Pennsylvania Teen Drivers Ed FAQ

You've got questions, and DriversEd.com has the answers. Need information about the specifics of permits and licenses in Pennsylvania? Just want to know a lot more about what we can do for you? Read on!

How does online drivers ed work?

It's simple. After you create an account (it takes less than a minute), you're all set to start your Pennsylvania drivers ed course.

Your course is available to you online 24/7. That means you can log in and out whenever you want and from any computer that has Internet access! When you log back in, we'll take you back to the exact place you left off. Doesn't that sound better than spending your weekends in a classroom?

At the end of the course, there'll be a final exam so you can measure how much you've learned. Don't worry though—you can take it as many times as you need in order to pass. Once you pass the test, we'll mail out your Certificate of Completion via First Class Mail within 1 business day.

How do I get my drivers license?

Step 1: Begin a Pennsylvania drivers education course

This Pennsylvania course, provided by Henry & Joe's Driving School and powered by DriversEd.com, can be taken online and on your own schedule.

In the past, teens had to take drivers education at a driving school. This usually meant sitting for hours in a stuffy classroom on the weekend. Now, you can take your drivers education online whenever you want. With this Department of Education-approved online Pennsylvania drivers education course, you can:

• Learn the rules of the road and essential safe driving skills
• Qualify for an auto insurance discount
• Upgrade from a junior license to an unrestricted drivers license before you turn 18

Once you have completed every lesson in the course, you'll be fully prepared to take the written exam and earn your learners permit.

Note: You must obtain your learners permit before you can take the final test in the course, as a permit is required before you can complete the course and upgrade a junior drivers license to an unrestricted drivers license.

Step 2: Apply for the Pennsylvania learners permit

To be eligible for a learners permit, you must:

1. Be at least 16 years old.
2. Submit form DL-180 "Medical Qualification Certificate," completed by a physician, physician's assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner, or chiropractor no earlier than 6 months prior to your 16th birthday.
3. Submit a completed form DL-180TD (if under 18). This form must be completed by a parent, guardian, or spouse who is 18 or older.
4. Submit proof of identity. Documents that qualify are listed on the reverse side of DL-180. Note: If you are changing your name, you must present original name change documents, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
5. Submit two acceptable proofs of residency, listed on the reverse side of DL-180, if you are 18 years of age or older. Proof of residency is not required if you are under 18.
6. Show your Social Security card.
7. Submit a check or money order payable to PennDOT for the appropriate fee. (Cash is not accepted.)
8. Pass a vision test.
9. Pass a knowledge test.

Once you pass the knowledge test, you will be issued a learners permit, valid for one year.

The learners permit has the following restrictions:

• You may drive only with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a spouse, guardian, or parent who is at least 18 years of age. This licensed driver must be seated next to you at all times in the front passenger seat.
• Drivers under 18 years old cannot have more passengers in the vehicle than the number of seatbelts.

You may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless your spouse, guardian or parent who is a licensed driver and at least 18 years of age is with you.

Step 3: Complete your Pennsylvania drivers education course

Once you have obtained your learners permit, you may finish taking the online course. After you have passed the final exam, you'll receive PennDOT form DL-59, as well as a Certificate of Completion. If you are under 18, both of these documents are required by PennDOT to upgrade from the junior drivers license to the unrestricted drivers license.

Step 4: Take in-car driving lessons and practice driving under supervision

After receiving your learners permit, you may also begin to take in-car driving lessons. We strongly recommend that you take drivers training (behind-the-wheel lessons) with a professional driving instructor who can give you the skills you need to be a safe and confident driver. 

Plus, if you want to upgrade from a junior license to an unrestricted license before you turn 18, you must take an approved Pennsylvania drivers education course and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel lessons!

Now's the time to get lots of driving practice. If you are under age 18, before you can apply for the drivers license you will have to wait 6 months and complete at least 65 hours of driving supervised by a licensed parent or adult 21 years or older, with 10 hours at night and 5 hours in poor weather conditions.

Step 5: Take the driving test for the Pennsylvania drivers license

When you are ready to take your driving road test, you can schedule an appointment either online or by calling 1-800-423-5542.

To be eligible to take the driving test, you must:

1. Bring your valid learners permit.
2. If you are under 18, submit the completed certificate for 65 hours of in-car driving lessons experience, including 10 hours of nighttime driving and 5 hours in poor weather conditions.
3. Show a valid registration card for the vehicle you plan to drive during the test.
4. Show proof that the vehicle is currently insured.
5. Have an accompanying parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least 18 years of age or a person who is at least 21 years of age ready to show his or her valid drivers license at the DOT.

Note: All documents provided to the DOT must be originals and not copies.

Before the test begins, a drivers license examiner will check to see that your vehicle has a valid registration card, current insurance, valid state inspection sticker, and if required, a valid emissions sticker. The lights, horn, brakes, windshield wipers, turn signals, mirrors, doors, seatbelts and tires on your vehicle will also be checked to make sure they meet safety standards. If any part of your vehicle fails to meet state inspection requirements, you will not be allowed to take the Road Test. Once you pass the road test and if you are under 18, you will be issued a junior drivers license.

Your junior drivers license will have the following restrictions:

• You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless you have in the car with you your spouse, guardian, or parent who is a licensed driver and at least 18 years of age. However, you may drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., if you are involved in public or charitable service, a member of a volunteer fire company, or employed during those hours. In these cases, you must carry a notarized affidavit or certificate of authorization from your employer, supervisor, or fire chief indicating your probable schedule of activities. This notarized affidavit should be kept with your drivers license.
• For the first 6 months after you receive your junior drivers license, you may not have more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member (your brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister, or adopted or foster children living in the same household as you) unless you are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• After 6 months, if you are not convicted of a driving violation or partially or fully responsible for a reportable crash, you may have up to 3 passengers under the age of 18 who are not immediate family member without being accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you are convicted of a driving violation or partially or fully responsible for a reportable crash while you have your junior drivers license, you will be restricted to one passenger under 18 again.
• You will receive a mandatory 90-day suspension if you accumulate 6 or more points or are convicted of driving 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit.

Your junior drivers license will automatically become an unrestricted regular drivers license when you turn 18.

Applying for an unrestricted drivers license before 18

After you've held a junior drivers license for one year, you can apply for your unrestricted drivers license before you turn 18 if you've completed your online and in-car driver training. You must meet the following requirements:

1. Have passed a drivers education course like this online course offered through Henry & Joe's Driving School.
2. Have taken 6 hours of in-car driving lessons
3. Have not been involved in a crash for which you are partially or fully responsible for one year.
4. Have not been convicted of any violation of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code for one year.
5. Have the consent of your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is at least 18 years of age.

If you meet these requirements, you may apply for an unrestricted regular drivers license by submitting an Application for Change from a Junior Drivers License to a Regular Non-Commercial Drivers License (DL-59).

Course Eligibility

Who must take Pennsylvania drivers education?

Drivers education is not mandatory in Pennsylvania. However, most teen drivers in Pennsylvania take drivers education in order to learn the rules of the road before they get behind the wheel. But no matter how old you are, if you want to learn about driving in Pennsylvania and plan to obtain a Pennsylvania drivers license, you can take this course.

IMPORTANT: Drivers Education is required in order to upgrade from a junior license to a senior license / unrestricted license before you are 18. Upon completion of the online course provided by Henry & Joe's Driving School and powered by DriversEd.com, you will receive PennDOT form DL-59 which is necessary for upgrading to an unrestricted license.

Does this course satisfy the Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements?

Yes. This course is approved as the online partner of Henry & Joe's Driving School. View the Approval Letter.

What is the difference between a junior license and a senior license (unrestricted license)?

If you are under 18 when you pass the driving skills test, you will be issued a junior license which has the following restrictions:

• You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless you have in the car with you your spouse, guardian, or parent who is a licensed driver and at least 18 years of age. However, you may drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., if you are involved in public or charitable service, a member of a volunteer fire company, or employed during those hours. In these cases, you must carry a notarized affidavit or certificate of authorization from your employer, supervisor, or fire chief indicating your probable schedule of activities. This notarized affidavit should be kept with your drivers license.
• For the first 6 months after you receive your junior drivers license, you may not have more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member (your brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister, or adopted or foster children living in the same household as you) unless you are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• After 6 months, if you are not convicted of a driving violation or partially or fully responsible for a reportable crash, you may have up to 3 passengers under the age of 18 who are not immediate family member without being accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you are convicted of a driving violation or partially or fully responsible for a reportable crash while you have your junior drivers license, you will be restricted to one passenger under 18 again.
• You will receive a mandatory 90-day suspension if you accumulate 6 or more points or are convicted of driving 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit.

A senior license / unrestricted license is a regular drivers license with none of the above restrictions.

What is the difference between drivers education and drivers training?

Drivers Education: a course that teaches you the rules of the road, vehicle safety, and everything that you need to know before you get behind the wheel for the first time. It's hard to believe, but in Pennsylvania drivers education is not mandatory. However, if you take an approved course like this one provided by Henry & Joe's Driving School, you can upgrade from a junior license to an unrestricted license before you are 18.

Drivers Training: the in-car driving lessons that you take with a licensed driving instructor. Although there is no mandatory drivers training requirement in Pennsylvania, we strongly recommend that you take driving lessons with a licensed instructor. Also, in order to upgrade to a senior unrestricted license before you are 18 you must take 6 hours of drivers training. 

What is the supervised driving period?

If you're under 18, once you have your learners permit, you'll will have to practice driving for at least 6 months before you apply for your Pennsylvania drivers license. During this time, you must practice driving for at least 65 hours (10 hours at night and 5 hours in poor weather conditions) under the supervision of a person who is 21 or older and who has held a drivers license for at least one year.

Can I earn an auto insurance discount with this course?

For many insurance providers, a Certificate of Completion from an online drivers education course qualifies you for a discount on your auto insurance. However, because every driver's situation is different, the only way to know for sure is to ask your insurance agent.

Course Information

Can I try the Pennsylvania course before I pay?

Sorry, not at this time!

How long will it take for me to finish the course?

This will vary depending on your individual pace. By Pennsylvania law, all drivers education courses must be at least 30 hours. The good news is that with Henry & Joe's Driving School and DriversEd.com, you can always go at your pace and log in and out at your convenience. Think how fast time can fly if you do 20 minutes here and there!

Can I take the final exam online too?

Yes! In the past, Pennsylvania required students to take the final exam in person. Now with this course, you can take both the course and the final exam online.

How do I access the 50 free practice tests?

After you pay for the course, your free practice tests will be accessible in your account.

When will I receive my Certificate of Completion?

After you complete the online course provided by Henry & Joe's Driving School and powered by DriversEd.com, we will mail your Certificate of Completion free of charge and within 2-3 business days of your course completion. All certificates are mailed via First Class Mail.

How do I get a duplicate copy of my Certificate of Completion?

If you lose your certificate, you should contact Henry & Joe's Driving School at 610-352-0510.

Will I need to take drivers training after I take this course?

If you are taking this course in order to upgrade from a junior restricted license to a senior license, then you will have to take 6 hours of drivers training (in-car driving lessons). After you complete the course, sign up with an approved driving school.

Will I need to take a high school drivers ed class in addition this course?

No. This course gives you everything you need to complete drivers education.

Pricing and Payment

What's included in the course fee?

The course fee covers the cost of your online drivers education course as well as your PennDOT-recognized Certificate of Completion sent to you by First Class Mail.

How do I make a Payment?

You can pay online using VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Google Pay. Please note that prepaid debit/gift cards issued by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Chime, CashApp, etc. cannot be used to make a payment.

What is DriversEd.com Roadside Assistance?

At DriversEd.com, we are here for you every step of the way - that's why we've teamed up with Allstate Roadside Services to provide DriversEd.com students with 1 month of free roadside assistance. Turns out you can put a price tag on peace of mind!

Here's how it works:

1. Sign up for any DriversEd.com Drivers Ed course.
2. During checkout, make sure to click the button to claim your free trial of Roadside Assistance. Free trial enrollment is only available during checkout. After your trial ends, your card will be charged $5/month, and you can cancel at any time.
3. Hit the road with peace of mind knowing you are covered with emergency roadside assistance.

What you'll get:

• Roadside coverage available 24/7, anywhere in the United States
• Anyone in the DriversEd.com driver's family can use it!
• Digital tools to help you get the right service fast
• Towing, fuel delivery, lockout service, and more!
• For more information about the benefits involved, check out our terms and conditions.

How do I use my Roadside Assistance service?

If you need to use your Roadside Assistance Benefits for towing, fuel delivery, or another included service, contact Allstate at 1-855-520-3691.

How do I cancel my DriversEd.com Roadside Assistance?

If you would like to cancel your Roadside Assistance, simply contact our dedicated Roadside Assistance agents.

Got more questions? Contact our dedicated DriversEd.com Roadside Assistance line:

Phone: +1 (888) 289-2816
Email: roadside@driversed.com

Refund Policy

It is important to us that you are satisfied with your purchase. If you change your mind about the course, we'll refund the full cost of the course purchased on our website within thirty (30) days of purchase. Refunds will only be issued if the course has not been completed. We will issue your refund within thirty (30) days of your request.