Pennsylvania driver's license renewal happens online, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT office
You can renew your Pennsylvania driver's license without visiting an office if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not had a name change since your last renewal. The online method takes about 10 minutes and costs $30.50. If you do not meet those conditions, you must renew in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center.
Pennsylvania sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes your renewal code, which you will need for online renewal. If you lose the notice, you can still renew online using your driver's license number and Social Security number instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes 10 minutes, costs $30.50, and works only if your license is not suspended and you have no medical restrictions.
- You can renew by mail using the notice PennDOT sends you, or in person at any Driver License Center if you need to update information or have restrictions.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after online or mail renewal.
- If your license is suspended or expired for more than 5 years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.
- Pennsylvania licenses are valid for four years for drivers under 65 and eight years for drivers 65 and older.
Renewing online through the PennDOT website
Go to www.dmv.pa.gov and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will need your renewal code from the notice PennDOT mailed you, or your driver's license number and Social Security number. Enter your information, review the vision and medical questions, and pay the $30.50 fee by debit or credit card.
After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to change your address before renewing, update it on the PennDOT website first.
Renewing by mail if you have the renewal notice
If you prefer not to renew online, use the renewal notice PennDOT sent you. Fill out the form, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $30.50 to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash.
Mail renewal takes about two weeks to process. Your new license will arrive 7 to 10 business days after PennDOT receives your form. Keep your current license until the new one arrives. If your notice was lost or damaged, you can request a duplicate by calling 717-412-8290 or visiting a Driver License Center in person.
Renewing in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center
You must renew in person if your license is suspended, you have medical restrictions, your name has changed since your last renewal, or your license has been expired for more than five years. Bring your current Pennsylvania driver's license, proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days).
Visit the PennDOT website to find the Driver License Center nearest you and check current wait times. Most centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and some offer Saturday hours. The renewal fee is $30.50. You will take a new photo and answer vision and medical questions. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years
If your Pennsylvania license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it—you must reapply as if getting a new license. This means you will need to visit a Driver License Center in person, provide proof of identity and residency, and take the written knowledge test and vision test. You will also need to provide proof of Social Security number and Pennsylvania residency.
The cost to reapply is $30.50 for a four-year license or $60.50 for an eight-year license (if you are 65 or older). Bring study materials or take a practice test on the PennDOT website before your appointment so you are ready for the written exam.
Updating your address or information during renewal
If you are renewing online and need to change your address, update it on the PennDOT website before you start the renewal process. Your new license will be mailed to the updated address. If you are renewing by mail or in person and your address has changed, tell the staff or write the new address clearly on your renewal form.
If your name has changed since your last license was issued—due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change—you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Driver License Center in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Your new license will reflect the updated name.
Checking your license status and renewal date
You can check when your Pennsylvania license expires by logging into your account on the PennDOT website or by calling 717-412-8290. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. Licenses for drivers under 65 are valid for four years; licenses for drivers 65 and older are valid for eight years.
If you are unsure whether you are may be able to access to renew online, the PennDOT website has a tool that checks your status. You enter your driver's license number and it tells you whether you can renew online, by mail, or must renew in person. This takes less than a minute and helps you avoid a wasted trip to a Driver License Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is already expired?
Yes, if it expired within the last five years. You can renew online, by mail, or in person using the same process as a current license. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must reapply in person and take the written and vision tests again.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after PennDOT processes your renewal. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need a license sooner, you cannot expedite the process, but you can visit a Driver License Center to get a temporary paper license that is valid for 30 days.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online using your driver's license number and Social Security number instead of the renewal code. If you prefer to renew by mail, call 717-412-8290 to request a duplicate notice, or visit a Driver License Center to pick one up in person.
Do I need a new photo for license renewal?
If you renew online or by mail, your current photo stays on your license. If you renew in person at a Driver License Center, you will have a new photo taken. You can request a new photo during online or mail renewal by visiting a Driver License Center instead.
What if my address changed since I last renewed?
Update your address on the PennDOT website before you renew online, or write the new address on your renewal form if you are renewing by mail. If you are renewing in person, bring proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days) and tell the staff your new address.