Moving is chaotic, but failing to update your address with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) can result in missed renewal notices, expired registrations, and unnecessary traffic citations.
The process you need to follow depends entirely on where you are moving from. Whether you are relocating across town or moving to Pennsylvania from across the country, the state imposes strict, legally binding deadlines for updating your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Here is exactly what you need to do to stay street-legal.
How to Change Your Address Within Pennsylvania
If you already hold a PA driver’s license and are simply moving to a new apartment or house within the state, PennDOT requires you to update your information within 15 days of your move.
You must update the address on both your driver’s license (or ID) and your vehicle registration. Fortunately, this is a fast process.
How to Update Your PA Address (Online or By Mail)
- Online (Fastest): Non-commercial drivers can update their license and vehicle registration simultaneously through the PennDOT online services portal. You will need your driver’s license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- By Mail: You can download, complete, and mail Form MV-63 (for vehicle registration) and Form DL-80 (for a non-commercial driver’s license) to the address listed on the paperwork.
Will I get a new physical license?
No. PennDOT does not automatically issue a new physical card. Instead, expect the following:
- Driver’s License: PennDOT will mail a free paper “update card” within 10 days. You must carry this alongside your current physical license.
- Vehicle Registration: If updating online, you must print your new registration card at the end of the transaction. PennDOT will not mail it.
- CDL Drivers: You cannot update your address online. You must submit Form DL-80CD in person or by mail with the required fee.
Moving to Pennsylvania: How to Transfer Your License and Registration
Relocating to PA from another state involves a completely different process. You cannot simply update your address online; you must officially transfer your out-of-state credentials.
PennDOT enforces a strict set of overlapping deadlines for new residents: you have 60 days to transfer your driver’s license, but only 20 days to register your vehicle. Because you cannot register a vehicle without a PA license, you must prioritize getting your driver’s license immediately upon arrival.
Step 1: Transfer Your Out-of-State License to Pennsylvania
Out-of-state transfers require an in-person visit to a PennDOT Driver License Center. Wait times can be unpredictable, so it is highly recommended to look into scheduling a Pennsylvania DMV appointment or arriving right when the doors open.
You will need to surrender your out-of-state license, complete Form DL-180R, and pass a basic vision screening. (You do not need to take a written knowledge or road test as long as your out-of-state license is valid or expired for less than six months).
You must bring the following original documents:
- Your out-of-state license.
- Proof of identity (such as a certified birth certificate with a raised seal or a valid U.S. passport).
- Your original Social Security card.
- Two proofs of Pennsylvania residency (such as a signed lease, mortgage document, utility bill, or W-2).
Step 2: Transfer Your Vehicle Title and Registration
Once PennDOT issues your temporary PA paper license, you must visit an authorized local tag agent or messenger service (not a Driver License Center) to transfer your vehicle.
You will need to show proof of active Pennsylvania auto insurance, your out-of-state title, and undergo a VIN verification (either by bringing the vehicle to the agent or having a certified mechanic complete Form MV-41).
Warning for financed vehicles: If you have an auto loan, your lender holds your title. The PA tag agent must formally request the title from your out-of-state lender before you can register the car. This can take several weeks, so initiate this process the moment you establish residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Out-of-state transfers require an in-person visit to a Driver License Center so PennDOT can verify your original identity documents and administer a vision test.
Driving with outdated information gives law enforcement probable cause for a traffic stop. It can result in citations that require you to monitor your driving record for new infractions, hefty fines, and serious administrative complications if you are involved in an accident and your insurance, registration, and driver’s license addresses do not match.
Yes. When bringing a vehicle in from out of state, you have exactly 10 days from the date you receive your Pennsylvania vehicle registration to get a state safety inspection (and an emissions inspection, if required by your specific county).
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