
There are three stages to getting your driver’s license in Pennsylvania:
If you are over 18, you will be able to skip straight to your Unrestricted License after passing the appropriate vision, Knowledge, and Driving tests.
If you are under 18, you will need to apply for your junior restricted driver’s license first.
You must keep your driver’s permit for six months before you can apply for a Junior Driver’s License (you can read our full PA learner’s permit guide here).
If you are under 18, you also need:
This is to ensure you gain the skills to be a responsible driver before you take your road test. If you’re over 18, you do not have this restriction, but it is still a good idea to get the same practice before the road test.
You will have three tries to pass your Pennsylvania road test. The driving test is a practical exam where you demonstrate your knowledge of laws, safety, and traffic signs on a public road. You can attempt the road test three times before you have to apply for a new permit and retake the written knowledge test.
If you pass your vision exam, knowledge test, and road test, you will be issued a junior driver’s license. You will need to practice with your junior license for one year before you can move onto an unrestricted driver’s license.
Don’t know what to study? We recommend preparing with Zutobi’s Pennsylvania practice tests and summarized driver’s handbook. There is no easier way to ace your test!
You must ALWAYS drive with a valid license holder over the age of 21. In addition, there are other restrictions:
You can find the full list on Penndot.gov’s Teen Driver Page.
You can drive unsupervised with a Junior Driver’s License, but there are heavy restrictions.
You may apply for your Junior Driver’s License by mail by filling out form DL-59 and having it notarized. The form is available online here. PennDOT will send you an updated card to carry with your Junior license, or for a fee, you can get a regular license.
You can remove the restrictions on your license in one of two ways:
OR
Getting your Pennsylvania driver’s license is an amazing milestone in life – If you are looking for study aids to help you ace the written and driving exams, check out Zutobi’s summarized Pennsylvania Driver’s Handbook and online practice tests!
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