Learner's Permit Checklist in Pennsylvania
Learner's Permit Checklist
How to Get Your Pennsylvania Junior Learner's Permit
- Be at least 16 years old
- Enroll in a state-approved Driver's Ed course (optional)*
- Complete a practice test (optional)**
- Make an appointment with your local PennDOT office
**How Prepared Are You for the DMV Exam?
Reading the PA driver handbook is helpful, but to ace your written permit exam, it's probably not enough—70% of applicants fail their first exam attempt even after having used traditional study methods.
Give yourself a head start. Utilize a multiple-choice online practice test, and walk into the DMV as prepared as can be!
* Completion of Driver's Ed isn't required until you're ready for your full driver's license. But it's a good idea to get a head start by enrolling now, so that you're ready to go when it's time to graduate from your permit to your license!
Bring to the PA driver license center:
- Proof of: *
- Identity.
- Pennsylvania residency (only required if you're 18 years old or above).
- Your Social Security card.
- A completed:
- Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application (Form DL-180).
- Parent or Guardian Consent Form (Form DL-180TD), signed by your parent/guardian.
- Payment for the $45.50 permit fee.
* See below for a list of acceptable documents
At the DMV...
- Submit the required documents listed above
- Pass your written knowledge exam
- Pass a vision test
- Pay the $45.50 permit fee
List of Acceptable Documents
Proof of Identity
If you are a U.S. citizen, you must provide 1 document:
- Original birth certificate with raised seal.
- Valid U.S. passport.
- Certificate of Citizenship.
- Certificate of Naturalization.
If you are a non-U.S. citizen, you must bring ALL of the following:
- All original immigration documents.
- Valid passport from country of origin.
- Written verification of EITHER:
- Employment status from employer
- Attendance status from school.
Proof of Residency
Present 2 documents (for applicants 18 years old or older):
- Lease or mortgage agreement
- W-2 form
- Tax records
- Current utility bill
All residency documents must display BOTH your name and address.
If you do not have any bills addressed to you, but you live with someone else, you may bring the person with whom you reside to show their driver's license or ID card, AND provide a piece of mail with your name and address. Both addresses must match.
For more details, see the bottom of the application form.