TRANSPORTATION / MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION

Drivers License
Newcomers to Pennsylvania must obtain a drivers’ license within 60 days of establishing residency. To apply, you must appear in person at one of the Driver License Centers and surrender your out-of-state driver’s license (valid or expired six months or less). Take the vision screening test and complete necessary forms. You will need to show proof of identification and residency and your social security card. Knowledge tests are not usually required for new residents with valid out-of-state drivers’ licenses.

Title & Registration
Newcomers to Pennsylvania must obtain a new vehicle registration within 20 days of establishing residency and must show a valid form of Pennsylvania identification. The out-of-state title must be relinquished at the time of issue; some lien holders may require refinancing through a Pennsylvania lending institution. Complete the registration form, available at a tag agency or Driver and Vehicle Service Center. You will need to provide proof of vehicle insurance with a company licensed to do business in Pennsylvania, VIN verification, and current title and lien information. To find your nearest Driver License Center of Driver & Vehicle Service Center, contact the state headquarters by phone or search online. For more information on drivers licensing and vehicle registration and title, contact:

Driver & Vehicle Services
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
PennDOT Central Office
Harrisburg 717-412-5300
Toll free 800-932-4600
www.dmv.pa.gov

Online Driver Services Office Guide
www.dmv.pa.gov

Safety Inspection & Emissions
Newly registered vehicles must be safety inspected within 10 days of the registration date. Inspections are performed at official inspection stations (usually a repair garage or a service station with a repair shop). The inspection fee does not include repairs that will be necessary to correct vehicle defects. Pennsylvania’s emissions testing program includes areas in Northeast Pennsylvania. For more information, contact:

PennDOT Inspection Division
Harrisburg 717-787-2895
www.dmv.pa.gov

Drive Clean Pennsylvania
Toll free 800-265-0921
www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us

Vehicle Safety Laws
Pennsylvania requires that all drivers and front-seat passengers be restrained with properly secured seat-belt (lap and shoulder) systems at all times. All children under age 18 must also be properly secured regardless of their position in the vehicle. It is strongly encouraged that all children be positioned in the rear seat for increased safety in the case of a collision. The number of seat belts must not exceed the number of passengers in the vehicle. The Child Restraint Law requires that children four years age and younger must be properly secured in a federally approved passenger restraint system. Those between the ages of 8 and 18 should be secured in a seat belt. The Pennsylvania State Police Department provides a wealth of additional information about safety including car seat tips:

Pennsylvania State Police
Information 717-783-5517
www.psp.pa.gov