Driving in the US | Messiah, a private Christian University in PA

Getting a Driver's License

If you are an international student wanting to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license, follow the steps outlined below.

For information about driving in Pennsylavannia, please visit Pennsylvannia Department of Transportation's website by clicking here.

Please Note: To be eligible for a Pennsylvania Driver’s License, you must have at least 11 months (preferably 12 months or more) left before your I-20 Program End Date.

For students on OPT, It has been reported that PennDOT has only been issuing permits to begin on your OPT Start Date.

The legal age for non-US citizens to apply for a Non-Commericial Driver's License and/or Permit is 16 years of age.

STEP 1:

Acquire a Pennsylvania Driver's Manual from a local Driver License Center or access the digital version on PennDOT's website
Study the manual and take and some practice tests online:
- For example: http://driving-tests.org/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-practice-permit-test/

STEP 2:

Have a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner at the Engle Center conduct a physical examination and complete “Medical Qualification Certificate” in Form DL-180

STEP 3:

Visit a Driver License Center with:

The completed DL-180 form
Proof of identity: Passports, ID cards
Two acceptable proofs of residency, listed on reverse side of DL-180, if you are 18 years of age or older; i.e. Bank Statements, Tax forms
Your Social Security Card (Or a letter from Social Security stating that you cannot have a Social Security Card in case you don’t have a job on campus)
I-20 and I-94 Forms (You can obtain I-94 form online and print it out via this link: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home)
Letter of Enrollment (Contact your DSO for assistance)
A cash, check or money order payable of $35.50 to PennDOT for the appropriate fee.

STEP 4:

Take your eye screening and Knowledge Test at a PennDOT Driver License Center. Once passed, you will be issued your Initial Learner's Permit (this Permit is valid for 12 months)

STEP 5:

Schedule a road test either online or by calling 1-800-423-5542.

Please Note: Messiah University does not provide driving lessons. Every arrangement must be made between the student and the company of interest.

Remember:

When visiting a Driver License Center to take your road test, please be sure to bring the following items with you.

Your valid learner's permit
Social Security Card (In case you have not yet memorized your SSN)
Proof of vehicle insurance
Proof of vehicle registration
Accompanying driver's valid driver's license
Valid Inspection Sticker(s)

Please Note: If you have been taking driving lessons with a driving school, you can also ask them to schedule the test for you and assist you on the driving test.

* If you are planning to own a car in Pennsylvania, you must always have car insurance. In addition, your car must pass the State Inspection every year and your car must be registered with the state of Pennsylvania every year.

I am transferring to grad school but my Driver's License is set to expire 60 days after graduation. What do I do?

PennDot typically will typically set an F-1 students' license expiration date to be 60 days after the graduation date listed on their I-20. You will not be able to renew your license until you have an updated I-20 that reflects the new Program Start and End Date for graduate school. As a result, you will need to wait until your SEVIS record is transferred to the new school and the new school is ready to issue you a new I-20. Even then, the Department of Motor Vehicles typically will not allow you to apply for a license more than 30 days before your Program Start Date. As a result, it is important to think and plan ahead for your transportation needs during this time. Until you have a new/renewed license, you will not be authorized to drive in the United States.

Please Note: If you will be attending graduate school in a state other than PA, you will want to be sure to apply for a license in that state.

I am on OPT. Can I renew my license?

PennDot typically will typically set an F-1 students' license expiration date to be 60 days after the graduation date listed on their I-20. Once you have been approved for OPT and receive a new I-20 with the dates listed for OPT, you will be able to renew your license.

Students on OPT will want to obtain/renew a driver's license from the state in which they are currently living. If you are still living in PA, then you will be able to renew your license once your updated I-20 have been issued to reflect your OPT approval.

To find out which documents you will need in order to renew your license in PA, please click here. You will want to look under the category "F-1 w/ OPT" for specific instructions.