What the Dunmore Photo License Center Does

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Photo License Center in Dunmore is a satellite office where you can have your photograph taken for a driver's license or ID card without going to a full PennDOT Driver License Center. The center handles the photo portion of the license process only — you cannot renew your license, change your address, or handle other transactions there. It exists to reduce wait times at the main centers by letting you get your photo taken at a location closer to you, then submit the rest of your materials elsewhere.

The Dunmore center is located in Lackawanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania, near Scranton. It serves people in that region who need a new photo for a license or ID but do not want to travel to a full Driver License Center. The center operates on a walk-in basis with no appointment system, though wait times vary by day and time of day.

Key Takeaways

  • The Dunmore Photo License Center takes your photograph only; you must submit your process and documents to a full PennDOT Driver License Center or by mail.
  • You need a valid form of ID and proof of residency before you go, even though you are only getting a photo taken.
  • The center operates on a walk-in basis with no appointments, so arriving early in the day typically means shorter waits.
  • After your photo is taken, you receive a receipt that you bring to a Driver License Center along with your completed process and supporting documents.

What Documents You Need Before Your Photo Visit

Bring a valid form of identification and proof of your current address. Valid ID includes a current driver's license, passport, military ID, or PennDOT ID card. If your ID is expired, you can still use it as long as it shows your photograph and signature. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your name and address.

If you are a minor (under 18), a parent or legal guardian must accompany you. Bring the same documents for the guardian. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Do not bring originals of important documents; bring copies or have the originals with you but leave them in your car if possible.

How the Photo Process Works at Dunmore

Walk into the center during operating hours and check in at the front desk. You will be given a number and asked to wait. When your number is called, you go to the photo station. The photographer will take a digital photograph of you against a plain background. The photo must meet PennDOT standards: you must face the camera directly, have a neutral expression, and wear no sunglasses or hats (religious head coverings are permitted). If you wear glasses, the photographer may ask you to remove them to avoid glare.

The photo session takes about five minutes. You will see the photo on a screen and have the chance to approve it or request a retake if you believe it does not look like you or violates the standards. Once approved, the photographer prints a receipt with your photo attached. This receipt is your proof that your photo was taken and is valid for 30 days. You must bring this receipt to a full Driver License Center when you submit your process and documents.

What Happens After Your Photo Is Taken

Your photo is valid for 30 days from the date it was taken. Within that window, you must go to a PennDOT Driver License Center with your photo receipt, a completed process form (DL-44 for a driver's license or ID-92 for an ID card), proof of residency, and any other documents required for your specific transaction. The Driver License Center will scan your photo receipt, verify your documents, and process your process.

If you do not submit your process within 30 days, your photo expires and you must return to the Dunmore center to have a new one taken. There is no fee for the photo itself, but you will pay the standard fee for your license or ID card when you submit your process at the Driver License Center.

Operating Hours and Location Details

The Dunmore Photo License Center is located at 10 Lackawanna Avenue, Dunmore, PA 18512. Hours vary by day; the center typically operates Monday through Friday during business hours, but you should confirm current hours by calling PennDOT's customer service line at 1-717-787-2937 or visiting the PennDOT website before you go. Hours change seasonally and may be adjusted without notice.

The center is accessible by car and has parking available. Public transportation options are limited in the area, so driving is the most practical way to reach it. If you are traveling from a distance, plan to arrive early in the day, as wait times tend to be longer in the afternoon.

When You Cannot Use the Dunmore Center

The Dunmore center is for photo-taking only. You cannot renew your license, change your address, update your name, add or remove endorsements (such as a commercial driver's license endorsement), or handle any other license transaction there. If you need to do any of those things, you must go to a full PennDOT Driver License Center. The nearest full centers to Dunmore are in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

If you are a new driver taking the written and road tests for the first time, you cannot take those tests at the Dunmore center. You must go to a full Driver License Center for testing. The photo center is only for people who have already passed their tests or who are renewing a license and need a new photo.

Alternatives if Dunmore Is Not Convenient

If the Dunmore location is too far or the hours do not work for you, you can have your photo taken at any PennDOT Driver License Center in the state. The full centers offer the same photo service as part of their regular operations. You can also mail in your photo if you are renewing your license by mail, though this option is only available for certain renewal transactions and requires you to follow PennDOT's specific mailing instructions.

Some third-party vendors, such as certain AAA offices and photo studios, are authorized by PennDOT to take license photos. These vendors charge a fee (usually $10 to $20) but may have more flexible hours or locations. You can ask PennDOT customer service for a list of authorized vendors near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an appointment at the Dunmore Photo License Center?

No. The center operates on a walk-in basis only. There is no appointment system. Arriving early in the morning typically results in shorter waits than arriving in the afternoon.

What if my photo does not look like me or I do not like how it turned out?

You can request a retake when ready after the photo is taken, before you leave the center. The photographer will take another photo at no additional cost. Once you leave the center with your receipt, you cannot request a retake there; you would have to return and have a new photo taken.

Do I have to go to a Driver License Center in my own county to submit my process?

No. You can submit your process at any PennDOT Driver License Center in Pennsylvania, regardless of which county you live in. You do not have to return to the Dunmore center or go to a center in your home county.

What if I lose my photo receipt before I get to the Driver License Center?

Contact the Dunmore center or call PennDOT customer service to report the lost receipt. They can provide documentation that your photo was taken. You will need this proof when you go to the Driver License Center to submit your process. You may also be able to have a new photo taken if the original is no longer within the 30-day window.

Is there a fee for having my photo taken at Dunmore?

No. The photo service itself is free. You pay only when you submit your process and receive your license or ID card at a Driver License Center. The fee for a license or ID card varies depending on the type and validity period you choose.