or call 717-787-2937 to request a renewal form by mail. You do not need the notice to renew — it is just a reminder.
Can I renew my license if I moved and have not updated my address?
You can renew online if your address has not changed. If you have moved, you must renew in person or by mail and provide proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). Bring this proof with you or include it with your mail process.
How much does it cost to renew a Pennsylvania driver's license?
A standard renewal costs $35.50. If you renew in person and need to retake the written test, add $10. If you need to retake the road test, add $35. A non-driver ID card costs $18.50 if you need identification while waiting for your renewed license.
What if my license was suspended or revoked?
You cannot renew online or by mail if your license is suspended or revoked. You must go to a PennDOT office in person. Bring your current license and the documents listed above. A PennDOT representative will check your record and tell you what steps you need to take before you can renew.