Pennsylvania's three ways to renew your license

PennDOT (the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) lets you renew your driver's license in three different ways: online, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office. Which route you can use depends on your license type, how much time is left before it expires, and whether you need a new photo.

If your license is still valid and you have not had any address changes, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If your license has already expired, you need a new photo, or you have moved, you must renew in person. The online method is the fastest — you can finish in minutes — but not everyone is may be able to access.

Your current license tells you when it expires. PennDOT typically sends renewal notices 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for the notice to start the process.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through PennDOT's website takes about 10 minutes and works only if your license is still valid, you have not moved, and you do not need a new photo.
  • Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and payment by check or money order.
  • In-person renewal at a PennDOT office is required if your license has expired, you have changed your address, or you need a new photo.
  • Pennsylvania licenses are valid for four years, and you can renew up to six months before expiration.
  • The renewal fee varies depending on your license type and whether you choose a standard or REAL ID license.

Online renewal: the fastest option

Online renewal is available through PennDOT's website if your current license is not expired, you have not changed your address since you got it, and you do not need a new photo. You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card).

Go to the PennDOT website, select "Driver License Services," and choose "Renew Your License Online." Answer the questions about your current license and address. If you are found to be may be able to access, you will pay the renewal fee and receive a confirmation number. Your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.

Online renewal does not give you a new photo, so your new license will look the same as your current one. If you want a new photo or if the system tells you that you are not may be able to access, you will need to use the mail or in-person method instead.

Mail renewal: no office visit needed

To renew by mail, you will need to complete Form DL-44 (process for a Pennsylvania Driver's License or Learner's Permit), which you can read from the PennDOT website or pick up at any PennDOT office. You will also need to include your current license, a completed form, and payment.

Mail your form, license, and payment to the PennDOT address listed on the form. Payment must be by check or money order — credit cards are not accepted by mail. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want your old license returned to you.

Processing takes two to three weeks after PennDOT receives your envelope. Like online renewal, mail renewal does not include a new photo. If you need a photo update or if your address has changed, you cannot use this method.

In-person renewal at a PennDOT office

You must renew in person if your license has expired, you have moved since you got your current license, or you want a new photo. Bring your current license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment.

Visit any PennDOT Driver License Center. You can find the nearest office and check wait times on the PennDOT website. Bring the documents listed above and be prepared to have a new photo taken. The office will process your renewal on the spot, and you will receive a temporary paper license to use while your permanent license is mailed to you.

Your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks. If you need to drive before it arrives, the temporary paper license is valid for 45 days.

What you need to know about fees and license types

Pennsylvania driver's licenses are valid for four years. The renewal fee depends on whether you choose a standard license or a REAL ID license. A REAL ID license costs more but can be used for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building.

You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew — you will have to explore for a new license instead, which requires an in-person visit and a written test.

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a PennDOT office.

What happens if your license expires before you renew

If your license expires and you have not yet renewed, you can still renew it as long as it has been expired for less than one year. You must do this in person at a PennDOT office — online and mail renewal are not available for expired licenses.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Pennsylvania, even if you have already started the renewal process. If you are stopped by police, you can show your renewal confirmation number or temporary paper license as proof that you have begun the process, but this does not may provide you will not be cited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have moved to a different address?

No, not through online or mail renewal. If you have changed your address since you got your current license, you must renew in person at a PennDOT office. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days.

How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?

After you complete your renewal (online, by mail, or in person), your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks. If you renewed in person, you will receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 45 days while you wait for the permanent one.

What if I need my license before the two-week delivery time?

If you renewed in person, you received a temporary paper license that is valid for 45 days. This temporary license can be used for driving, boarding flights, and other purposes while you wait for your permanent license to arrive.

Do I have to get a new photo when I renew?

Not if you renew online or by mail — your new license will use your current photo. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a PennDOT office.

What is the difference between a standard license and a REAL ID license?

A REAL ID license meets federal security standards and can be used to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. A standard license cannot be used for these purposes. REAL ID licenses cost more but are valid for the same four-year period.