PennDOT upgrade to suspend certain services March 26

Some driver’s license services will not be available at PennDOT driver license centers on Saturday, March 26 due to a scheduled upgrade of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Problem Driver Pointer System, or PDPS.

The federal government requires states to use the system to determine if applicants have outstanding driver sanctions in other states. All outstanding sanctions must be reconciled before individuals can obtain a driver’s license or learner’s permit in another state.

“We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this required upgrade may cause our customers,” said acting PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E.

Due to the PDPS upgrade, the following services will not be available at the centers on March 26:

• Initial issuance of learner’s permits and driver’s licenses
• Extensions/replacements of learner’s permits
• Driver’s license replacements (duplicates)
• Commercial driver’s license renewals
• Out-of-state driver’s license transfers

The following services will be available as usual on Saturday, March 26:

• Initial issuance and replacement of photo identification cards
• Non-commercial driver’s license renewals (Note: The renewal can be completed provided the customer has not received a notice from PennDOT stating they have an outstanding out-of-state driver sanction.)
• Knowledge (learner’s permit) testing (Note: While knowledge testing will still be conducted at the centers, due to the system enhancement, a learner’s permit cannot be issued upon successful completion of the test on March 26.)
• On-the-road skills testing (Note: While on-the-road skills testing will still be conducted at the centers, a driver’s license cannot be issued upon successful completion of the test on March 26.)

Customers who pass the knowledge or on-the-road skills tests will need to return to the driver license center on or after the next business day to obtain their product. 

Visit the Locations Information Center on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.state.pa.us, for driver license center hours of operation.

Information courtesy of PennDOT.