This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Drivers License & Professional License issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Applying for a Real ID in Pennsylvania
Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID or another accepted ID to fly within the U.S. or enter some federal buildings. Learn about REAL ID and how to get one.
Driver Licenses and Photo ID
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) about drivers license and Photo ID issues.
Get in the Driver's Seat - A Guide on How to Obtain, Maintain & Restore Driving Privileges in Pennsylvania
This guide from Neighborhood Legal Services Association explains basic Pennsylvania laws and regulations that you are expected to know or that may affect driving privileges in Pennsylvania. NLSA developed this guide as a means to provide workforce development staff, caseworkers, educators, and other client advocates with the information needed to appropriately assist clients in obtaining a driver’s license, maintain driving privileges, and/or reinstating their driver’s license. [PDF] (2010)
PA Homeless Identification Card Fact Sheet
Act 131 of 2020 makes it possible for Pennsylvanians experiencing homelessness to be issued a free initial photo ID or renewal. Individuals will be required to apply in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center and must meet identification and other requirements. This fact sheet provides information on the requirements and procedure to follow.
Driver Licenses and Photo ID
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) about drivers license and Photo ID issues.
Gender Designation Options on PennDOT Driver's Licenses and Photo ID Cards
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on the process and requirements to change the gender designation on PennDOT driver's licenses and photo ID Cards. Links are provided to the form needed to complete the process and other related information. Current gender designation options on Pennsylvania driver’s licenses and photo ID cards are “M” (male), “F” (female) or “X” (non-binary).
PennDOT Online Driver and Vehicle Services
Links to online services available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Driver's License Suspension - Causes for License Suspension, Starting the Suspension, and Restoring your License
Information on causes for license suspension, starting the suspension, and restoring your license from Neighborhood Legal Services. (November 2010)
Driver's License Suspensions - Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about Driver's License Suspensions from Neighborhood Legal Services Association. [PDF] (2022)
Get in the Driver's Seat - A Guide on How to Obtain, Maintain & Restore Driving Privileges in Pennsylvania
This guide from Neighborhood Legal Services Association explains basic Pennsylvania laws and regulations that you are expected to know or that may affect driving privileges in Pennsylvania. NLSA developed this guide as a means to provide workforce development staff, caseworkers, educators, and other client advocates with the information needed to appropriately assist clients in obtaining a driver’s license, maintain driving privileges, and/or reinstating their driver’s license. [PDF] (2010)
Pennsylvania Driver's Licenses - How to Get a Driver's License, Commercial Driver's License, and Motorcycle License
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is an administrative agency responsible for issuing and regulating driver’s licenses. PennDOT has a Driver’s Manual, Commercial Driver’s Manual, and Motorcycle Manual that contains the information you need to know in order to obtain a driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, or motorcycle license. This provides information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about the requirements and process for obtaining different types of driver's licenses in Pennsylvania. [PDF] (2022)
Driving Under the Influence
It is a violation of law to operate or to be in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of both. You are in violation of the law if you operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a degree which renders you incapable of safe driving. This provides information from the Erie County Bar Association on the law about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. (2018)
What To Do If You Are Arrested
Being placed under arrest does not always mean that you have been placed in handcuffs or taken to jail. Rather, an “arrest” is any action by law enforcement that indicates an intent to take you into custody or that restricts your movement to a degree that a reasonable person would not feel free to leave the scene. Should you be arrested, you have many rights which you may want to exercise. This provides information from the Erie County Bar Association concerning your rights and what to do when arrested. (2018)
Applying for a Real ID in Pennsylvania
Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID or another accepted ID to fly within the U.S. or enter some federal buildings. Learn about REAL ID and how to get one.
Driver Licenses and Photo ID
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) about drivers license and Photo ID issues.
Gender Designation Options on PennDOT Driver's Licenses and Photo ID Cards
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on the process and requirements to change the gender designation on PennDOT driver's licenses and photo ID Cards. Links are provided to the form needed to complete the process and other related information. Current gender designation options on Pennsylvania driver’s licenses and photo ID cards are “M” (male), “F” (female) or “X” (non-binary).
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
PA Homeless Identification Card Fact Sheet
Act 131 of 2020 makes it possible for Pennsylvanians experiencing homelessness to be issued a free initial photo ID or renewal. Individuals will be required to apply in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center and must meet identification and other requirements. This fact sheet provides information on the requirements and procedure to follow.
PennDOT Online Driver and Vehicle Services
Links to online services available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Carbon Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Warren and Forest Counties: Download Forms
Forms for use in the 37th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Warren and Forest Counties.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Lehigh County Online Self Help Center
This site provides answers to some commonly asked questions concerning legal procedures in Pennsylvania. The forms provided here are specific to Lehigh County.
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Warren and Forest Counties: Download Forms
Forms for use in the 37th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Warren and Forest Counties.