Obtaining a License

All residents of Pennsylvania are required to hold a driver’s license or permit in order to operate a motor vehicle. The process of obtaining a driver’s license involves a series of tests aimed at making sure each driver is prepared to safely operate a vehicle without endangering other drivers on Pennsylvania roads.

Residents of Pennsylvania have to be 16 years of age or older in order to apply for a learner’s permit.

Applying for a Permit

According to Chapter 1 of the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual, in order to apply for a learner’s permit, residents must follow several steps. They must complete the Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180), which is included in the front of the driver’s manual, have their health care provider fill out the back of the application, have a parent or guardian complete the Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD) also found in the front of the manual (if driver is under 18), and obtain two forms of residency proof (if over 18). Proof can be in the form of utility bills, tax records, lease agreements, W-2 tax forms, weapons permits, or mortgage documents.

When it’s time to apply for the permit, the applicant must bring the above documents and the following items to the Driver License Center:

• A completed Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180)
• A completed Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD), if under 18
• Original documents proving of date of birth and identification.
• Signed social security card
• Check or money order payable to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in the most recent application fee amount

In Pennsylvania, residents must be 18 years old in order to have full driver’s privileges. Those under 18 will be given what are called Junior Driver’s Permits and Junior Driver’s Licenses until they turn 18 years of age.

Junior Driver’s Permit Requirements:

• Must have a licensed drive of at least 21 years of age, or a parent, guardian or spouse over the age of 18 in the front seat with you at all times
• Must not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless with the parent, guardian, or spouse
• May not drive with more passengers than seat belts

Once a permit holder has completed the year period, they will be allowed to take the test for the junior driver’s license. The testing process for a driver’s license is the same for applicants of any age. If the permit-holder is under 18, however, they will have a junior license and restricted driving privileges. When the junior license holder turns 18, the license will automatically cover full privileges.

Junior Driver’s License Requirements:

• Must not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless with the parent, guardian, or spouse
• May drive between those hours if it is for a public or charitable service
• May not drive with more passengers than seat belts
• May not receive over six point deductions or be convicted of driving 26 miles per hour or more over the speed limit or you will be given a 90-day suspension

Drivers with junior licenses may receive a full license once they have had the junior license for at least one year.

In order to get the license, drivers must meet these conditions:

• Pass a PA Department of Education-approved driver training coursed
• Have had no accidents in which you were partially or fully at-fault
• Have had no violations of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code for at least one year
• Have consent from a parent, guardian or spouse who is over 18

Driver’s License Testing

Testing for the license includes a knowledge test, road test, and vision test. These will all be completed at the licensing site on the date of application.

Knowledge Test

The knowledge test is designed to assess applicant’s understanding of road rules and signals. It may also cover safety hazards, such as the effects of driving under the influence. The test is made up of 18 multiple choice questions. Applicants must answer 15 questions correctly to pass. A sample test is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles.

Road Test

The road test will be conducted by an examiner from the DMV, and drivers must use their own car. Before the test, the car will be inspected for safety. If it passes, drivers may take the road test.

Drivers will need to present these documents to the examiner:

• Their learner’s permit
• Documentation of 50 hours of driving practice behind the wheel, if under 18
• Registration and insurance information for the vehicle that will be used for the test
• Accompaniment and driver’s license of a parent, guardian or spouse over 21 years of age

The test will include operating the vehicle controls, such as the horn, windshield wipers, and headlights, and parallel parking. You will also drive on roads, and the examiner will give instructions about where to go.

Driver’s Education

Driver’s education courses are not required in Pennsylvania and cannot be used as a replacement for the required 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice involved in the permit period. Driver’s education courses do include six hours of behind-the-wheel practice, and the six hours may be applied to the 50 hours.

Learning the Rules of the Road

All drivers in Pennsylvania are required to know and follow the state traffic laws in order to safely and responsibly operate a motor vehicle on state roads. When drivers are stopped in violation of traffic laws, the penalty may be a ticket, fine, or license suspension, depending on the severity of the incident. In addition, breaking traffic laws can prevent you from receiving the best car insurance rates in Pennsylvania.

The following laws are located in Chapter 33 of the Pennsylvania code:

• 3303. Overtaking vehicle on the left.
• 3304. Overtaking vehicle on the right.
• 3305. Limitations on overtaking on the left. 3306.
• Limitations on driving on left side of roadway.
• 3307. No-passing zones.
• 3308. One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
• 3309. Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
• 3310. Following too closely.
• 3311. Driving on divided highways.
• 3312. Limited access highway entrances and exits.
• 3313. Restrictions on use of limited access highways.
• 3314. Prohibiting use of hearing impairment devices.
• 3315. Passing and overtaking streetcars.
• 3321. Vehicle approaching or entering intersection.
• 3322. Vehicle turning left.
• 3323. Stop signs and yield signs.
• 3324. Vehicle entering or crossing roadway.
• 3325. Duty of driver on approach of emergency vehicle.
• 3326. Duty of driver in construction and maintenance areas or on highway safety corridors.
• 3327. Duty of driver in emergency response areas.
• 3328. Unmarked police vehicles.
• 3331. Required position and method of turning.
• 3332. Limitations on turning around.
• 3333. Moving stopped or parked vehicle.
• 3334. Turning movements and required signals.
• 3335. Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps.
• 3336. Method of giving hand and arm signals.
• 3341. Obedience to signal indicating approach of train.
• 3342. Vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings.
• 3343. Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings.
• 3344. Emerging from alley, driveway or building.
• 3345. Meeting or overtaking school bus.
• 3346. Emergency vehicles entering or leaving official garage.
• 3351. Stopping, standing and parking outside business and residence districts.
• 3352. Removal of vehicle by or at direction of police.
• 3353. Prohibitions in specified places.
• 3354. Additional parking regulations.
• 3361. Driving vehicle at safe speed.
• 3362. Maximum speed limits.
• 3363. Alteration of maximum limits.
• 3364. Minimum speed regulation.
• 3365. Special speed limitations.
• 3366. Charging speed violations.
• 3367. Racing on highways.
• 3368. Speed timing devices.