What the Reading Photo License Center Does

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Photo License Center in Reading is a physical location where you can have your photo taken and submit documents for a standard driver's license, Real ID, or identification card. You do not need an appointment — you walk in during business hours, bring the required documents, pay the fee, and leave with a receipt. Your actual license arrives by mail in about 7 to 10 business days.

This center handles the photo and document verification step that cannot be done online or by mail. If you are renewing a license that does not require a new photo, or if you are explore for a Real ID and already have a valid photo ID on file with PennDOT, you may be able to skip this step and use a different service channel. But if you need a new photo — whether for a first-time license, a renewal after your photo expires, or a Real ID upgrade — the Reading center is where that happens.

Key Takeaways

  • The Reading Photo License Center is located at 1101 Frush Valley Road, Reading, PA 19605, and operates without appointments on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • You must bring original or certified copies of documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Pennsylvania residency before you arrive.
  • The center accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card for license fees, which vary by license type and whether you are explore for Real ID.
  • Your photo is taken on-site, and you receive a receipt the same day; the physical license is mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days.
  • If you cannot visit in person, you may be able to renew by mail or through PennDOT's online portal if you do not need a new photo.

Location, Hours, and How to Get There

The Reading Photo License Center is at 1101 Frush Valley Road, Reading, PA 19605. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no Saturday or evening service at this location. Parking is available on-site.

The center is not on a reservation system, so you arrive during business hours and wait your turn. Wait times vary by day and time of day; mornings and early afternoons tend to be less crowded than late afternoon. If you arrive near closing time, staff may not be able to process your process, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before 4:30 p.m.

If you cannot visit the Reading center, PennDOT operates photo license centers in other parts of the state as well. You can find the full list and hours on the PennDOT website. You are not required to use the Reading location — any PennDOT photo license center will process your process.

Documents You Must Bring

Before you go, gather originals or certified copies of documents in three categories: identity, Social Security number, and Pennsylvania residency. PennDOT will not process your process without all three.

For identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a valid passport card, a valid military ID, a valid state ID from another state, or a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are using a birth certificate, it must be an official certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born — a photocopy or hospital copy will not work.

For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a letter from the Social Security Administration confirming your number.

For Pennsylvania residency, bring one document dated within the last 60 days showing your current Pennsylvania address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, a property tax bill, or a government-issued letter. A driver's license or ID card from another state does not count as proof of residency.

If you are explore for a Real ID, you will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number and your current address — the same documents listed above. Real ID has the same document requirements as a standard license, plus the Real ID marking on the card itself.

Fees and Payment Methods

License fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to be valid. A standard driver's license costs less than a Real ID driver's license. An identification card (for non-drivers) costs less than either. Fees also vary based on whether you are explore for the first time, renewing, or replacing a lost or stolen license.

PennDOT does not publish exact fees on their website in a way that is straightforward to find, and fees change periodically. Before you visit, call the Reading center at the number listed on the PennDOT website, or visit a PennDOT office to ask the current fee for your specific situation. This takes five minutes and prevents a wasted trip if you do not have enough cash or the right payment method.

The Reading center accepts cash, personal check, debit card, and credit card. If you pay by check, write it to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." There is no surcharge for card payments.

What Happens During Your Visit

When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give your documents to the staff member. They will review your identity, Social Security, and residency documents to make sure everything is there and valid. If anything is missing or does not meet the requirements, they will tell you what you need to bring back.

If your documents are complete, you will be asked to sit for a photo. The photo is taken against a plain background and follows federal standards — you cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or heavy makeup, and your face must be clearly visible. The photo is taken on-site and stored in PennDOT's system.

After your photo is taken, you will pay the fee and sign your process. You will receive a receipt with a confirmation number and an estimated arrival date for your license. Keep this receipt — it serves as proof that you have a valid process pending if you are stopped by police before your license arrives.

Your physical license is printed at a central facility and mailed to the address you provided. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you do not receive your license within two weeks, contact PennDOT to check the status of your process.

Real ID vs. Standard License at the Reading Center

Both Real ID and standard driver's licenses are processed at the Reading Photo License Center using the same visit and document requirements. The difference is in what the license can be used for and how much it costs.

A Real ID has a gold star or marking in the upper right corner and can be used for domestic air travel, entry to federal buildings, and entry to military bases. A standard license cannot be used for these purposes as of May 2025, though you can still use it for driving and as a form of identification for everyday purposes like banking or shopping.

Real ID requires the same documents as a standard license — identity, Social Security number, and residency proof. The fee is higher, and the process takes the same amount of time. If you think you will fly domestically or enter a federal building in the next few years, Real ID is worth the extra cost. If you only drive and do not fly, a standard license is sufficient.

If You Cannot Visit in Person

If you are unable to visit the Reading center or any other photo license center, you may have other options depending on your situation.

If you are renewing a license and do not need a new photo — meaning your current license still has a valid photo and you are straightforward renewing before it expires — you can renew by mail or through PennDOT's online portal. You will not need to visit a photo center.

If you are explore for a Real ID and already have a valid photo ID on file with PennDOT from a recent license or ID card, you may be able to upgrade to Real ID without a new photo. Check the PennDOT website or call the Reading center to ask whether your situation qualifies.

If you need a new photo and cannot visit in person, you will need to visit a photo license center at some point. There is no way around this requirement for a first-time license, a license after your photo expires, or a replacement after a lost or stolen license. However, you can visit any PennDOT photo license center in the state — not just Reading — so if another location is more convenient, you can go there instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make an appointment at the Reading Photo License Center?

No. The center operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no appointments. You arrive during business hours, check in, and wait your turn. Wait times vary, but you can call ahead to ask how busy it is at a particular time of day.

What if I do not have a certified birth certificate?

You will need to order one from the vital records office in the state where you were born before you visit the center. A hospital copy or photocopy will not be accepted. You can order a certified copy by mail or online from most state vital records offices; it typically takes one to two weeks. Bring the certified copy to the center along with your other documents.

Can I use a utility bill from someone else's name if I live at that address?

No. Your residency document must show your name and your current Pennsylvania address. If the utility bill is in a roommate's or family member's name, it will not count. Use a document in your own name, such as a lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement.

What if my license arrives damaged or with a mistake on it?

Contact PennDOT when ready with your receipt confirmation number. If the error is PennDOT's mistake, they will reissue the license at no charge. If the damage occurred after you received it, you will need to pay a replacement fee. Keep your receipt so you can prove when you received the license.

Can I get my license the same day, or do I have to wait for it in the mail?

You cannot get your license the same day. The photo is taken at the center, but the physical license is printed at a central facility and mailed to you. This takes 7 to 10 business days. Your receipt serves as proof of a valid pending process until your license arrives.