What a PennDOT REAL ID Driver License Is

A REAL ID driver license is a standard Pennsylvania driver license that meets federal security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. The main difference between a REAL ID license and a regular Pennsylvania license is what you can use it for: a REAL ID lets you board domestic flights and enter federal buildings without a passport or other federal ID. A regular Pennsylvania license does not.

Pennsylvania began issuing REAL ID licenses in 2009. If you have a Pennsylvania driver license issued after that date, you may already have one — look for a gold star in the upper right corner of the card. If your license does not have that star, or if you are not sure, you can check by visiting a PennDOT Driver License Center in person or calling ahead.

You do not need a REAL ID for driving. You need it only if you plan to fly domestically or enter a federal building that requires it. If you drive but do not fly, a standard Pennsylvania license works fine.

Key Takeaways

  • A REAL ID driver license has a gold star and meets federal standards for domestic air travel and federal building entry.
  • You must bring specific documents to a PennDOT Driver License Center: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Pennsylvania residency.
  • The fee for a REAL ID license is the same as a standard license, but you pay it only once when you renew or first obtain the license.
  • Processing takes a few minutes at the counter, and you receive your license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • You can find your nearest PennDOT Driver License Center and check wait times on the official PennDOT website.

Documents You Need to Bring

PennDOT requires three categories of documents when you explore for a REAL ID license. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. If a document is in a language other than English, bring a certified English translation as well.

Proof of identity: A valid U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or state ID from another state. If you are renewing a Pennsylvania license and your current license is still valid, you may use that instead.

Proof of Social Security number: Your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement from the Social Security Administration. A tax return with your full Social Security number also works.

Proof of Pennsylvania residency: A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Your name must appear on the document. A PennDOT-issued ID from another state does not count as proof of residency.

Where to Go and How to Prepare

You must visit a PennDOT Driver License Center in person. Pennsylvania has Driver License Centers in most counties. You can find the one nearest you, see its hours, and check current wait times on the PennDOT website at www.dmv.pa.gov.

Arrive with all three categories of documents listed above. Bring your current driver license if you have one. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, wear them when you have your photo taken. Bring cash or a debit card if you need to pay the license fee — not all centers accept credit cards.

Wait times vary by location and time of day. Many centers are busiest mid-morning and mid-afternoon on weekdays. If you want to check the wait time before you go, the PennDOT website updates it throughout the day for most locations.

The Cost and What Happens Next

The fee for a REAL ID driver license is the same as a standard Pennsylvania driver license. The cost depends on your age and how long you want the license to be valid. As of this writing, a four-year license costs less than an eight-year license. PennDOT updates fees periodically, so check the current fee on the PennDOT website before you go.

After you pay and submit your documents, a staff member will take your photo and signature at the counter. The whole process takes a few minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that you can use right away if you need to fly or enter a federal building within the next week or so.

Your actual REAL ID license card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. The card will have the gold star in the upper right corner. Once it arrives, the temporary paper license is no longer valid.

REAL ID vs. Standard License: When You Need Which

You need a REAL ID license if you want to board a domestic flight using only your driver license, without a passport or other federal ID. You also need it to enter certain federal buildings, military bases, and find federal facilities that require it. Most everyday federal buildings do not require a REAL ID.

You do not need a REAL ID for driving anywhere in the United States. A standard Pennsylvania driver license is legal for driving. You also do not need a REAL ID if you have a valid U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or other federal ID that you can carry when you fly.

If you are not sure whether you need a REAL ID, ask yourself: do I plan to fly domestically without a passport? If the answer is no, you can stick with a standard license. If the answer is yes, get the REAL ID version.

Renewing a REAL ID License

When your REAL ID license is about to expire, you can renew it at a PennDOT Driver License Center using the same process as a new process. You will need to bring the same three categories of documents again — proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency.

Pennsylvania also offers online renewal for some drivers, but online renewal does not include a REAL ID upgrade. If you want to renew and keep your REAL ID status, you must go to a Driver License Center in person.

Your renewed license will have the gold star if you are renewing a REAL ID license. If you are upgrading from a standard license to a REAL ID for the first time during renewal, bring your documents and ask the staff member to issue a REAL ID version.

What to Do If You Lose Your License or It Gets Damaged

If your REAL ID license is lost, stolen, or damaged, go to a PennDOT Driver License Center and request a replacement. Bring the same documents you brought for your original license: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. The fee for a replacement is the same as for a new license.

If your license was stolen, you may also want to report it to local police, though this is not required to get a replacement. A police report can help if someone tries to use your old license number fraudulently.

Your replacement REAL ID license will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, just like a new license. You will receive a temporary paper license at the counter that you can use right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a REAL ID to drive in Pennsylvania?

No. A standard Pennsylvania driver license is legal for driving anywhere in the United States. You need a REAL ID only if you want to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building using only your driver license, without a passport or other federal ID.

Can I get a REAL ID license by mail?

No. You must visit a PennDOT Driver License Center in person. You cannot renew a REAL ID online or by mail because the federal standard requires an in-person photo and signature verification.

What if I don't have a Social Security number?

You must have a valid Social Security number to get a REAL ID license. If you do not have one, you can explore for one through the Social Security Administration. Until you have a number, you can get a standard Pennsylvania driver license instead, which does not require proof of a Social Security number.

How long does a REAL ID license last?

Pennsylvania issues REAL ID licenses valid for either four or eight years, depending on which option you choose and pay for. Your license will show the expiration date on the front. You can renew it before it expires by visiting a Driver License Center again.

What if my documents are from another country?

PennDOT accepts documents from other countries if they are originals or certified copies and if any non-English text is accompanied by a certified English translation. Bring the original document and the certified translation together to the Driver License Center.