Online Services in Pennsylvania

Taking care of driving-related business is a keystone of adult life. But just because it's important doesn't mean it has to be difficult. Pennsylvania residents have a slew of online possibilities when it comes to driver and vehicle services.

Typically, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) handles motor vehicle transactions. You can see all of the state's online offerings on its PennDOT website and get more information about those programs on the state's FAQ page on the topic.

But, there are plenty of other companies dedicated to helping you take care of business without leaving home. The list below includes all of your options—both state-run and private—so you have as much information as possible when deciding how to move forward.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Services

The ability to drive gives you freedom to travel and explore, but freedom and responsibility are two sides of the same coin. To keep that privilege, you'll have to keep your car's paperwork up-to-date. Luckily, you can do so from your computer, thanks to services offered by both the Pennsylvania DOT and a number of private businesses.

PennDOT

  • Renew your vehicle registration.
  • Update the address on your registration.
  • Request a registration restoration requirements letter.
  • Apply for a retired registration rate.
  • Offer proof of insurance.
  • Pay an insurance restoration fee.
  • Check personalized plates availability.

Third Parties

  • Order auto insurance.
    • Accidents happen, and when they do, it isn't just a good idea to be prepared, it's a requirement. Prepping for the worst is best handled at home, where you can quickly and easily find the perfect policy.
  • Find motorcycle insurance.
    • Most motorcycles are built for speed, but you can find the best possible plan to cover your ride faster than a trip on any bike.
  • Get a vehicle history report and VIN check.
    • The closest thing to a crystal ball you can find—only much more accurate—this report reveals the secrets of a vehicle's past, so you can decide if it should be a part of your future. You can order one for:
      • Cars.
      • Motorcycles.
      • RVs.

PA License & Personal Records

Having your own paperwork in order is another helpful habit that will serve you well not only with the driving process but in other important aspects of life, like traveling abroad, finding a job, and selecting a place to live. If organization isn't your strong suit, there's no need to worry: a number of PennDOT programs and private companies alike can give you a hand, and you won't even have to step foot outside your home.

PennDOT

  • Renew, update, or get a duplicate:
    • PA driver's license.
    • Pennsylvania state ID card.
  • Schedule your driving test.
  • Purchase your driving record.
  • Request a license restoration requirements letter.
  • Pay your license reinstatement fee.
  • Add a veteran designation to your license or state ID.

Third Parties

  • Look up driving records.
    • A private company can find these records in a flash and let you skip out on the bureaucratic process that typically slows such transactions to a crawl.
  • Prevent identity theft.
    • The Internet has put untold amounts of information at our very fingertips. Unfortunately, that information increasingly includes private details about individuals that hackers could find and exploit for their personal gain. Be proactive about protecting your identity.
  • Change your name.
    • Haven't quite worked out your new signature yet? Don't worry—when you hire a third party to handle your name change online, you'll have all the extra time you need to perfect your penmanship.
  • Commission a background check.
    • Background checks require digging deep, making it easy to fall down the rabbit hole of various state protocols. Hire an outside company and save yourself the bad trip.
  • Obtain your criminal record.
    • There's no reasonable doubt about it: using an outside vendor to help you compile these records is much faster and easier than doing it yourself.
  • Find court records.
    • Don't object to hiring help to track down these documents when an experienced company is ready, willing, and able to get the job done for you?
  • Get public records.
    • Your records may be public, but so are everyone else's. The result is a venerable sea of available paperwork. A third-party vendor will be able to scope out exactly what you need quickly and easily.
  • Order vital records.
    • The building blocks of most major forms of identification, these records are crucial to have in your collection. Skip out on the line and let someone else dig through the files for documents like:
      • Birth records.
      • Death records.
      • Marriage records.
      • Divorce records.
  • Get your international driver's permit.
    • The great American road trip is a dream shared by many. To experience it, you'll need to have the proper documents before coming here. Let someone else sweat that detail while you stay home and pack.

Driver's Ed in Pennsylvania

Whether you already drive on a daily basis or are hoping to get your license soon, you can learn something new about how best to handle a vehicle. You can only access these educational materials in Pennsylvania through third-party vendors, but the skills and knowledge on offer could save you anything from the time, money, and frustration of retaking your driving test, to potentially even your life or the lives of others.

PA Miscellaneous Services

Haven't found the transaction you want to make? There's a good chance you can still get it done online through either PennDOT or a private service.

PennDOT

  • Register as an organ donor.
  • Add or update emergency contact information.

Third Parties

  • Pay a traffic ticket.
    • Everybody makes mistakes. Learn from your blunder but pay for it quickly online.
  • Find a traffic ticket attorney.
    • Wrongfully cited? Don't take it on the chin. Fight back with the help of an experienced lawyer.
  • Hire a DUI attorney.
    • These types of charges involve much more than paying fines. A lawyer will not only have your back, but help guide you through the complicated process.
  • Fast-track your passport.
    • Want to get away? Have no time to spare? Waiting for the government to process your passport will take weeks, or even months. Skip the line with the help of a much more nimble private company.
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