Pennsylvania's Automatic Voter Registration at the DMV

Yes — when you get or renew a Pennsylvania driver's license, you are automatically registered to vote unless you decline. This happens through a program called Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), which Pennsylvania launched in 2020. The Department of Transportation (PennDOT) shares your information with the Department of State, which then registers you in your county.

You do not have to do anything extra to be registered. The registration happens in the background as part of your license transaction. If you are already registered to vote in Pennsylvania, the system updates your address if you moved. If you are not yet registered, you become registered on the spot — as long as you meet Pennsylvania's voter registration requirements.

The only way to stop this is to actively opt out at the time you explore for or renew your license. PennDOT must give you the chance to decline, and they must tell you clearly that you can say no. If you do not opt out, registration moves forward automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Pennsylvania registers you to vote automatically when you get a driver's license, unless you choose to opt out at the time of your transaction.
  • You must meet Pennsylvania's voter registration requirements — you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a Pennsylvania resident — for the registration to go through.
  • If you are already registered, your voter record updates with your new address from your license process.
  • Opting out is permanent for that transaction only; you will be asked again the next time you renew your license.
  • You can always register to vote separately through your county election office or online at www.votespa.com if you did not register at PennDOT.

Who Gets Registered and Who Does Not

Automatic voter registration applies to anyone getting a standard driver's license or ID card in Pennsylvania. This includes first-time applicants, people renewing an expired license, and people updating their address or other information.

However, you will not be registered if you do not meet Pennsylvania's voter registration requirements. You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old (or turning 18 within 30 days), and a Pennsylvania resident. If you are not yet 18, PennDOT will flag your record, and you will be registered automatically on your 18th birthday — as long as you still live in Pennsylvania and meet the other requirements.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can still get a driver's license in Pennsylvania, but you will not be registered to vote. The system checks citizenship status and skips registration for non-citizens.

What Happens If You Opt Out

When you explore for or renew your license, PennDOT must ask you whether you want to be registered to vote. You can say no. If you decline, you will not be registered at that time.

Opting out applies only to that single transaction. The next time you renew your license or update your information at PennDOT, you will be asked again. You can choose to opt out again, or you can allow registration to happen.

If you opt out at the DMV but later change your mind, you can register to vote on your own. You can register online at www.votespa.com, by mail, or in person at your county election office. Registration important date vary depending on the election, so check your county's website for current dates.

How Your Information Moves From PennDOT to Elections

When you submit your driver's license process, PennDOT collects your name, date of birth, address, and citizenship status. If you do not opt out, this information goes to the Pennsylvania Department of State, which oversees elections.

The Department of State uses this information to register you in your county. Your county election office receives the registration and adds you to the voter roll. You should receive a voter registration card in the mail within a few weeks, though some counties mail them faster than others.

If you move and update your address at PennDOT, that new address flows to the election system automatically. Your voter registration moves with you, so you do not have to re-register just because you got a new license with a new address.

What to Do If You Never Received a Voter Registration Card

If you got a Pennsylvania driver's license and did not opt out, but you never received a voter registration card, your registration may still be active. Voter registration cards are a confirmation tool, not proof that you are registered.

To check your registration status, go to www.votespa.com and enter your name and date of birth. The system will tell you whether you are registered, in which county, and at what address. If you are registered but the address is wrong, you can update it online or contact your county election office.

If the system shows you are not registered, you can register online through the same website. You will need your Pennsylvania driver's license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number to complete the registration.

Automatic Registration and Address Changes

One of the main benefits of automatic voter registration is that your voter address updates automatically when you update your driver's license address. You do not have to file a separate form or contact your election office.

When you renew your license or change your address at PennDOT, that new address is sent to the Department of State. Your county election office updates your voter record within a few days. This keeps your registration current even if you move within Pennsylvania.

If you move out of Pennsylvania, your voter registration in Pennsylvania will eventually be removed, but this takes time. If you move to another state, register to vote there as soon as you can. Do not rely on Pennsylvania to remove your registration automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register to vote if I am not a U.S. citizen?

No. You can get a Pennsylvania driver's license as a non-citizen, but you cannot be registered to vote. Voter registration requires U.S. citizenship. If you become a citizen later, you can register to vote through your county election office or at www.votespa.com.

What if I am 17 and getting my first driver's license?

If you are 17 but will turn 18 within 30 days, you can be registered to vote at the time you get your license. If you will not turn 18 within 30 days, PennDOT will hold your registration and set up it automatically on your 18th birthday — as long as you still meet all other requirements and still live in Pennsylvania.

Do I have to use my real name and address on my license for voter registration to work?

Yes. The information on your driver's license — your legal name and residential address — is what gets sent to the election system. If you provide false information to get a license, your voter registration will be based on that false information, which is a crime. Always provide accurate information.

What if I moved to Pennsylvania recently and just got my first Pennsylvania license?

You will be registered to vote in Pennsylvania automatically when you get your license, as long as you meet all requirements and do not opt out. You do not need to have lived in Pennsylvania for any particular length of time before getting a license, but you must be a Pennsylvania resident at the time you explore.

Can I register with a different address than what is on my driver's license?

No. Voter registration through automatic registration uses the address on your driver's license. If you need to register at a different address, you must register separately through your county election office or www.votespa.com, and you will need to explain why your voter address differs from your license address.