Pennsylvania Driver’s License Renewal (A Complete 2024 Guide)

Is your PA driver’s license about to expire?

Then you have to renew it ASAP.

Thankfully, renewing your PA driver’s license is now SUPER easy.

And we’re going to make it even easier by listing down the steps to the Pennslyvania driver’s license renewal process.

We’ll walk you through the 3 methods, as well as answer some FAQs.

There’s no time to delay, so let’s get started!

How to Renew Your Driver’s License in Pennsylvania

There are three ways to renew your driver’s license in Pennsylvania:

Online
By Mail
In Person

Now, in Pennsylvania, all drivers are given an “Invitation to Renew” — this will tell you if you are eligible to renew using any of these methods.

How to Renew Your PA Driver’s License Online

The easiest way to renew your license is online.

However, you are only eligible for this method IF:

You’re not upgrading to a REAL ID
You don’t need to change your name or other information (except address)
Your license hasn’t expired for more than 6 months
You have a license with a photo

If any of these don’t apply to you, then you need to renew in person.

If you pass, then here are the steps to renew online:

Prepare these things in advance:
1. Driver’s license number or ID number
2. Social Security Number
3. Credit or debit card
4. Printer

Go to the PennDOT website.

Log in using your driver’s license or photo ID number, birth date, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

Follow the renewal instructions.

Pay the $36.50 renewal fee with your debit or credit card.

Receive your receipt and print it out. Your new driver’s license will arrive via mail in 2 weeks.

And you’re done!

As simple and convenient as that!

How to Renew Your PA Driver’s License By Mail

Let’s say you aren’t eligible to renew online.

Well, you can choose to do your renewal through the mail.

Here are the steps:

Fill up the form on the Invitation to Renew (DL60A/DL60R) sent to you by the PA DMV. If you don’t have this notice, you can use the form DL-143 (found on the PennDOT website)

Include a $36.50 check or money order payable to PennDot. Write the amount stated in your notice.

If you are currently out of state for work or military, you need to request an out-of-state address/photo exemption. To do this, you must include a completed Out-Of-State Address/Photo Exemption form (DL-82).

Send everything to:

Bureau of Driver Licensing

P.O. Box 68272

Harrisburg, PA 17106-8272

Wait for a camera card to be mailed to you before you proceed. This should take 7-10 working days.

Once you have the camera card, bring it and a valid ID to a photo center.

Present your camera card and valid ID. They will give you your new driver’s license. Some branches may ask you to give the last four digits of your Social Security Number for verification purposes.

Sure, it requires a bit more time.

But some prefer this method to going to a renewal center.

How to Renew Your PA Driver’s License In Person

If you can’t renew online and you’re in a rush — it’s best to renew at an Online Messenger (OLM) center.

Take note that if your driver’s license doesn’t have a photo, you have no choice but to renew in person.

Here’s how it goes:

Fill up the form included in the Invitation to Renew (DL60A/DL60R) or use the form DL-143.

Visit an approved Online Messenger center and submit your application.

Take your photo.

Present your Social Security Card and a valid ID.

Pay the $36.50 renewal fee and any other fees from the center.

Receive your new driver’s license. In some cases, you may have to wait for the license to be mailed to you.

That wasn’t so bad!

Frequently Asked Questions

Got a few questions about the Pennslyvania driver’s license renewal process? These FAQs might help you out!

How long do I have to renew my license after it expires in Pennsylvania?

You have 6 months from the expiry date to renew your license. If it goes beyond that, you have to renew in person.

Can I just go to the DMV to renew my license in PA?

In-person renewals are already done through an Online Messenger (OLM) center. You don’t need to go to the DMV.

Besides that, you can choose to renew online or by mail, too.

What do you need to renew your driver’s license in PA?

You’ll need to prepare these items in advance:

A completed “Invitation to Renew” form or form DL-143
Social Security Number
Driver’s license ID or permit number
Camera card or valid photo ID
Payment of $36.50

If you’re applying online, you need a credit or debit card.

Does PA have a grace period for expired driver’s licenses?

If you drive using an expired driver’s license, you will be fined and may have to undergo license suspension.

However, if it’s about renewing your license, you have 6 months to complete your renewal after it expires. During these 6 months, you can still renew online or by mail.

Can I renew my PA license without a camera card?

Unfortunately, you need a camera card or Photo ID to renew your driver’s license. If you lose your camera card, you may send your request by filling up this form.

Do I need an eye exam to renew my license in PA?

If you’re 45 years old or older, you may have to submit a physical and vision exam to renew your PA driver’s license.

Why can’t I renew my PA license online?

You may not be eligible to renew online if:

You’re upgrading to a REAL ID
You have a name change
Your license has expired 6 months
Your license doesn’t have a photo

If any of these apply to you, it’s best to renew in person to make sure that are no inconveniences and delays in your process.

Conclusion

And that is the Pennsylvania driver’s license renewal process.

That wasn’t so hard, was it?

Even if you’re renewing your driver’s license in person, the process is still very simple.

The best part is that you don’t need to prepare a lot of documents.

So if you’re near your license expiry date, start processing it with any of these methods so you won’t have to worry about having an expired one!