State Guide
Pennsylvania PennDOT Permit Test 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your Pennsylvania learner's permit — from filling out the application to earning your Junior License. Pennsylvania has unique requirements including a health certification form and 65 hours of supervised driving (including 5 hours in bad weather). This guide covers documents, fees, the 18-question knowledge test, and the Junior License restrictions. Ready to start practicing? Take a free Pennsylvania PennDOT practice test.
Who Can Get a Learner's Permit
To apply for a learner's permit in Pennsylvania, you must be at least 16 years old. There is no upper age limit — adults of any age who have never held a license can apply through a similar process.
If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the consent form (included in the learner's permit application).
Residency: You must be a Pennsylvania resident. You'll prove residency with documents such as a utility bill, bank statement, or other official mail showing your Pennsylvania address.
Driver education: Pennsylvania does not require driver education for a learner's permit, but completing an approved course can help you get your unrestricted license before age 18 (more on this below).
Fees and What You Pay For
The Pennsylvania learner's permit costs $35.50. This covers your permit for one year.
Important payment note: PennDOT Driver License Centers do not accept cash, debit cards, or credit cards. You must pay by check or money ordermade payable to "PennDOT" or "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." Make sure to bring the correct payment method.
Retest fee: If you fail the knowledge test, you'll need to pay a $10 retest fee for each additional attempt.
Driver education costs: If you choose to take driver education (optional but recommended), expect to pay $300 to $600 depending on the school.
Documents You Need
When you visit a PennDOT Driver License Center, bring:
1. Completed Learner's Permit Application (DL-180)
Download and complete this form before your visit. It includes the parent/guardian consent section for applicants under 18.
2. Proof of identity and date of birth
An original document such as: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or other acceptable identity document. Photocopies are not accepted.
3. Proof of Social Security number
Your Social Security card, W-2, or other document showing your full SSN.
4. Two proofs of Pennsylvania residency
Two documents showing your PA address: utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, insurance document, etc.
5. Physical Examination Form (DL-180)
A health certification signed by your healthcare provider (see below).
6. Payment
Check or money order for $35.50 made payable to PennDOT. No cash or cards accepted.
Health Certification Requirement
Pennsylvania requires a physical examination/health certification as part of the learner's permit application. This is included in the DL-180 application form and must be completed by a licensed healthcare provider.
The healthcare provider will certify that you are physically capable of safely operating a motor vehicle. This typically involves a basic health assessment — it's not an extensive physical exam.
Tip: Schedule an appointment with your doctor before visiting PennDOT to get this section of the form completed. The form must be signed and dated.
What Happens at the Driver License Center
Here's what a typical visit looks like:
1. Check in
Take a number and wait to be called. PennDOT accepts walk-ins but wait times vary by location and time of day.
2. Submit documents and payment
Present your completed DL-180 application (with health certification), identity documents, and payment. The clerk will verify everything.
3. Vision screening
You'll take a quick vision test at the counter.
4. Photo
Your photo will be taken for your permit.
5. Knowledge test
You'll take the 18-question written test on a computer.
6. Receive your permit
If you pass, you'll receive your learner's permit before you leave.
The Vision Screening
The vision screening happens at the service counter. You'll look into a vision testing machine and read letters or numbers. Pennsylvania requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye (with or without corrective lenses).
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, keep them on during the test. If you pass with corrective lenses, your permit will have a restriction requiring you to wear them while driving.
The Knowledge Test
The Pennsylvania knowledge test consists of 18 multiple-choice questionscovering:
Pennsylvania traffic laws and regulations
Road signs, signals, and pavement markings
Safe driving practices
Right-of-way rules
Alcohol and drug laws
PennDOT draws from a pool of approximately 300 questions, so the exact questions you see will vary. Study the entire driver's manual thoroughly.
The test is available in over 20 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Passing Score and Results
Pennsylvania Knowledge Test
18 questions
You must answer at least 15 correctly (83%) to pass. You can miss up to 3 questions.
When you finish the test, you'll receive your score immediately. If you pass, you'll proceed to get your permit issued.
Pennsylvania does not have a separate road signs test — sign questions are mixed into the main 18-question exam.
If You Don't Pass
If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait until the next business dayto retake it. You cannot take the test more than once per day, even if you visit multiple testing sites.
There is a $10 retest fee for each additional attempt.
There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the test. Use the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual and practice tests to study before your next attempt.
After You Pass
When you pass the knowledge test, you'll receive your learner's permit. It's valid for 1 year from the date of issue.
What comes next: You must hold your permit for at least 6 monthsand complete 65 hours of supervised driving before you can take the road test for your Junior License.
Learner's Permit Rules
While driving with a Pennsylvania learner's permit:
Supervision required: You must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old (or a parent/guardian/spouse who is at least 18) seated in the front passenger seat at all times.
All passengers must wear seat belts.
No cell phone use — Pennsylvania prohibits all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for learner's permit holders.
The 65 Hours Requirement
Pennsylvania requires 65 hours of supervised driving practice before you can take the road test for your Junior License. This is one of the highest requirements in the country.
Total hours: 65 hours minimum
Night driving: At least 10 hours must be at night
Bad weather: At least 5 hours must be in poor weather conditions (rain, snow, fog, etc.)
Keep a driving log to document your practice hours. Your parent or guardian must certify that you've completed the required hours when you apply for your Junior License.
Tip: Spread your practice over the full 6-month holding period. This gives you time to experience different driving conditions and build real skills.
Getting Your Junior License
After holding your permit for 6 months and completing 65 hours of practice, you can take the road test for your Junior License.
Requirements to take the road test:
Be at least 16 years old
Have held your permit for at least 6 months
Complete 65 hours of supervised driving (10 night, 5 bad weather)
Have parent/guardian certification of practice hours
Pass the behind-the-wheel driving skills test
The Junior License allows you to drive independently but comes with restrictions until you turn 18 (or meet certain requirements to get an unrestricted license earlier).
Junior License Restrictions
Nighttime curfew
No driving between 11 PM and 5 AM. This is sometimes called the "Cinderella License" curfew. Exceptions: driving to/from work or volunteer service (with documentation), or when a parent/guardian/spouse over 17 is present.
Passenger restriction
First 6 months: Only 1 non-family passenger under 18 allowed.
After 6 months: Up to 3 non-family passengers under 18 allowed.
Immediate family members don't count against these limits. The restriction doesn't apply if a parent/guardian is in the vehicle.
Cell phone ban
All cell phone use is prohibited while driving — including hands-free devices.
Penalties: Violations can result in a 90-day suspension for a first offense, 120 days for subsequent offenses. If you have a crash or traffic violation, the passenger restriction continues until you turn 18.
Getting an Unrestricted License
You can get an unrestricted (full) license in Pennsylvania in two ways:
Option 1: Turn 18
All Junior License restrictions automatically end when you turn 18.
Option 2: Early graduation (before 18)
You can get an unrestricted license before 18 if you:
• Complete an approved driver education course
• Maintain a crash-free and conviction-free record for 12 consecutive months
The Driver's Manual
The Pennsylvania Driver's Manual is the official study guide for the knowledge test. It's available online as a PDF on the PennDOT website.
The manual covers Pennsylvania traffic laws, road signs and signals, right-of-way rules, safe driving practices, and special situations. All test questions are based on this material.
The manual is available in multiple languages. Focus especially on road signs, right-of-way rules, and Pennsylvania-specific laws.
Practice Tests
Taking practice tests is essential for the Pennsylvania test. With only 18 questions and an 83% passing threshold, you need to be well-prepared — there's little room for error.
DMV Question Bank: For thorough preparation, take Pennsylvania PennDOT practice tests on DMV Question Bank. Practice until you're consistently scoring above 95% to ensure a comfortable margin.
Study strategy: Read the manual, take practice tests, identify weak areas, review those sections, and test again until you're confident.
Quick Reference
| Minimum permit age | 16 years old |
| Permit fee | $35.50 |
| Retest fee | $10 |
| Payment method | Check or money order only |
| Permit validity | 1 year |
| Knowledge test questions | 18 |
| Passing score | 15 correct (83%) |
| Question pool size | ~300 questions |
| Test languages | 20+ |
| Wait after failure | 1 business day |
| Max attempts | Unlimited |
| Min. holding period | 6 months |
| Supervised practice hours | 65 total |
| Night driving hours | 10 hours minimum |
| Bad weather hours | 5 hours minimum |
| Supervising driver age | 21+ (or 18+ parent/guardian) |
| Driver's ed required | No (but helps for early graduation) |
| Health certification | Required (from healthcare provider) |
| Junior License curfew | 11pm–5am |
| JL passengers (first 6 mo) | 1 non-family under 18 |
| JL passengers (after 6 mo) | 3 non-family under 18 |
| Cell phone use | Prohibited |
| Unrestricted license | At 18 (or earlier with driver's ed + clean record) |