I just got my driver’s license in December 2017 and I would like to share the process and suggestions for getting a driver’s license in PA.
1. 5 General Steps
- DL-180 Application form
- Physical exam
- Study the manual
- Permit test
- Road test
2. DL-180 & Physical Exam
DL-180
Download here
Fill in the form
- First page only
- Left second page blank for the doctor
Physical Exam
Search for a local medical center that offers physical exam for driver’s license application
- If you are a student, your school health center will offer such service for free. But the waiting time could be pretty long
- Other facilities will ask for a fee (I think mine is $30 something) but generally you can just talk in and get it done without an appointment
- Take your DL-180
- It takes much longer than expected, mainly because of the waiting. The actual exam is very general and quick
3. Permit Test
Study the Manual
- PDF here
- All test questions are identical as the manual
- There are apps for practice so you don’t have to print out the pdf (search for PA permit test)
Go to a DMV with Required Documents
- If you are an international student 18 years older:
- Passport
- State ID (optional but makes things easier)
- I-20
- I-94
- SSN or SSN denial letter
- DL-180 with physical exam results and doctor’s signature
- 2 Proof of residence: Bank statement; Utility bill: gas, electricity, internet; Lease Contract
- Check or money order of $35.5 (Penn Dot doesn’t take cash)
- A convenient check at PNC takes $1.5 while a money order takes $3.5
- You can also get a money order from CVS or other drugstore
2. If you are a resident
- Proof of identity
- Social security card
- DL-180 with physical exam results and doctor’s signature
- 2 Proof of residence: Bank statement; Utility bill: gas, electricity, internet; Lease Contract
- Check or money order of $35.5 (Penn Dot doesn’t take cash)
2. If you are less than 18
- Fill in the DL-180TD form instead of DL-180
- Everything else is the same
Steps
- Get a waiting number
- Bring all the documents to an officer
- Take a very easy eye screening: Glasses allowed
- Use DMV’s computer to take the permit test: 18 questions in total; Pass if you got 15 correct
- Results will show after each questions
- If you pass the permit test, go back to the officer and get your permit
- Valid for one year
- 3 chances for you to take the road test
- Early arrival is suggested to avoid waiting
4. Road Test Prep
Schedule a road test
- Through DMV website if you have SSN
- Call 1–800–423–5542 (and wait for half an hour for an agent) if you don’t
Preparation
Practice on the exact test location is strongly suggested
A lot of driving school offer such class. An instructor will take you to the exact location where you will be tested and went through the whole process with you for multiple times. One thing I found very helpful is that I was able to do parallel parking at the exam spot and remember the distance for things.
You can also pay and use the driving school’s vehicle for your test. Then you don’t need to worry about car insurance or registration or bring a friend who is older than 21 with you. Also, those instructors are most likely friends with the examiners cos they take students to test so many times every week. It’s also a way to leave the examiner a good impression that this person got some proper standard training instead of learning from his teenage sibling.
Get a car to take the test with
- Take a smaller car, better a coupe or compact. SUVs still need to be parallel parked at the same spot
- The car owner needs to be 21 or older with a valid driver’s license
- If you own an international license, you can go alone
On the day of road test
- Arrive 15 min earlier
- Take your permit and passport/photo ID
- The car’s registration, insurance, the license of the person who are going with you
- Park the car in the waiting area
- Go inside of the office and sign in on a sheet
5. Real Road Test — 3 parts
Vehicle controls
- Turn on different turning lights, high beam, low beam, window shield wiper, braking lights (which you just need to hit on your brake)
- Sometimes they also ask the defrost button
- No climate control questions
Parallel parking
- Get inside of the space within 3 reverses
- Signal when pulling in and out
- Check for blind spot when getting out
Driving
- Be super careful of pedestrians. Any potentially dangerous move will be a big mistake
- Never exceed the speed limit
- Be careful for light signaling, look more in the mirrors
- More head movement, especially for blind spot when changing lanes
- Complete stop at stop signs
Results
Go back to the office and the examiner will let you know if you passed
- It’s not that easy to pass at the first time because there are so many things that could go wrong
If you passed, then take a photo at the DMV
- 2 chances only and no editing
Go back home with your driver’s license after 5 min
