I’m not sure but if you are going to PennDOT in person check online and make sure they are open. Many offices are only open part of the week. Also I would try going on a day they aren’t giving exams there are WAY fewer people. For example the one near me is there Wed, Thur, Fri but they only do license exams on Friday. I went Wednesday morning a few months ago to renew my ID and didn’t have to wait at all.

Ok there are a few in my area so I’ll check into when they do the services. May be a 2 trip thing then. Thanks!

Depending on where you are some DMVs don't do tags. You may have to go to a specific tag shop for that.

But as long as you have the stuff needed, you can get it done the same day. (Found on PenDOT online). You'll get the full license on the spot.

Don’t forget to register to vote! Vote.pa.gov

One thing to know if you're coming from a state that has an all in one DMV - PA has a different system. Penndot has driver licensing centers. But things related to "motor vehicles" (titles, tags, registration) is handled by notaries. From talking to people that deal with a "DMV", I do think our system is better. The official Penndot deals with driver licenses and and you have a seemingly unlimited number of notaries to help with the more common vehicle related tasks. In the old days you'd look in the phone book under notaries, now you'll just search for penndot notaries on your phone.

Driver's license - you will get your real license printed in real time at the licensing center. Depending on how busy they are, you could be in and out with a license in 15 minutes.. or 2 hours. There's typically two "lines" (most of them are take a number). The first is for administrative, like if you need to actually get your license or change your address. The second is the photo and printing. I think in your case you'll be going through both. The administrative portion will collect your information and give you a temporary photo card (probably good for 30 days). You take that to the photo section where they take your picture and print your real license.

For motor vehicles - there is one singular DMV building in Harrisburg, and the rest of the state is handled by notaries that are registered with Penndot. You'll find dozens in any small town. Some will be full office buildings, some will be a shed next to a car lot, and some will be operated off of the notary's back porch. Most are listed as "online" and others not. The only difference is that the online have a computer access to Penndot's system, they can record your title/transfer immediately and print you the official documents. The non-online will give you some carbon copy and you later get your official stuff in the mail. The online ones will charge a bit more than the non-online ones. In both cases, they can register your title and give you license plates immediately. If you do happen to live close to the Harrisburg office and want that DMV experience, you can skip the notary fee altogether.

Just with the holidays, be sure to call or check their website that they're open.

PA be like: You gotta title your car 20 days after establishing residency & need a PA drivers license to do so

Also PA: You have 60 days to get your license after establishing residency

Ok den

It's too late, Dr. Oz. Go home.

https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/New-Resident-Relocation-Information/New%20Residents/Pages/Motor-Vehicle-Information-for-New-Residents.aspx

Check the list of IDs accepted (you only need one of them). One of them is "A valid Pennsylvania 15-day temporary internet driver license or identification card renewal credential and expired DL/ID."

Talk to your state rep. They have liaisons in PennDOT that can answer any question you have. It's faster too! Plus it's almost always free. Find out your Reps here.

Yes, if you have your title in hand. If there’s a lien, you’ll need to have it sent to penndot or an agent.

You cannot do the title stuff at the DL center though. You have to go to a tag/title agent or go to Harrisburg.

Seriously? Recommending that for this situation is a total abuse of that service….. people are supposed to go to their state ledge office to resolve matters that are urgent and/or dragging on… not for every little thing like “hey I just moved here and idk what to do… state rep!”

Also heads up there's usually a third tax you have to pay at tax time

Keystonecollects.com some bullshit look into it

Welcome to pa

Ha. Nope. The state reps are not for emergency at all. They are to help anyone with state issues. They have staff that are paid to do that and only that. Helping constituents is a full time job. Any state issue. PennDOT, Vital Records, SNAP, Medicaid, etc.

It is what the staff do and some even relish the job of helping people.

Ok…. Funny because I work at penndot and process a majority of the work that comes in from state reps and it’s always considered high priority and we have to do it or provide a reason why we cannot do it within three hours of receiving it… but sure… you’re supposed to go to your state rep every single time you need anything government related completed that the resources are readily available for you to find and use… it’s totally not a process that’s used to escalate the matter. I know nothing.

So you're saying if this person wants to get it done quickly and correctly, to call their state rep. Glad we are on the same page. You proved my point.

State Reps do important constituent services. They have staff that will sit with you and help you fill out these forms. Then the constituent service advisor (that's what these staff members are called) will then upload those forms to PennDOT. It's fast, reliable, and free! Don't go to an auto tag place or AAA and pay money. It's what your taxes pay for in PA!

So again, thanks for proving my point.

Yeah… imagine if everyone took your advice and went to a state rep…..

Also just because you go to a state rep is no guarantee it will be done correctly.

We reject things back all the time that come in through state rep..

They get rejected and fixed and sent back. Have you ever called a state reps' office? Lovely people who do constituent work all day long.

Yes, you'll get an ID the same day you go to the driver's license center.

Yes.. I called about unpaid child support and a lack of warrant and non accountability from Philadelphia family court or the bureau of child support enforcement… it’s been 10 years and i still haven’t been paid more than a handful of times, and he’s still not gotten a warrant with being 10s of thousands in arrears sooo …

Doesn’t always work.

And still not meant for everyday use. If it was, then notaries and county assistant offices and PA compass etc wouldn’t exist.. every state website and application would just say “contact your state rep.”

Or berkheimer, depending on the township!

🤣

Yes. When you go to the Auto Tag place (like Phoenix Auto Tags), you'll need your new license, proof of vehicle ownership, insurance, and you should be good to go.

I'd check out Phoenix if you have any more questions

I know right 😭😂 Maryland and Virginia was also fun establishing residency. Thankfully PA is our final home state

Thanks for breaking this down! Super helpful

My recommendation (as a fellow new resident) is to get a regular non-realID DL which you can get same day and then work on realID through the DMV web site.

I did this exact thing a year ago. I did not do it on the same day, but waited until the next only because the offices were not close. There should be no issue doing it the exact same day.

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