Category: Pennsylvania

Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Every Pennsylvania learner’s permit starts with the DL-180, the Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application, and its back page is a physical exam your health care provider must complete. The physical can be done no earlier than six months before your 16th birthday, and the form is then valid for one year from the exam date. This guide covers the physical, the parent consent form, vision standards, documents, fees and the rules once you hold the permit.

Key facts

• Apply on or after your 16th birthday; the physical can be done up to six months before.
• DL-180 valid one year from the physical exam date.
• Under 18: parent or guardian consent on form DL-180TD.
• Vision below standard: you get form DL-102 for an eye doctor.
• Fee (as of November 2026): $45.50 for the initial permit and four-year license.
• Permit valid one year.

The DL-180 physical: timing and what it involves

• Who completes it: your health care provider fills in the back of the DL-180. Every section must be completed.
• Earliest date: no earlier than six months before your 16th birthday.
• How long it lasts: one year from the exam date. If you have not passed the knowledge test within that year, you need a new DL-180.
• Medical review: if the examiner cannot tell whether the form meets medical standards, your permit may be delayed and more exams may be required. A condition that seriously impairs driving can mean a dual-control learner’s permit and lessons with a certified instructor.

Worked example

A learner turns 16 on June 1. The physical can be done from December 1 of the year before. The DL-180 then stays valid until the anniversary of the exam date, so a December 1 physical covers testing until the following December 1, about six months after the 16th birthday.

Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD)

If you are under 18, a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse aged 18 or older completes the DL-180TD. If that person cannot come with you, they must sign it in front of a notary. They need proper ID, and proof of relationship if last names differ. The DL-180TD is also where a parent can consent to the organ donor designation for an under-18.

Other choices on the forms. You can ask for the organ donor or veterans designation on your license; veterans need an other than dishonorable discharge. You can also add an optional donation to the organ donation or veterans’ trust funds. PennDOT must collect your Social Security number, but it is not printed on your permit or license and is not part of your public driving record.

Pennsylvania vision standards and the DL-102

Your vision is screened at the Driver License Center unless your health care provider or optometrist tested it for the DL-180. Poor vision in one eye does not automatically stop you getting a license, but you may be required to wear glasses or contacts, be limited to daylight driving, or drive only vehicles with side mirrors. If you do not meet the standard, the examiner gives you a Report of Eye Examination (DL-102). An optometrist, ophthalmologist or family doctor completes it, then you return to continue testing.

Documents checklist for a Pennsylvania learner’s permit

• Completed DL-180 (do not mail it).
• DL-180TD if under 18.
• Original proof of date of birth and identity. The back of the DL-180 lists what is accepted.
• Your Social Security card (signed).
• Over 18: two proofs of residency, such as current utility bills, a W-2, tax records, a lease, mortgage documents or a current weapons permit (US citizens only).
• Payment: debit or credit card, check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. No cash.

Pennsylvania learner’s permit fees (as of November 2026)

Item	Fee
Initial permit and four-year license (Class C)	$45.50
Of which: Class C permit	$6.00
Of which: four-year photo license	$39.50
Adding, extending or replacing a Class A, B or C permit	$6.00

PennDOT’s junior permit guide (PUB 178) lists $63.50 for Class C and Class M permits together. Check the Payments and Fees page before you pay.

Junior learner’s permit rules (under 18)

• Drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or older, or a licensed parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse aged 18 or older, sitting in the front seat.
• No more passengers than seat belts.
• Wait six months from the permit issue date and complete 65 hours of practice before the road test. See the 65-hour log guide.
• Driving in another state on a PA permit: check with your insurer and that state first. See driving with a permit in another state.

Extending or replacing a permit (DL-31)

If your permit expires or you fail the road test three times, apply with form DL-31. PUB 178 says you do not need another physical unless three years have passed since your last one. If you have not passed the road test within three years of the physical, you start over with a new DL-180 and retake the knowledge test.

Common questions

Can my school nurse or any doctor do the DL-180 physical?

The manual says your health care provider completes the back of the form. Check the DL-180 itself for who may sign.

Can I get the physical done before I turn 16?

Yes, up to six months before your 16th birthday. You still cannot apply for the permit until you are 16.

How long is a Pennsylvania learner’s permit good for?

One year from the issue date.

Does my parent have to come with me?

Not if they sign the DL-180TD in front of a notary.

What happens if I fail the vision screening?

You get a DL-102 for an eye doctor to complete, then return to the center to continue.

What is on the knowledge test?

See the Pennsylvania permit test guide. For every step to a full license, see learning to drive in Pennsylvania.

Sources

• PennDOT, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual, PUB 95 (4-21)” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Chapter 1: Applying for a Learner’s Permit”, Online Driver’s Manual (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Get a Learner’s Permit” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “A Guide to Obtaining a Pennsylvania Junior Learner’s Permit and Junior Driver’s License, PUB 178 (7-23)” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Payments and Fees” (pa.gov)

Photo: Mr. Matté, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Pennsylvania permit test (PennDOT calls it the Knowledge Test) has 18 multiple-choice questions, and you need 15 correct to pass, so you can miss 3. It covers traffic signs, Pennsylvania driving laws and safe driving practices from the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual (PUB 95). You take it at a PennDOT Driver License Center, once per day at most. This guide covers what to bring, the languages offered, retakes and how to study.

Key facts

• 18 questions, 15 correct to pass.
• One attempt per day, at any location. After a fail, you can retest the next business day.
• Written and audio versions in 30 languages, on request.
• Taken in person at a Driver License Center, along with a vision screening if your provider did not test your vision.
• Fee (as of November 2026): $45.50 for the initial permit and four-year license, paid when you apply.

How many questions are on the PA permit test?

18, all multiple choice. The pass mark is 15 correct (about 83%). The questions come from three areas: signs, Pennsylvania driving laws, and safe driving practices.

What to bring to the Pennsylvania knowledge test

• Your completed DL-180 with the physical section filled in by your health care provider. Do not mail it.
• Under 18: the Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD).
• Original proof of date of birth and identity. Photocopies are not accepted. PennDOT lists a US passport and passport card among accepted documents.
• Your signed Social Security card.
• Over 18: two proofs of residency.
• Payment by debit or credit card, check or money order. No cash.
• Your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.

Full details are in the DL-180 physical and permit guide.

Languages for the Pennsylvania permit test

PennDOT’s online manual lists written and audio versions, on request at all Driver License Centers, in: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Cambodian, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Mandinka, Nepali, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Voice (read-aloud) tests are offered for people who have trouble reading. A sign language interpreter can be arranged for deaf or hard of hearing applicants. Call 717-412-5300 at least two weeks ahead and give three possible dates.

If you fail the PA permit test

1. The examiner hands back your DL-180 and DL-180TD. Keep them safe; you need them for the retest.
2. You cannot test again that day at any center.
3. Come back the next business day or later.
4. The DL-180 is valid for one year from your physical, so retest within that year or you need a new physical.

Can you take the Pennsylvania permit test online?

No, not as a general option. PennDOT’s pages direct you to a Driver License Center. Since November 2025, a two-year pilot has let students at Williamson and Cowanesque Valley high schools in Tioga County take the knowledge test at school. PennDOT will review the results before deciding on anything wider.

How to study for the Pennsylvania knowledge test

• Read PUB 95 Chapters 2, 3 and 4. These hold the signs, driving skills and driving record content, and each ends with review questions and an answer key.
• Use PennDOT’s free question sets. The Test Your Knowledge page has Question Sets 1 to 3, one per chapter.
• Try the official practice app. PennDOT’s PA Driver’s License Practice Test app is free for Android and Apple.
• Learn the numbers. Questions often turn on figures. Examples from PUB 95:

Rule	Pennsylvania figure
School zone speed when lights flash	15 mph
Maximum distance from curb when parking	12 inches
No parking near a fire hydrant	Within 15 feet
No parking near a crosswalk at an intersection	Within 20 feet
No parking near a railroad crossing	Within 50 feet of the nearest rail
Passing a bicycle	At least 4 feet
BAC limit, 21 and over / under 21	.08 / .02
Points that trigger PennDOT action	6
Report a change of address	Within 15 days

For the point and DUI rules behind several questions, see the Pennsylvania point system and DUI guide.

What happens after you pass

You get a learner’s permit valid for one year and can start practicing with a qualified supervisor. PennDOT suggests booking your road test right away, for a date on or after the eligibility date printed on the permit. Under-18s can book up to six months ahead. Next steps: the 65-hour driving log and the road test.

Common questions

How many can you get wrong on the PA permit test?

3. You need 15 of 18 correct.

Is the Pennsylvania permit test hard?

It is short, so each mistake counts for a lot. Working through the review questions at the end of Chapters 2, 3 and 4 covers the same topic areas.

How long do I have to pass after my physical?

The DL-180 is valid for one year from the date of your physical. After that you need a new physical before testing.

Is there an eye test with the permit test?

Yes, unless your health care provider or optometrist tested your vision on the DL-180. If you do not meet the standard, you get a DL-102 eye report form to take to an eye doctor.

How does PA compare with other states?

See permit test questions by state. For the full licensing route, see learning to drive in Pennsylvania.

Sources

• PennDOT, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual, PUB 95 (4-21)” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Testing”, Online Driver’s Manual (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Test Your Knowledge” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Get a Learner’s Permit” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Payments and Fees” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Remote Learner’s Permit Knowledge Testing Pilot Expands Access to Driver Licensing Services” (pa.gov)

Photo: Jay Brand, Pexels

To get a driver’s license in Pennsylvania, you get a DL-180 physical from your health care provider, apply for a learner’s permit on or after your 16th birthday, and pass a vision screening and an 18-question knowledge test at a PennDOT Driver License Center. If you are under 18, you then hold the permit for at least six months and log 65 hours of supervised driving before the road test. Passing the road test gets you a junior license, which has a curfew and passenger limits until it becomes a regular license. This guide follows the six chapters of the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual (PUB 95) and links to a detailed guide for each step.

Key facts for Pennsylvania learners

• Earliest permit application: your 16th birthday. The DL-180 physical can be done up to six months before that.
• Knowledge test: 18 multiple-choice questions, 15 correct to pass, one attempt per day.
• Under 18: permit held six months, plus 65 hours of practice including 10 at night and 5 in bad weather, certified on form DL-180C.
• Road test: three tries per permit. Under 18, wait seven days after a fail.
• Junior license: no driving 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. (with exceptions), and limits on passengers under 18.
• Fee (as of November 2026): $45.50 for the initial permit and four-year license. Driver License Centers take cards, checks and money orders, not cash.

How to get a driver’s license in PA, step by step

1. Study PUB 95. The manual is free on PennDOT’s website, with an audio version and review questions for Chapters 2, 3 and 4.
2. Get the DL-180 physical. Your health care provider completes the back of the Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180), no earlier than six months before your 16th birthday. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian also completes the consent form DL-180TD. See the DL-180 physical and permit guide.
3. Pass the vision screening and knowledge test. Take your forms, original ID documents, Social Security card and fee to a Driver License Center. See the Pennsylvania permit test guide.
4. Practice for at least six months. Log 65 hours with a qualified supervisor. See the 65-hour log (DL-180C) guide.
5. Book and pass the road test. Book online at a PennDOT center or with a certified third-party tester. See the road test guide, the parallel parking test guide and how third-party road testing works.
6. Drive on a junior license. Follow the curfew and passenger rules. See Pennsylvania junior license rules.
7. Move to a regular license. Either apply early with form DL-59 after a year on the junior license, or wait until it converts automatically at 18. See getting a regular license early.

Pennsylvania license stages at a glance

Stage	Earliest	Main rules
Learner’s permit	16th birthday	Supervisor in the front seat; no more passengers than seat belts; valid one year
Junior license (Class C)	Six months after the permit is issued (under 18)	11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew; passenger limits; 90-day suspension at 6 points or 26 mph over
Regular license	After one year on a junior license, with conditions; automatic at 18	Full privileges

Adults 18 and older also start with a learner’s permit and need the knowledge and road tests, but the six-month wait, the 65 hours and the junior restrictions apply to under-18s. Applicants over 18 must bring two proofs of residency, such as a current utility bill, W-2, tax records or a lease.

What each chapter of the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual covers

Chapter 1: learner’s permit, license classes and tests

Permit application, vision standards, the junior permit and junior license rules, license classes, and the knowledge and road tests. The Class C license covers ordinary cars, pickups and vans, from age 16. If your vision does not meet the standard, the examiner gives you a Report of Eye Examination (DL-102) for an eye doctor to complete.

Chapter 2: signals, signs and pavement markings

Points the knowledge test often checks:

• A traffic light that is not working is treated as a four-way stop.
• You may turn right on red after stopping, unless a sign says no. You may also turn left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
• When school zone lights flash, the limit is 15 mph. Speeding in a school zone adds 3 points to your record and a fine.
• The stop sign is the only eight-sided sign. Yield signs are triangles.

For the national background, see US road signs by shape and color.

Chapter 3: learning to drive

Vehicle checks, driver factors (attention, alcohol, drugs), space and speed management, turning, merging, intersections, highways, parking, work zones, railroad crossings, sharing the road, school buses, emergency vehicles, the Move Over law and driving emergencies. A few Pennsylvania specifics:

• Park no more than 12 inches from the curb. No parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign or flashing signal at the roadside.
• In every posted work zone, turn on your headlights, not just daytime running lights. Fines are doubled for some violations in active work zones, including speeding.
• Leave at least 4 feet when passing a bicycle. You may cross the double yellow line to do it when safe.
• Horse-drawn buggies and riders: leave plenty of room behind a buggy, which may roll back after stopping. Pass slowly, never sound your horn near a horse, and leave a wide gap before pulling back in.
• Funeral processions: yield to them. Once the lead vehicle has entered an intersection, the rest may follow through it, and you must not cut into the line unless police or the funeral director’s staff direct you.
• Open-bed trucks: no faster than 35 mph with anyone riding in the bed, and no child under 18 in the bed, apart from narrow farm and hunting exceptions.

See Pennsylvania’s Steer Clear and Move Over law.

Chapter 4: your driving record

The point system, traffic stops, crashes, fleeing police, DUI, underage drinking and the Driver’s License Compact. Under 21, a blood alcohol level of .02 counts as DUI. See the Pennsylvania point system and DUI guide.

Chapter 5: laws and related issues

• Report a name or address change to PennDOT within 15 days.
• Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts. Passengers 8 to 17 must buckle up in any seat.
• Children under 4 ride in a car seat and children 4 to 7 in a booster seat. Under 2, rear-facing until they outgrow the seat’s limits.
• Air bags: keep your seat belt on and sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel. Never put a rear-facing child seat in front of an air bag.
• Never leave a child or pet alone in a parked car, even with a window cracked. Heat can reach deadly levels in about 10 minutes.
• Disabled parking spaces are only for a vehicle showing a disability plate or placard and carrying that person. Misuse means a fine of $50 to $200 and possible towing.
• Throwing litter from a vehicle can bring a fine of up to $300, and the driver can be fined for passengers’ litter too.
• Vehicles need a safety inspection every 12 months. Many counties also require an emissions inspection. If police spot faulty equipment, you may have five days to fix it to avoid a citation.
• Before opening your door on a street, check your mirrors and open it with your far hand (the “Dutch Reach”), so you turn and see any cyclist coming.
• Driving around a road-closed sign for flooding or other hazards brings 2 points and a fine of up to $250, or up to $500 plus response costs if rescuers are called.
• Texting while driving is banned. Since June 5, 2026, using a hand-held device while driving (including at red lights) can bring a $50 fine plus costs under Paul Miller’s Law. See the Pennsylvania texting and hands-free law guide.

Chapter 6: references

Road test and special point exam appointments, the third-party testing program, forms and publications, free statewide and county maps, 511PA traffic information and carbon monoxide safety.

New to Pennsylvania?

If you hold a valid license from another state or Canada, you must get a Pennsylvania license within 60 days of moving and surrender the old one. Visitors with a valid foreign license can drive for up to one year from entering the US, or until the license expires if sooner. See moving to Pennsylvania and transferring a license.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in Pennsylvania?

16. You cannot apply before your 16th birthday, but the DL-180 physical can be completed up to six months earlier.

How soon can a teen get a junior license in PA?

Six months after the permit issue date, once the 65 hours are certified and the road test is passed. For someone who gets a permit on their 16th birthday, that is about 16 and a half.

Can I take the Pennsylvania permit test online?

Not in general. The knowledge test is taken at a Driver License Center. A two-year remote testing pilot started in November 2025 at two high schools in Tioga County.

Is driver’s ed required in Pennsylvania?

Not for the junior license. You need an approved driver training course only to get a regular license before 18.

How much does a Pennsylvania learner’s permit cost?

As of November 2026, PennDOT lists $45.50 for the initial permit and four-year license. Check the Payments and Fees page before you go.

Where can I compare Pennsylvania with other states?

See how to get a driver’s license in the US and GDL laws by state.

Sources

• PennDOT, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual, PUB 95 (4-21)” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Chapter 1: Applying for a Learner’s Permit”, Online Driver’s Manual (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Testing”, Online Driver’s Manual (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Get a Learner’s Permit” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Payments and Fees” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Remote Learner’s Permit Knowledge Testing Pilot Expands Access to Driver Licensing Services” (pa.gov)
• Pennsylvania State Police, “Statewide Enforcement Initiative to Uphold Paul Miller’s Law” (pa.gov)

Photo: Ii2nmd, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yes. Pennsylvania is one of the few states with mandatory medical reporting. Under Section 1518(b) of the Vehicle Code, physicians and other providers who diagnose or treat disorders must report in writing to PennDOT, within 10 days, the full name, address and date of birth of any patient aged 15 or older who has a condition that could impair safe driving. Conditions expected to last less than 90 days do not need to be reported. Reports are confidential, and PennDOT’s Medical Unit decides what happens next.

This page explains the reporting law. Whether your own condition affects your driving is a question for your doctor.

Who must report?

• Physicians
• Podiatrists and chiropractors
• Physician assistants
• Certified registered nurse practitioners
• Other persons authorized to diagnose or treat disorders and disabilities defined by PennDOT’s Medical Advisory Board

PennDOT’s pages give the age threshold as 15 or older, which covers teens applying for a learner’s permit. The state regulation (67 Pa. Code § 83.6) is worded as 16 and older, so the two sources differ slightly.

Which conditions are reportable?

Category	Examples PennDOT lists
Seizures and consciousness	Seizure disorder; periodic loss of consciousness or awareness
Vision	Visual acuity less than 20/70 after correction, and field of vision standards
Other physical conditions	Unstable diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, cerebral vascular insufficiency, and some joint, limb and neuromuscular conditions expected to last more than 90 days
Mental conditions	Cognitive impairment, inattentiveness (for example from hallucinations or delusions), suicidal contemplation, excessive aggressiveness
Substances	Use of any drug or substance known to impair skill or function

Hearing standards apply only to school bus drivers. A broken leg is PennDOT’s example of something that does not need reporting, because it is expected to heal within 90 days.

How doctors report

• A letter, PennDOT’s Initial Reporting Form (DL-13), or a condition-specific form.
• Sent to PennDOT’s Medical Unit by mail or fax, or online by providers registered for a medical reporting login.

Confidentiality and immunity

• Reports are confidential and used only to decide whether a person is qualified to drive.
• PennDOT will not release the source or content of a report, even to the patient.
• Providers who report are immune from civil and criminal liability for giving the required information.
• Providers who fail to report could be held responsible as a proximate cause of a crash and may be convicted of a summary offense.
• PennDOT says HIPAA does not prevent disclosure to PennDOT, so your consent is not needed.

What happens after a report

1. PennDOT’s Medical Unit evaluates the report.
2. It may ask you for more specific medical information or to take a driver’s examination, or it may take no action.
3. Restrictions may be added or removed, and your license (or permit) may be recalled or restored.

PennDOT says more than half of the people reported have impairments serious enough to merit recall of driving privileges. A recalled license can be restored once PennDOT’s evaluation shows you meet the standard. For what PennDOT needs in your case, call PennDOT’s Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300 for your specific case.

What this means for teen and new drivers

• You still answer the health questions on your learner’s permit application and the DL-180 physical honestly. See Pennsylvania learner’s permit and the DL-180 physical.
• A diagnosis like epilepsy or diabetes is reportable only if it could impair your driving; stable, well-managed conditions may lead to no action.
• If you have low vision, the bioptic route is explained in Pennsylvania bioptic driving.

How Pennsylvania compares

Most states rely on voluntary reports. See Does your doctor have to report you to the DMV? for the national picture, Seizure-free periods for a driver’s license by state, and Learning to drive in Pennsylvania for the full licensing process.

Back to the hub: Driving with a medical condition or disability in the US.

Sources

• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Medical Reporting FAQs” (pa.gov)
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Medically Impaired Driver Law” (pa.gov)
• Pennsylvania Code, 67 Pa. Code Chapter 83, “Physical and Mental Criteria, Including Vision Standards Relating to the Licensing of Drivers” (pacodeandbulletin.gov)

Photo: Ii2nmd, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yes, you can get a driver’s license in Pennsylvania using a bioptic telescope, but PennDOT runs a separate, step-by-step program. You need an eye exam on form DL-102BD with plotted visual fields of 120 degrees, proof you have owned your bioptic for three months, and 10 hours of passenger training before you even get a permit. Permit holders then complete 65 hours of driving (20 with a low vision rehabilitation specialist and 45 with a licensed driver aged 21 or older), pass a reassessment, and take the skills test. The license is restricted: no freeways, vehicles up to 10,000 pounds, and possibly a radius limit.

This page explains PennDOT’s licensing steps. Whether a bioptic is right for you is a question for your low vision optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Pennsylvania bioptic program at a glance

Stage	What you need	Form
1. Eye exam	Optometrist or ophthalmologist exam with plotted visual fields showing 120 degrees in the horizontal meridian	DL-102BD Bioptic Lens Vision Examination
2. Own the device	Proof you have owned a bioptic telescope lens system for the previous three months
3. Passenger training	At least 10 hours as a front-seat passenger with a Low Vision Rehabilitation Specialist, wearing the lens	DL-70BD log sheet
4. Permit application	Learner’s permit application, ID, residency, Social Security card, and a Letter of Enrollment with a PennDOT-approved specialist who is a CDI or CDRS	DL-180
5. Medical approval and knowledge test	PennDOT’s Medical Unit approves, then you take the knowledge test	Bioptic Telescope Lens Permit issued
6. Driving practice	20 hours with the specialist, plus 45 hours with a licensed driver 21 or older (including 5 hours in adverse weather): 65 hours total	DL-71BD driving log
7. Reassessment	The specialist re-evaluates you and, if you are ready, submits the reassessment	DL-72BD
8. Skills test	PennDOT’s Medical Unit sends a Driver Skills Test letter; you then book the test

CDI means Certified Driver Instructor and CDRS means Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist.

Rules while you hold the bioptic permit

• Wear the bioptic lens every time you drive.
• Drive only from 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset.
• Log all supervised hours on the DL-71BD.

How the 65 hours compare with the standard Pennsylvania teen log is covered in Pennsylvania 65 hour driving log (DL-180C) explained. Bioptic drivers use the DL-71BD instead, with the specialist hours built in.

Restrictions on a Pennsylvania bioptic license

• No freeway driving.
• Passenger vehicles up to 10,000 pounds only; no motorcycles.
• Driving may be limited to a set radius around your home.
• If your acuity through the lens is worse than 20/50, you are limited to daylight hours.

Can you drive at night?

You can apply for night driving after holding the Pennsylvania bioptic license for at least one year if:

1. your acuity through the lens is better than 20/40
2. you have had no violations or reported crashes in that year
3. a PennDOT-approved CDI/CDRS low vision rehabilitation specialist re-evaluates you and recommends night driving

Moving to Pennsylvania with a bioptic license

• You need at least three years of driving experience on a valid bioptic license. Time on a permit does not count.
• Your driving record must be clean for the three years before you apply.
• A low vision rehabilitation professional must assess you and confirm you can drive safely with the lens in Pennsylvania.
• Complete the DL-102BD and DL-72BD and take everything to a driver license center.
• The knowledge test is waived, but you still take a skills test.

General transfer steps are in Moving to Pennsylvania and transferring an out-of-state license.

Fees

PennDOT’s bioptic page does not list fees separately. The usual permit and license fees apply; check the current figures in Pennsylvania driver’s license costs and how to book your PennDOT tests or on PennDOT’s site. Specialist training and eye exams are charged by the providers.

Medical reporting and vision

Pennsylvania is one of the states where health care providers must report patients with conditions that could impair driving, and vision is on the list. That is separate from the bioptic program but explains why PennDOT’s Medical Unit is involved. See Pennsylvania doctor reporting to PennDOT. The standard learner’s permit physical is covered in Pennsylvania learner’s permit and the DL-180 physical.

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania’s 65-hour program is one of the most detailed in the country. Compare other states in Bioptic driving laws by state and Driver’s license vision rules in the Northeast.

Want to practise the eyesight check? Our sister site Driving Eyesight Test has a free US letter chart on drivingeyesighttest.com. It is a practice screen only, not an eye test, and it cannot assess bioptic vision.

Back to the hub: Driving with a medical condition or disability in the US.

Sources

• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Driving with Bioptics” (pa.gov)
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Medical Reporting FAQs” (pa.gov)

Photo: dfirecop, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Every Pennsylvania car insurance policy makes you choose between limited tort and full tort. Limited tort is cheaper but restricts your right to sue for pain and suffering after a crash; full tort keeps that right. This guide is for new Pennsylvania drivers and parents adding a teen. It explains the choice in plain terms, lists the required minimum coverages and covers what to do after a crash, as of November 2026.

Key facts

• Required in Pennsylvania: $5,000 medical benefits, $15,000 / $30,000 bodily injury liability and $5,000 property damage liability, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.
• Limited tort: you can still recover medical and other out-of-pocket costs, but not pain and suffering unless the injury is a “serious injury” or another legal exception applies.
• Full tort: unrestricted right to sue the at-fault driver, including for pain and suffering. It costs more.
• No choice made = full tort. State law says you are treated as having chosen full tort unless you sign for limited tort.
• The choice covers your household, including minors in your custody, unless they are named on their own policy.

Limited vs full tort in Pennsylvania: what each one means

	Limited tort	Full tort
Medical bills and out-of-pocket costs from the at-fault driver	Yes	Yes
Pain and suffering (non-economic loss)	Only for a serious injury or another exception in the law	Yes, for any injury
Premium	Lower (the Insurance Department calls the savings “significant”)	Higher
How you get it	You must sign to elect it	The default if you don’t sign for limited tort

What counts as a “serious injury”?

Pennsylvania law (75 Pa.C.S. section 1702) defines it as a personal injury resulting in death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. Whether an injury meets that bar is decided case by case, which is why limited tort can be hard to predict.

When limited tort drivers keep full rights anyway

Under 75 Pa.C.S. section 1705, someone on limited tort can recover as if they had full tort when the at-fault driver:

• is convicted of, or accepts ARD for, DUI in that crash
• is driving a vehicle registered in another state
• intended to injure themselves or someone else
• did not carry the required insurance (with a limit on uninsured motorist claims in section 1731)

Limited tort drivers also keep full rights against businesses that design, make, repair or service vehicles for a defect, and when injured as an occupant of a vehicle that is not a private passenger vehicle, such as a bus.

Who your tort choice applies to

This is the part families miss. The election made by the named insured applies to every “insured” on the policy who is not a named insured on another policy. The law defines an insured as someone living in your household who is:

• your spouse or another relative, or
• a minor in your custody or a relative’s custody

So if parents choose limited tort, a teen driver or passenger living with them is usually bound by it too. With two or more named insureds, any one of them can make the election for all of them. The choice carries over to renewals and replacement policies with the same insurer until you sign the other option.

Edge cases

• Two policies with different choices: you are bound by the policy for the vehicle you were in at the time of the crash, if you are insured on it, and by full tort otherwise.
• No car and no policy: someone who doesn’t own a registered car and isn’t insured under any policy keeps full rights to sue.
• Uninsured owners: the owner of a registered car without insurance is treated as having chosen limited tort.

Pennsylvania minimum coverage and common add-ons

Coverage	Required?	Minimum or note
Medical benefits	Yes	$5,000, pays your and covered people’s medical bills whoever caused the crash
Bodily injury liability	Yes	$15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
Property damage liability	Yes	$5,000 (or a $35,000 combined single limit from some companies)
Uninsured / underinsured motorist	Optional	Covers injuries, not property. Stacked unless you reject stacking
Collision	Optional	A $500 deductible applies unless you ask for lower. Lenders usually require it
Comprehensive	Optional	Theft, fire, flood, vandalism, hitting an animal
Income loss, funeral benefit, extraordinary medical	Optional	Extraordinary medical pays costs over $100,000, up to $1.1 million

The Insurance Department stresses there is no such thing as a “full coverage” policy. Pennsylvania’s minimums are among the lowest in the country: compare them in minimum car insurance by state.

Teen driver considerations in Pennsylvania

• Some insurers want the teen added at the learner’s permit stage, according to the Insurance Department. Ask yours before the first practice drive. More: adding a teen driver to car insurance.
• Driving out of state on a permit? PennDOT’s manual says to check with your insurer and the other state that your learner’s permit is valid there.
• Ask about discounts for good grades and completed driver education, which the Insurance Department says many companies offer.
• Your tort choice binds the teen. If you pick limited tort to save money, your teen’s right to claim pain and suffering is limited too.
• Junior license rules still apply. See Pennsylvania junior license rules and the point system and underage drinking rules.

What to do after a crash in Pennsylvania

1. Stop at or near the scene. Move off the road if you can.
2. Call the police if anyone is hurt or killed, or if any vehicle needs to be towed.
3. Swap details: names, addresses, phone numbers, registration numbers, insurance companies and policy numbers. Get witness names too.
4. Hit a parked car or property? Stop and try to find the owner. If you can’t, leave a note with the date, time, your name and phone number, and call the police.
5. Report form: if the police don’t investigate and someone was injured or killed, or a vehicle had to be towed, send a Driver’s Accident Report Form (AA-600) to PennDOT within five days.
6. Record it: the Insurance Department suggests noting the date, time and place, the other cars’ year, make and model, and the officer’s name and report number, and taking photos.
7. Call your insurer on the number on your insurance card.

By law, an insurer has 10 working days to acknowledge your claim (unless it pays within that time) and must finish investigating within 30 days unless that isn’t reasonably possible, in which case it must explain the delay every 45 days. Full national steps: what to do after a car crash in the US.

Driving without insurance in Pennsylvania

PennDOT’s manual says that if your vehicle was uninsured for 31 days or longer, your registration is suspended for three months, and if you drove or let someone drive it uninsured, your license is suspended for three months as well. To restore them you need proof of current insurance and the restoration fees. Insurers report cancellations to PennDOT, and Pennsylvania law does not require a grace period for late premium payments.

Common questions

Is limited tort worth it for a new driver?

It saves money but restricts claims for pain and suffering for everyone in your household on the policy. Ask your insurer for quotes under both options so you can see the actual price difference before deciding.

What happens if I never return the tort form?

You are treated as having chosen full tort and are charged the full tort premium. Insurers must send a second notice if you don’t answer within 20 days.

Can I change from limited to full tort later?

Yes. Your choice stays in force until your insurer receives a signed form electing the other option.

Does limited tort stop me claiming my hospital bills?

No. You can still recover medical and other out-of-pocket expenses. Limited tort only restricts non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Can an insurer refuse me because I picked full or limited tort?

No. Section 1705 bars insurers from cancelling, refusing to write or refusing to renew a policy based on the tort option.

Is my out-of-state teen at college covered by my tort choice?

The law applies the choice to relatives who reside in your household. Where a student counts as living is a question for your insurer.

Back to the full route: learning to drive in Pennsylvania.

Sources

• Pennsylvania Insurance Department, “Auto Insurance” and “Auto Insurance Guide” (pa.gov)
• Pennsylvania General Assembly, “75 Pa.C.S. section 1705, Election of tort options” and “section 1702, Definitions” (palegis.us)
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual (PUB 95)”, Chapters 1 and 4 (pa.gov)

Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For a Pennsylvania learner’s permit you bring the Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180), signed off by your health care provider. You also need original proof of date of birth and identity, your signed Social Security card and the $45.50 fee. Under 18, add the Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD). 18 and older, add two proofs of Pennsylvania residency. This checklist is for Pennsylvania teens, parents and adult first-timers.

The Pennsylvania permit checklist

Bring	Who needs it	Watch out for
DL-180, front completed by you	Everyone	Don’t mail it. Bring it to the center.
DL-180 back (physical) completed by your health care provider	Everyone	No earlier than six months before your 16th birthday. Every field filled in.
DL-180TD Parent or Guardian Consent Form	Under 18	Signed in front of a notary if the signer can’t come with you
Proof of date of birth and identity	Everyone	Originals only. Accepted documents are listed on the back of the DL-180.
Social Security card	Everyone	Must be signed
Two proofs of residency	18 and older	See the list below
Glasses or contacts	If you wear them	Vision is screened at the center if your provider didn’t test it
Payment: $45.50	Everyone	Card, check or money order. No cash at Driver License Centers.

The DL-180 physical: timing matters

Your health care provider completes the back of the DL-180. PennDOT won’t accept it if it was completed more than six months before your 16th birthday. Plan the appointment for the months just before you turn 16. If the examiner can’t tell whether the information meets medical standards, your permit may be delayed and you may need more exams. A condition that seriously affects driving may mean a dual-control permit and lessons with a certified instructor. More: Pennsylvania learner’s permit and the DL-180 physical.

How long the physical lasts: one year before the permit is issued, then three years after. That matters if you need to renew the permit later.

The DL-180TD consent form (under 18)

• Who signs: a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or a spouse who is 18 or older.
• If the signer comes with you, they sign at the center.
• If they can’t come, they sign in front of a notary.
• The signer needs proper identification. If their last name differs from yours, bring proof of the relationship, such as a birth certificate showing the parent’s name.

Proof of date of birth and identity

PennDOT lists the accepted documents on the back of the DL-180. They must be originals, because photocopies aren’t accepted. A U.S. passport works, and PennDOT accepts both the passport book and the passport card. For most U.S.-born teens the simplest choice is a birth certificate with a raised seal, issued by a government vital records office. A hospital or souvenir certificate doesn’t count.

No birth certificate? Order one from the vital records office in your birth state. PennDOT warns that some states take up to six months, so start early. If you were born in Pennsylvania, the Department of Health’s standard certificate, including the “short form”, is fine. PennDOT names VitalChek as the only authorized vendor for online orders.

Social Security card

Bring your Social Security card. PennDOT says it must be signed, so sign it before you go if you haven’t. Lost it? You can request a free replacement from the Social Security Administration. Allow time for it to arrive.

Proof of residency (18 and older: bring 2)

PennDOT’s learner’s permit page lists:

• Current utility bills (water, gas, electric, cable and so on)
• W-2 form
• Tax records
• Current weapons permit (U.S. citizens only)
• Lease agreements
• Mortgage documents

Planning on a REAL ID? The document set

REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. You don’t need it to drive. You do need it, or another federally accepted ID such as a passport, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities. PennDOT charges a one-time $30 REAL ID fee on top of the standard fee. Ask at the center whether you can get it with your first permit or license, or later. The document set:

1. One proof of identity and lawful status: U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal, valid U.S. passport or passport card, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization, unexpired employment authorization card, valid green card, or certain foreign passports with a visa and I-94.
2. One proof of Social Security number in your current legal name with all 9 digits: Social Security card, W-2, SSA-1099, non-SSA-1099 or pay stub.
3. Two proofs of Pennsylvania residency on paper, not electronic: for example a utility bill, auto insurance card, PA vehicle registration, W-2 or pay stub, tax records, lease or mortgage, or any mail that has gone through the U.S. Postal Service.
4. Proof of legal name change, if your name has changed.

All REAL ID documents must be originals or certified copies. Non-citizens without a Social Security number bring an original SSA ineligibility letter. REAL IDs issued at regular Driver License Centers are mailed within 15 business days. Same-Day REAL ID Centers issue them on the spot. More: REAL ID and your first license.

Then take the knowledge test

With your documents checked, you take the 18-question knowledge test (15 correct to pass). No appointment is needed. Pass, and you get a learner’s permit valid for one year. Prepare with the Pennsylvania permit practice test and PA permit test guide. Fees and booking: Pennsylvania license fees and test booking.

Common questions

Can I bring a photocopy of my birth certificate?

No. PennDOT requires originals for date of birth and identity.

Does my Social Security card really have to be signed?

Yes. PennDOT’s permit page says the card must be signed.

When can I get the DL-180 physical done?

No earlier than six months before your 16th birthday.

Do I need proof of residency if I’m 16?

PennDOT’s permit page asks for two residency proofs from applicants over 18. For a REAL ID, PennDOT asks every applicant for two residency proofs.

Can my older sibling sign the DL-180TD?

Only if they are your legal guardian or stand in loco parentis. Otherwise a parent or guardian signs. Spouses 18 or older can also sign.

I’m moving to Pennsylvania. Same list?

Different rules apply if you already hold a license. See moving to Pennsylvania.

Full journey: learning to drive in Pennsylvania. Compare states: US first permit documents checklist.

Sources

• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “Get a Learner’s Permit” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “REAL ID Document Requirements” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “REAL ID in Pennsylvania” and “REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “Driver’s Test Scheduling Frequently Asked Questions” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “Payments and Fees” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180)” (pa.gov)

Photo: K, Pexels

In Pennsylvania one fee, $45.50, covers your initial learner’s permit and your first four-year driver’s license. You pay it when you apply for the permit. Knowledge tests need no appointment. Road tests do: book online through PennDOT’s Online Driver’s Test Scheduling Service or by phone, or book directly with a certified third-party tester. This guide covers PennDOT’s fees, payment rules, booking, retests and permit extensions.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• Initial permit and four-year license: $45.50.
• Extending or replacing a Class C permit: $6.
• REAL ID: optional, one-time $30 on top of the standard fee.
• Knowledge test: walk in, one attempt per day.
• Road test: appointment only, no same-day booking, 3 tries per permit.
• Driver License Centers take cards, checks and money orders, but no cash.

PennDOT fees for new drivers

Item	Fee
Initial permit and four-year license	$45.50
Initial permit and two-year license (age 65+)	$33.50
Adding, extending or replacing a Class A, B or C permit	$6.00
Initial motorcycle permit and four-year license	$57.50
Initial Class M permit, initial permit and four-year license	$63.50
Out-of-state new driver, four-year license	$39.50
Four-year license renewal	$39.50
Duplicate or replacement license	$42.50
REAL ID (one-time)	$30.00 plus the standard fee
Change of address	No fee

PennDOT’s fees page lists no separate knowledge test or road test fee for a Class C license at a Driver License Center. Third-party road testers charge their own “market-driven” fee.

What a teen typically pays PennDOT

• $45.50 at the permit stage. That’s the permit plus the first license.
• $6 if the permit has to be extended or replaced before you pass.
• $30 more if you choose REAL ID.

Driver education and third-party test fees are separate and set by the provider.

How to pay

• Driver License Centers: debit or credit card, check or money order. No cash.
• Riverfront Office Center customer counter: card, check, money order or cash.
• A returned check costs $62 or more.

The knowledge test: no booking needed

PennDOT doesn’t take appointments for the knowledge test. Go to any Driver License Center with your completed DL-180 (physical filled in), your DL-180TD consent form if you’re under 18, your identity documents and the fee. The test has 18 questions and you need 15 right. You can take it once a day, so a fail means coming back the next business day. Checklist: Pennsylvania permit documents checklist. Test guide: PA permit test with 18 questions.

How to book a Pennsylvania road test

When you’re eligible

• Under 18: at least six months after your permit was issued, with 65 hours of supervised driving certified on the DL-180C. PennDOT’s scheduling FAQ says the 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving from a driver education course can count toward the 65.
• 18 and older: once you hold a valid permit.

Ways to book

Route	How	Notes
PennDOT Driver License Center	Online Driver’s Test Scheduling Service, or the PennDOT call center	Any center that offers your test type
Third-party tester	Contact the business directly	Same test, PennDOT-certified examiners, own fee. See third-party road testing.
High school (End-of-Course Skills Program)	Through a participating school	Classroom and skills parts of certified driver ed done, plus 65 hours (10 at night, 5 in bad weather)

Phone numbers: PennDOT’s test scheduling FAQ gives 1-717-412-5300 (hearing impaired callers dial 711). The online manual’s testing page lists 1-800-423-5542. Either should reach PennDOT. Use the online service if you can.

Booking rules

• You can’t book a road test for the same day.
• You can’t book online with a permit that isn’t valid.
• Road tests are given on the road, not on a closed course.

Retakes and permit limits

Rule	Detail
Maximum road tests	3 per permit
Wait after a fail, 18 and older	At least 1 day
Wait after a fail, under 18	7 days
Permit renewal	You can keep renewing while your physical is valid
Physical (DL-180) validity	1 year before the permit is issued, 3 years after

Used all three tries, or the permit is running out? Extend or replace it for $6. Compare other states: retake waiting periods by state.

What to bring on road test day

• Your valid learner’s permit.
• Under 18: DL-180C and DL-180TD. See the 65-hour log guide.
• The original insurance card for the car.
• The original registration card. A valid temporary registration (pink slip) is fine, but a bill of sale isn’t.
• Your accompanying driver’s valid license. PUB 95 says that driver must be a licensed driver 21 or older, or your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis or spouse who is 18 or older and licensed.

Photocopies aren’t accepted. Rental cars are only allowed if the agreement doesn’t forbid road tests or permit drivers, and many do. Foreign license holders with an International Driving Permit don’t need an accompanying driver. The test itself: PA road test vehicle check, controls and fail reasons and the parallel parking test.

Common questions

How much is a learner’s permit in PA?

$45.50, which also covers your first four-year license. There’s no second license fee when you pass.

Is the PennDOT road test free?

PennDOT lists no separate road test fee at its Driver License Centers. Third-party testers charge their own fee.

Can I pay cash at a Driver License Center?

No. Bring a card, check or money order.

Do I need an appointment for the permit test?

No. Walk in to a Driver License Center.

Can I book my road test right after getting my permit?

You can book ahead, but under 18 the test date must be at least six months after the permit was issued, and your 65 hours must be done.

Does my parent have to be in the front seat during practice?

No. PUB 95 allows any licensed driver 21 or older, or a licensed parent, guardian, person in loco parentis or spouse who is 18 or older. Whoever it is sits in the front seat.

Main guide: learning to drive in Pennsylvania. Compare: US license costs by state and how to book a DMV test appointment.

Sources

• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “Payments and Fees” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “Driver’s Test Scheduling Frequently Asked Questions” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “Get a Learner’s Permit” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, “REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions” (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual”, online edition, Testing (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Third-Party Non-Commercial Driver’s License Skills Testing Services” (pa.gov)

Photo: Hao Chen, Pexels

The Pennsylvania permit test (PennDOT’s Knowledge Test) has 18 multiple-choice questions and you need 15 correct, so you can miss only 3. This page gives you two practice sets of exactly that length, 36 original questions in all, built from the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual (PUB 95). They are unofficial practice, not PennDOT’s question bank.

Pennsylvania knowledge test: the numbers

• 18 questions, 15 correct to pass (about 83%).
• Three areas: signs, Pennsylvania driving laws and safe driving practices.
• One attempt per day. After a fail, retest the next business day or later.
• Taken at a PennDOT Driver License Center with your DL-180 and, under 18, your DL-180TD.

Documents, languages and fees: see the Pennsylvania permit test guide.

Why short tests are unforgiving

With 18 questions, every miss costs about 5.6%. Four wrong answers is a fail. Treat a practice score of 15 or 16 as borderline and keep going until you reliably hit 17 or 18.

Practice set 1 (questions 1 to 18)

1. The traffic signal at an intersection is not working at all. You should treat the intersection as:

• A. An open intersection where the main road has priority
• B. A yield intersection for side streets only
• C. A four-way stop
• D. Closed until police arrive

Answer: C. PUB 95 says a non-functioning signal is treated as though it were a four-way STOP. Manual: Chapter 2, signals.

2. At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time, side by side at right angles. Who goes first?

• A. The larger vehicle
• B. The vehicle on the right
• C. The vehicle on the left
• D. The vehicle that signals first

Answer: B. The first vehicle to arrive goes first. If two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Manual: Chapter 2, signs.

3. In Pennsylvania you may turn left on a red light, after stopping and yielding, only when:

• A. You are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street
• B. A police officer is present
• C. No oncoming traffic is visible
• D. You are turning onto a highway ramp

Answer: A. Left on red is allowed from the left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign forbids it. Right on red is allowed after a stop unless a sign says no. Manual: Chapter 2, signals.

4. A flashing yellow arrow means:

• A. The turn lane is closed
• B. Stop and wait for a green arrow
• C. Your turn is protected; oncoming traffic is stopped
• D. You may turn with caution, but must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

Answer: D. The turn during a flashing yellow arrow is not protected. Oncoming traffic has a green light. Manual: Chapter 2, signals.

5. When the yellow lights on a school zone speed sign are flashing, the speed limit is:

• A. 10 mph
• B. 15 mph
• C. 20 mph
• D. 25 mph

Answer: B. Drive no faster than 15 mph when the signals flash or during the times shown. Speeding in a school zone adds 3 points and a fine. Manual: Chapter 2, school zone signals.

6. A single broken yellow center line on a two-lane road means:

• A. The road is one way
• B. Passing is allowed on either side when it is safe
• C. Only trucks may pass
• D. No passing in either direction

Answer: B. A broken yellow center line lets traffic in either direction pass when conditions are safe. A double solid yellow line means no passing for either direction. Manual: Chapter 2, pavement markings.

7. The center line has a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line on the other side. You:

• A. May pass only at night
• B. May pass only motorcycles
• C. May not pass
• D. May pass when it is safe

Answer: C. You may pass only when the broken line is on your side. A solid line on your side means no passing. Manual: Chapter 2, pavement markings.

8. Yield signs in Pennsylvania are:

• A. Triangular
• B. Diamond-shaped
• C. Eight-sided
• D. Round

Answer: A. YIELD signs are three-sided triangles; STOP is the only eight-sided sign. Manual: Chapter 2, signs.

9. On dry pavement, what following distance does PUB 95 recommend behind the vehicle ahead?

• A. 1 second
• B. 2 seconds
• C. 4 seconds
• D. 8 seconds

Answer: C. The 4-second rule gives you time to steer or brake around a hazard on dry pavement. Leave more in bad weather, behind trucks and buses, and when driving downhill. Manual: Chapter 3, space management.

10. Pennsylvania law requires low beams when you are within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle?

• A. 200 feet
• B. 300 feet
• C. 500 feet
• D. 1,000 feet

Answer: C. Use low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following within 300 feet. Manual: Chapter 3, driving at night.

11. When must your headlights be on in a posted Pennsylvania work zone?

• A. Only at night
• B. Only when workers are present
• C. Never; parking lights are enough
• D. At all times while you travel through it, day or night

Answer: D. Headlights are required through every posted work zone, whatever the time of day. Daytime running lights alone are not enough. Manual: Chapter 2 and Chapter 3, work zones.

12. You are passing a bicycle. How much space must you leave?

• A. At least 3 feet
• B. At least 2 feet
• C. At least 6 feet
• D. At least 4 feet

Answer: D. Leave at least 4 feet. You may cross a double yellow line to do it when it is safe. Manual: Chapter 3, sharing the road.

13. A school bus is stopped with red lights flashing and stop arm extended. You are coming toward it on the same undivided road. You must:

• A. Stop only if you are behind the bus
• B. Stop at least 10 feet from the bus and stay stopped until the lights stop, the arm is withdrawn and children are safe
• C. Stop at least 50 feet away, then pass
• D. Slow down and pass carefully

Answer: B. Traffic behind and coming toward the bus stops at least 10 feet away. Not stopping brings 5 points and a 60-day suspension. See Pennsylvania’s stop, slow and move over rules. Manual: Chapter 3, school buses.

14. The only time you do not have to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing in Pennsylvania is when:

• A. You are late for school
• B. No children are visible
• C. You are on the opposite side of a divided highway, with a barrier or median between you
• D. The bus is on a one-way street

Answer: C. On the opposite side of a divided highway (barrier, guide rail or a median of grass, trees or rocks), slow down and continue with caution. Manual: Chapter 3, school buses.

15. Pennsylvania’s Move Over law requires you to:

• A. Move into a lane not next to an emergency response area or marked disabled vehicle, or slow down if you cannot
• B. Speed up to clear the area quickly
• C. Stop behind any vehicle with flashing lights
• D. Honk to warn responders

Answer: A. If you cannot move over safely, reduce speed. Breaking the law brings 2 points and a fine starting at $500. Manual: Chapter 3, Move Over law.

16. A driver under 21 in Pennsylvania is considered to be driving under the influence at a BAC of:

• A. .02 percent or more
• B. .05 percent or more
• C. .08 percent or more
• D. .10 percent or more

Answer: A. Pennsylvania’s zero tolerance rule treats .02 as DUI for drivers under 21. The adult limit is .08. See the Pennsylvania point system, DUI and underage drinking rules. Manual: Chapter 4.

17. You are arrested for DUI and refuse a breath or blood test for the first time. Your license is:

• A. Suspended for 6 months, only if you are over 21
• B. Automatically suspended for 1 year
• C. Suspended for 30 days
• D. Not affected unless you are convicted

Answer: B. A first refusal brings an automatic 1-year suspension, even if you are later found not guilty of DUI. Manual: Chapter 4, chemical testing.

18. Your accelerator pedal sticks and the car keeps speeding up. You should:

• A. Pump the gas pedal hard
• B. Turn the ignition to LOCK
• C. Shift to neutral and brake
• D. Reach down and pull the pedal up with your hand

Answer: C. Keep your eyes on the road, try tapping the pedal, then shift to neutral and brake if it stays stuck. Do not turn the key to LOCK, as you lose steering. Manual: Chapter 3, driving emergencies.

Practice set 2 (questions 19 to 36)

19. A flashing red traffic light means:

• A. The signal is being repaired; ignore it
• B. The same as a STOP sign
• C. Yield only to pedestrians
• D. Slow down and continue

Answer: B. Stop completely, look both ways, and go only when the intersection is clear. Manual: Chapter 2, signals.

20. A steady yellow light appears as you approach an intersection. You are not close enough to be inside it. You should:

• A. Turn right without signaling
• B. Stop suddenly no matter what
• C. Speed up to beat the red
• D. Slow down and prepare to stop

Answer: D. Steady yellow warns that red is about to appear. If you are already in the intersection or cannot stop safely, continue through carefully. Manual: Chapter 2, signals.

21. An orange sign with black lettering usually identifies:

• A. A scenic route
• B. A school zone
• C. A hospital route
• D. A maintenance, construction or utility work area

Answer: D. Orange signs mark work areas where workers or equipment may be on or near the road. Manual: Chapter 2, work zone signs.

22. At some highway on-ramps a signal alternates between green and red during rush hour. This is a ramp meter. You should:

• A. Use the shoulder to bypass it
• B. Ignore it if traffic looks light
• C. Enter on red if no one is behind you
• D. Wait for green before entering the highway

Answer: D. Ramp meters control the flow onto busy highways. On a single-lane ramp, one car enters on each green. Manual: Chapter 2, ramp-metering signals.

23. Who may supervise a Pennsylvania junior learner’s permit holder?

• A. Any licensed driver aged 18 or older
• B. Any passenger aged 16 or older
• C. A licensed driver at least 21, or a licensed parent, guardian, person in loco parentis or spouse who is 18 or older
• D. A driving instructor only

Answer: C. The supervisor must be one of those people and must sit in the front seat. Manual: Chapter 1, junior learner’s permit.

24. On a junior learner’s permit, how many passengers may ride in the car?

• A. No more than the number of seat belts
• B. Two
• C. Any number
• D. One

Answer: A. Drivers under 18 may not carry more passengers than there are seat belts. Manual: Chapter 1, junior learner’s permit.

25. Before a Pennsylvania driver under 18 can take the road test, how much supervised skill-building must be certified?

• A. 30 hours, including 5 at night
• B. 50 hours, including 10 at night
• C. 65 hours, including 10 at night and 5 in bad weather
• D. 100 hours, including 20 at night

Answer: C. Under 18s need 65 hours (10 at night and 5 in bad weather) and must wait six months from the permit issue date. Manual: Chapter 1.

26. A Pennsylvania junior license holder may not drive, unless an exception applies, between:

• A. 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• B. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• C. Midnight and 6 a.m.
• D. 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Answer: B. The curfew is 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis or spouse 18 or older is with you, or you carry a notarized affidavit for work, public or charitable service or volunteer fire company duty. See Pennsylvania junior license rules. Manual: Chapter 1.

27. For the first six months on a junior license, how many passengers under 18 who are not immediate family may ride with you (without a parent or guardian in the car)?

• A. One
• B. Three
• C. None
• D. Two

Answer: A. One for the first six months, then up to three. The higher limit does not apply if you have had an at-fault crash or any driving conviction. Manual: Chapter 1, junior driver’s license.

28. A junior driver faces a mandatory 90-day suspension for:

• A. One seat belt warning
• B. 6 or more points, or driving 26 mph or more over the limit
• C. Failing to renew a registration
• D. Any parking ticket

Answer: B. Six points, or a conviction for 26 mph or more over the posted limit, means a 90-day suspension for a junior driver. Manual: Chapter 1, junior driver’s license.

29. How close to the curb must you park in Pennsylvania?

• A. No more than 24 inches
• B. No more than 12 inches
• C. No more than 18 inches
• D. No more than 6 inches

Answer: B. Park no more than 12 inches from the curb. Manual: Chapter 3, parking.

30. You may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?

• A. 10 feet
• B. 15 feet
• C. 20 feet
• D. 30 feet

Answer: B. Within 15 feet of a hydrant is no parking. It is 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection and 30 feet from a stop sign, yield sign or flashing signal at the roadside. Manual: Chapter 3, parking.

31. When is a U-turn allowed in Pennsylvania?

• A. Only on curves where traffic is slow
• B. Only at the crest of a hill
• C. Only if it can be made without endangering traffic, with drivers from all directions at least 500 feet away and able to see you
• D. Anywhere, if you signal

Answer: C. U-turns are banned on curves, near the crest of a hill and where a sign forbids them. Manual: Chapter 3, U-turns.

32. Low beam headlights shine about 250 feet ahead. To avoid overdriving your headlights on a dark road, PUB 95 says you should not drive faster than:

• A. 35 mph
• B. 45 mph
• C. 55 mph
• D. 65 mph

Answer: B. At 55 mph it takes more than 250 feet to stop, which is beyond what low beams show you. Manual: Chapter 3, driving at night.

33. A front tire blows out. The car pulls hard to one side. You should:

• A. Hold the wheel tightly, stay off the brake and slowly take your foot off the gas
• B. Brake hard to stop immediately
• C. Let go of the wheel so the car straightens
• D. Accelerate to regain control

Answer: A. PUB 95 warns that braking after a blowout can make you skid and lose control. Steer smoothly to a safe spot; you can ride on the flat tire to get there. Manual: Chapter 3, driving emergencies.

34. Your brake pedal goes down farther than usual and the brake warning light is on. A helpful step is to:

• A. Speed up to reach a garage faster
• B. Pump the gas pedal
• C. Shift to a lower gear to help slow the car
• D. Turn off the engine

Answer: C. Many newer cars have split braking systems, so you may still have braking at two wheels. Push harder on the pedal, shift down, and pull over safely. Manual: Chapter 3, brake failure.

35. A blind pedestrian with a white cane is waiting to cross. You must:

• A. Continue if your light is green
• B. Yield the right of way: slow down and prepare to stop
• C. Honk to let them know you are coming
• D. Yield only in a marked crosswalk

Answer: B. Yield to blind pedestrians, whether they use a white cane, a guide dog or are being led. Manual: Chapter 3, sharing the road with pedestrians.

36. Within how many days must you tell PennDOT about a change of address?

• A. 10 days
• B. 15 days
• C. 30 days
• D. 60 days

Answer: B. Report a name or address change within 15 days. Manual: Chapter 5, laws and related issues.

Score both sets

Correct out of 18	Result on the real standard
17 or 18	Pass with a margin
15 or 16	Pass, but one bad day away from a fail
14 or fewer	Fail. Reread Chapters 2 to 4 of PUB 95

PUB 95 ends Chapters 2, 3 and 4 with review questions and an answer key, and PennDOT has free question sets and a practice app. Use them with these sets. Questions in Pennsylvania often turn on numbers: 15 mph school zones, 4 seconds of following distance, 4 feet past a bicycle, 10 feet from a school bus, 12 inches from the curb and .02 for drivers under 21.

Common questions

Are these PennDOT’s real test questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice questions written from PUB 95. The real test draws on the same three areas: signs, driving laws and safe driving.

How many can you miss on the PA permit test?

3. You need 15 of 18 correct.

Can I take the test again the same day if I fail?

No. You can retest the next business day or later, at any center. Keep your DL-180 and DL-180TD, as you need them for the retest.

Which PUB 95 chapters should I focus on?

Chapter 2 (signals, signs and markings), Chapter 3 (learning to drive) and Chapter 4 (your driving record). Chapter 1 rules on permits and junior licenses also come up.

What happens after I pass?

You get a learner’s permit valid for one year. See learning to drive in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania road test guide.

Are there practice tests for other states?

Yes. See US permit practice tests by state.

Sources

• PennDOT, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual, PUB 95”, Chapters 1 to 5 (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Testing”, Online Driver’s Manual (pa.gov)
• PennDOT, “Test Your Knowledge” (pa.gov)