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| URL | https://global.psu.edu/landing/drivers-license |
| Last Crawled | 2026-03-26 21:49:20 (15 days ago) |
| First Indexed | 2025-06-06 09:21:19 (10 months ago) |
| HTTP Status Code | 200 |
| Meta Title | Driver's License |
| Meta Description | Information for international students on how to obtain a Pennsylvania (PA) driver's license |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | 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 or DS-2019 program end date.
Internationals and their spouses who have never had a driver's license or state ID in any state in the U.S. must take the following steps:
STEP 1:
Complete Page 1 ofÂ
Form DL-180: Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application
.
STEP 2:
Go to a physician, physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner or chiropractor for a physical examination and have them complete Page 2 (back) of the DL-180. Â
Note:
 This is not required for a
Pennsylvania State ID
.
Enrolled students and scholars who have purchased the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State can request a physical exam at University Health Services (814) 863-0774.
STEP 3:
Obtain your Social Security card or request a Letter of Ineligibility, also referred to as a denial letter, from the Social Security Administration (SSA) stating that you are not eligible for a Social Security card. University Park students should go to the Social Security Administration located at 901 University Drive, Suite 2, State College, PA 16801. Commonwealth Campus students should check the
Social Security Administration’s
website to locate the closest office.
Note:
If the letter from the SSA office is rejected by the Driver’s License office (PennDOT), please contact an ISSA adviser for help.
STEP 4:
Gather the following original documents:
The completedÂ
DL-180
Valid Passport
Most recent I-94
Immigration documents (one of these, unless otherwise noted):
Valid I-20 or DS-2019
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card (in addition to your I-20 or DS-2019)
I-797, Notice of Action
Note:
See also PennDOT’s
Fact Sheet: Identification and Legal Presence Requirements for Non-United States Citizens (PUB 195NC)
for a more comprehensive list of document requirements.
Two acceptable proofs of residency in Pennsylvania, such as:
utility bills
bank statement
proof of on-campus housing
lease, etc.   Â
​STEP 5:
Prepare a check or money order payable to PennDOT for the appropriate amount. Cash is not accepted. SeeÂ
PennDOT fees
.
STEP 6:
Go to the PennDOT Photo and Exam Center in person. You cannot apply online.
Note:
See also
PennDOT’s Get a Driver License
for more information. |
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# Driver's License
International students who do not qualify for a Pennsylvania Driver's License but are in legal status in the U.S. can drive for one year with a valid international driver's license. It is recommended that they also have an [international driving permit.](http://www.drivers.com/article/207)
International students who do not qualify for a Pennsylvania Driver's License but are in legal status in the U.S. can drive for one year with a valid international driver's license. It is recommended that they also have an [international driving permit.](http://www.drivers.com/article/207)
##
### How to Get a Pennsylvania Driver's License or State ID for the First Time
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 or DS-2019 program end date.
Internationals and their spouses who have never had a driver's license or state ID in any state in the U.S. must take the following steps:
**STEP 1:** Complete Page 1 of [Form DL-180: Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application](https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-form/dl-180.pdf).
**STEP 2:** Go to a physician, physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner or chiropractor for a physical examination and have them complete Page 2 (back) of the DL-180.
**STEP 3:** Obtain your Social Security card or request a Letter of Ineligibility, also referred to as a denial letter, from the Social Security Administration (SSA) stating that you are not eligible for a Social Security card. University Park students should go to the Social Security Administration located at 901 University Drive, Suite 2, State College, PA 16801. Commonwealth Campus students should check the [Social Security Administration’s](https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp) website to locate the closest office.
**STEP 4:** Gather the following original documents:
**​STEP 5:** Prepare a check or money order payable to PennDOT for the appropriate amount. Cash is not accepted. See [PennDOT fees](http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Information-Centers/Payment/Pages/Payments-and-Fees-Page.aspx/).
**STEP 6:** Go to the PennDOT Photo and Exam Center in person. You cannot apply online.
### How to Renew Your Pennsylvania Driver's License
If you already have a Pennsylvania driver’s license, please see [PennDOT’s Driver License Renewal](http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Driver-Licensing/Pages/Renewal.aspx).
### Centre County PennDOT Photo & Exam Center
The closest PennDOT Photo & Exam Center to University Park is located at:
[812 West College](https://www.google.com/maps/place/812+W+College+Ave,+Bellefonte,+PA+16823/@40.8575088,-77.7632811,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89cea4bb40ddbdb7:0x4f695ded77dac375!8m2!3d40.8575048!4d-77.7610924)
[Pleasant Gap, PA 16823](https://www.google.com/maps/place/812+W+College+Ave,+Bellefonte,+PA+16823/@40.8575088,-77.7632811,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89cea4bb40ddbdb7:0x4f695ded77dac375!8m2!3d40.8575048!4d-77.7610924)
Phone: (800) 932-4600
(On Route 26 outside of Pleasant Gap – past the Nittany Mall)
**Hours of Operation**
Photo License Center: Open Monday through Saturday from 8:30am to 4:15pm. They are open later on Thursdays until 6:00pm.
Driver's License Center: Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30am to 4:15pm.
### Find a PennDOT Photo & Exam Center Near Your Campus
Commonwealth Campus students should visit PennDOT’s website to find the closest [Driver and Photo License Center](https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Pages/Open-Locations.aspx) and the hours of operation.
### Additional Resources
[Get a Driver's License](http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Driver-Licensing/Pages/get-driver-license.aspx)
[Driver's License Renewal](http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Driver-Licensing/Pages/Renewal.aspx)
[I](http://www.drivers.com/article/207)[nternational Driving Permit](http://www.drivers.com/article/207)
[Fact Sheet: Identification, Residency, and Legal Presence Requirements for Non-United States Citizens](https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-publications/pub%20195nc.pdf)
[Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Information on Driver’s License, Car Registration, and Insurance](http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx/)
[Pennsylvania Driver’s License Manual](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/pennsylvania-drivers-manual.html)
[Pennsylvania Driver’s License Application](https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-form/dl-180.pdf)
[Pennsylvania Driver’s License or Photo Centers](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/find-a-location)
[Social Security Office Locator](https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp)
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| Readable Markdown | 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 or DS-2019 program end date.
Internationals and their spouses who have never had a driver's license or state ID in any state in the U.S. must take the following steps:
**STEP 1:** Complete Page 1 of [Form DL-180: Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application](https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-form/dl-180.pdf).
**STEP 2:** Go to a physician, physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner or chiropractor for a physical examination and have them complete Page 2 (back) of the DL-180.
**STEP 3:** Obtain your Social Security card or request a Letter of Ineligibility, also referred to as a denial letter, from the Social Security Administration (SSA) stating that you are not eligible for a Social Security card. University Park students should go to the Social Security Administration located at 901 University Drive, Suite 2, State College, PA 16801. Commonwealth Campus students should check the [Social Security Administration’s](https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp) website to locate the closest office.
**STEP 4:** Gather the following original documents:
**​STEP 5:** Prepare a check or money order payable to PennDOT for the appropriate amount. Cash is not accepted. See [PennDOT fees](http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Information-Centers/Payment/Pages/Payments-and-Fees-Page.aspx/).
**STEP 6:** Go to the PennDOT Photo and Exam Center in person. You cannot apply online. |
| Shard | 94 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 16520191723648810894 |
| Unparsed URL | edu,psu!global,/landing/drivers-license s443 |