Pennsylvania driver's license renewal basics
Pennsylvania lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office. Which method you can use depends on your license type, how much time is left before it expires, and whether you need a new photo. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office.
Your Pennsylvania license is valid for four years if you're under 65, or five years if you're 65 or older. PennDOT sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires, but you don't have to wait for the notice to start the process. You can renew up to six months before your expiration date.
Renewing before your license expires keeps you legal to drive. Driving on an expired license is a violation in Pennsylvania, even if you've already started the renewal process.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online at www.dmv.pa.gov if your license is not suspended, you don't need a new photo, and you're renewing a standard or REAL ID license.
- Online renewal costs $30.50 and takes about 10 business days; your new license arrives by mail.
- Mail renewal requires a completed form DL-43, your current license, and a check or money order, and takes two to three weeks.
- In-person renewal at a PennDOT office is required if your license is suspended, you need a new photo, or you're changing your address or name.
- You can renew up to six months before your expiration date, and PennDOT sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration.
Online renewal through PennDOT's website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you're may be able to access. Go to www.dmv.pa.gov, select "Renew Your Driver's License," and follow the steps. You'll need your current Pennsylvania driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).
You cannot renew online if your license is suspended or revoked, if you need a new photo, if you're changing your legal name, or if you're renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). You also cannot renew online if you're under 18 or if more than five years have passed since your last license was issued.
Online renewal costs $30.50 and your new license arrives by mail in about 10 business days. You'll receive a confirmation number when ready after you complete the transaction. Keep this number in case you need to check on your renewal status.
Mail renewal with form DL-43
To renew by mail, read or request form DL-43 from PennDOT. You can get the form at any PennDOT office, by calling 717-787-2937, or by downloading it from www.dmv.pa.gov. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and include your current driver's license.
Mail your completed form DL-43, your current license, and a check or money order for $30.50 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope with your address if you want your new license mailed back to you faster. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date PennDOT receives your packet.
You cannot renew by mail if your license is suspended, if you need a new photo, or if you're changing your name or address. If any of these explore, you must renew in person at a PennDOT office.
In-person renewal at a PennDOT office
Visit a PennDOT Driver's License Center if you need a new photo, if your license is suspended or revoked, if you're changing your legal name or address, or if you're renewing a commercial driver's license. You can find the office nearest you and check hours at www.dmv.pa.gov.
Bring your current Pennsylvania driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). If you're changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If you're changing your address, bring proof of your new address.
In-person renewal takes about 15 to 30 minutes at most offices, though wait times vary. You'll pay $30.50 and receive your new license on the spot. Some offices accept walk-ins, but many require you to book an appointment online at www.dmv.pa.gov. Check your local office's policy before you go.
What happens if your license expires
Driving on an expired Pennsylvania license is illegal and can result in a traffic citation. If you're stopped by police, you can be fined. An expired license also makes it harder to cash checks, board a plane, or prove your identity for other purposes.
If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can renew it using the same methods as a regular renewal. If it's been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a PennDOT office and may need to retake the written test and vision test. You'll also need to pay the standard renewal fee.
If you're unsure whether your license is still valid, check the expiration date printed on the front of your card. You can also call PennDOT at 717-787-2937 to confirm your license status.
REAL ID compliance and photo requirements
Pennsylvania driver's licenses are REAL ID compliant, which means they meet federal standards for identification at airports and federal buildings. Your current Pennsylvania license is already REAL ID compliant, so you don't need to do anything special during renewal to maintain that status.
You must provide a new photo if your current license photo is more than 10 years old, if you're over 65 and your photo is more than 5 years old, or if you request a new photo. If you need a new photo, you must renew in person at a PennDOT office. Bring the same documents you would for any in-person renewal.
If you're renewing online or by mail and your photo is still current, you'll keep the same photo on your new license. This is the fastest and cheapest option if you don't need a new photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Pennsylvania license if I have an out-of-state address?
No. Your Pennsylvania license must match your current address in Pennsylvania. If you've moved out of state, you need to get a license from your new state. If you've moved within Pennsylvania, you must update your address in person at a PennDOT office or through the online renewal process if you're also renewing your license at the same time.
What if I lost my license before it expired?
You need to replace it, not renew it. Go to a PennDOT Driver's License Center with proof of identity and proof of your address. You'll pay a replacement fee (different from the renewal fee) and receive a new license on the spot. Bring your Social Security card or other proof of your Social Security number.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license arrives by mail in about 10 business days. You'll receive a confirmation number when ready after you complete the online transaction. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you can print your confirmation number and carry it with you as proof that you've renewed.
Can I renew my license if I have a suspended or revoked license?
No. You cannot renew online or by mail if your license is suspended or revoked. You must visit a PennDOT Driver's License Center in person. The office will tell you whether you can renew or whether you need to resolve the suspension or revocation first. Call 717-787-2937 to find out your license status before you visit.
Do I need to take a new written test or vision test when I renew?
No, not for a standard renewal. You only need to retake the written and vision tests if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you're renewing a commercial driver's license, or if PennDOT requires it for other reasons. For a regular renewal, you just need to submit your current information and photo.