StreetSmart Driving Academy

Getting your license in Pennsylvania

We are here to help you get through the licensing process as easily and effectively as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Currently, the Pennsylvania Senate is considering strengthening the laws and licensing requirements for teenage drivers. We support their efforts and will pass on any relevant information regarding these changes to you.

In Pennsylvania, the procedure for obtaining a
drivers license is as follows:

Step #1 – Learner’s Permit:

Please be aware that teens holding a Pennsylvania Learner's Permit are not permitted to drive outside the state of Pennsylvania. If they are in an accident or are pulled over for a traffic violation outside of PA, they are considered to be driving without a valid license.
A teenager can apply for a learners permit starting on his or her 16th birthday
To get a learners permit you must:

Have a medical provider complete the back of the application (found in the front of the PA driver’s manual)
Have a parent or guardian complete a consent form (found in the front of the PA driver’s manual)
Pass a vision and a knowledge test at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – testing center locations listed below

After you have studied the PA driver’s manual, you may take the vision and knowledge tests. To do so, you must go to a DMV testing center and bring the following with you:

Completed learner’s permit application
Original Social Security Card
Proof of date of birth (original birth certificate or passport)
Check or money order payment (no cash or credit cards accepted)

If you pass the knowledge and vision tests, you will be issued a learner’s permit and may begin practicing to drive
A learner’s permit is valid for 1 year and (if you are under 18) has the following restrictions:

You may only drive under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a spouse, guardian or parent who is at least 18 years of age
The supervising driver must sit in the front passenger seat
You may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless your spouse, guardian or parent is with you
You may not carry more passengers than there are seatbelts in the car

Step #2 – Junior License:

If you are under 18 when you get your learner’s permit, you must complete at least 50 hours of behind the wheel skill building before you can take the road test and get a junior license
A parent must sign a certificate of completion that the teen has had at least 50 hours of driving practice behind the wheel – Pennsylvania relies on the honor system
You must wait 6 months between the time you get your learner’s permit and the time you take the road test
To take the road test you must go to a DMV testing center and bring the following original items with you:

A certificate of completion for 50 hours of skill building signed by a parent or guardian
Valid learner’s permit
Registration for the vehicle in which you will take the test
Proof of insurance for the vehicle in which you will take the test
The driver’s license of the parent, spouse or guardian who accompanies you to the DMV

If you pass the road test you will receive a junior license that has the following restrictions:

You may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless a parent, guardian or licensed PA driver 18 years or older is with you
You may not have more passengers in the car than there are seatbelts
You will receive a 90 day suspension if you are convicted of driving 26 mph or more over the speed limit or accumulate 6 or more points
If you pass a driver training course approved by the PA Dept. of Education, have not been involved in a crash where you were responsible and have not been convicted of a violation, you may get a regular license after you have had a junior license for 1 year

Local testing centers, addresses and hours:

Location	Address	Services	Hours
Rosemont	Rosemont Square, 1149 Lancaster Ave	Photo only	Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. & Sat.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15.p.m. Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Norristown	2101 Swede Street	Driving Exam	Tues. – Sat.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
		Photo	Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. & Sat.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15.p.m. Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Frazer/Malvern	Lincoln Court Shopping Center, Route 30 and Malin Road	Driving Exam	Tues. – Sat.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
		Photo	Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15.p.m. Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Bortondale	440 South Old Middletown Road	Driving Exam	Tues. – Sat.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
		Photo	Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. & Sat.: 8:30 a.m. – 4:15.p.m. Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

All DMV locations can be contacted by calling 1-800-932-4600. For more information about license requirements, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us.