DOT Driver Handbook in Pennsylvania

SUMMARY: Pennsylvania Driver's Handbook

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has available various DMV handbooks and drivers manuals to help you become a safer driver. These include the PA driver's manual, commercial driver's manual, and motorcycle operator manual. If you're interested in traffic and vehicle laws, view the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

The variety of PA driver manuals offer a ton of valuable information for new and experienced vehicle operators. Continue reading this page for links to the various DMV handbooks and driving manuals available in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Driver's Manual

On the PennDOT website, you can access the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (Form PUB 95) in both English and Spanish, as the Manual del conductor de Pensilvania (Form PUB 95S). You'll learn about the following topics and more:

  • PA junior driver's license.
  • Child restraints.
  • Drinking and driving.
  • Knowledge test.
  • How to negotiate turns.
  • Highway safety.
  • Rules of the road.
  • Becoming an organ donor.
Don't Forget an Online Practice Test!

A perfect complement to studying the Pennsylvania driver handbook is preparing for the written exam with an online practice test. These industry-leading study guides are designed to help you pass the test on your first try.

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Manual

You can view the PA Motorcycle Operator Manual (Form PUB 147) on the PennDOT website to learn all about operating a motorcycle. The driving manual covers all the following topics and more:

  • How to apply for a PA motorcycle license.
  • Traffic signals and signs.
  • Night riding.
  • Proper posture while riding.
  • Passing.
  • Navigating slick roads.
  • Motorcycle clothing.

While the DMV driver handbook includes some same test questions for your written knowledge exam, you can also take an online practice test for extra preparation.

NOTE: The motorcycle driver's handbook is also available in Spanish as the Manual del motorciclista (Form PUB 490).

Commercial Driver's Manual

To apply for a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Pennsylvania, you'll need to study the the PA Commercial Driver's License Manual (Form PUB 223), also offered in Spanish as the Manual del conductor comercial (Form PUB 265). Topics included in the CDL driving manual:

  • Commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements and fees
  • Driving safety.
  • Air brakes.
  • Tank vehicles.
  • Hazardous materials.
  • What to expect on the vehicle inspection.

To prepare for the CDL knowledge exam, you can take an online practice test in addition to studying the CDL DMV manual.

School Bus Manual

PennDOT offers a PA School Bus Driver's Manual (Form PUB 117) to help you learn about a range of topics. Included in this PA DMV handbook is information on the following:

  • Student management and discipline.
  • Loading and unloading.
  • Preventative maintenance.
  • School bus driving fundamentals.
  • Emergency procedures in a school bus.

Vehicle Code in PA

The PA Motor Vehicle Code contains all the information concerning vehicles, driver's licenses, and PA traffic laws. This is a great resource you can use in addition to the various DMV handbooks and driving manuals.

You can use this information to prepare your case when fighting a PA traffic ticket.

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