Pennsylvania Learner's Permit Requirements

The first step in Pennsylvania’s licensing process is the learner’s permit. The learner's permit allows new drivers to practice driving with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a parent, guardian, or person in loco parantis or spouse who is at least 18 years of age and who has a valid driver license in the front seat.

Learner’s Permit Eligibility Requirements

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for your learner's permit.

Getting Your Learner's Permit

To get your learner's permit, go to the Driver License Office with the following completed forms, documents and payment:

• A completed Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180). Be sure to have your health care provider complete the back of the Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180). The form must be completed no earlier than six (6) months prior to your 16th birthday. All information must be completed. If the Driver License Examiner cannot determine whether the information on the Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180) meets medical standards, your learner’s permit may be delayed. You may be required to undergo additional medical examinations. If you have a condition that seriously impairs your ability to drive, you may be required to get a dual control learner’s permit and learn to drive with a certified instructor.
• If you are under 18 years of age, your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older must complete the Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD). If the parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older cannot accompany the applicant, the DL-180TD must be signed by the parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older in the presence of a notary. Proper identification is required and if last names are different, verification of relationship is needed.
• Proof of date of birth and identification. These documents must be originals (photocopies will not be accepted). Forms of identification that may be used to prove your identity are on the back of the Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180) along with fees.
• Your Social Security card (card must be signed).
• If you are over 18 years of age, you must also present two (2) proofs of residency:
• Current utility bills (water, gas, electric, cable, etc.)
• Tax records
• Lease agreements
• W-2 Form
• Current Weapons Permit (U.S. Citizens only)
• Mortgage documents
• A check or money order made payable to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for the correct amount. Cash, debit or credit cards cannot be accepted.

At the Driver License Center, your vision will be tested and you must pass the Knowledge Test on signs, laws and driving rules.

After meeting these requirements, you will be issued a learner’s permit, which is valid for one year.

After Receiving Your Learner’s Permit

After you have your learner's permit, you may practice driving with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older and holds a driver’s license in the front seat. Drivers under the age of 18 cannot have more passengers in the vehicle than the number of seat belts.

The next step in the licensing process is to earn your junior driver's license.

To qualify for your junior driver's license, here's what you need to do:

• Hold your learner's permit for at least 6 months.
• Complete at least 65 hours of behind-the-wheel skill-building including no less than 10 hours of nighttime driving and 5 hours of bad weather driving.
• Pass the Road Test.

If you do not pass the Road Test after 3 tries, you will have to apply for a new permit and retake the Knowledge Test and vision exam. After passing both the Knowledge Test and the vision exam and being granted a new permit, you may schedule for the next available opening for the Road Test. You do not need to wait another 6 months with the new permit to take the Road Test.

If your learner’s permit expires, you may obtain a Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application to add/extend/replace/change or correct your learner’s permit (DL-31). If you have not taken or successfully completed the Road Test within 3 years of your physical examination date, you must start over with another Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application and retake the Knowledge Test.

Like the learner’s permit, there are some limitations to the junior driver’s license. They are:

• You may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older is with you. However, you may drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. if you are involved in public or charitable service, if you are a member of a volunteer fire company or if you are employed during those hours. In these cases, you must carry a notarized affidavit or certificate of authorization from your employer, supervisor or fire chief indicating your probable schedule of activities. This notarized affidavit should be kept with your driver’s license.
• You may not carry more passengers than seat belts available in the vehicle you are driving.
• You may not carry more than one (1) passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member unless a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older is in the vehicle with you. After the first six (6) months of driving on a junior license, the limit is increased to no more than three (3) passengers under the age of 18 who are not immediate family members unless a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older is in the vehicle with you. The increased limit does not apply to any junior driver who has ever been involved in a crash in which you were partially or fully responsible or who is convicted of any driving violation.
• You will receive a mandatory 90-day suspension if you accumulate six (6) or more points or are convicted of driving 26 miles per hour (mph) or more over the posted speed limit.

The next step will be moving on to your unrestricted driver license.