Get a Pennsylvania Driver’s License

To transfer your out-of-state driver’s license, you must visit a Pennsylvania driver’s license center . At the driver’s license center, you will be asked to complete a vision screening test and to provide proof of identity and proof of residency. Finally, once your application has been completed, you will be asked to surrender your out-of-state driver’s license.

For more information about transferring an out-of-state driver’s license, photo ID card, or commercial driver’s license (CDL), see the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s guidance for new residents .

REAL ID

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes.

Beginning May 3, 2023, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant license, identification card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to:

• Board domestic commercial flights.
• Enter a military base.
• Enter a federal facility that requires ID at the door.

Getting a REAL ID is optional for Pennsylvania residents, and they are available to Pennsylvanians who want them.

If you’re not sure whether a REAL ID is right for you, PennDOT’s REAL ID online wizard may be able to help. Visit our REAL ID guide to learn more about how this federal law affects Pennsylvanians.

Register Your Vehicle in Pennsylvania

All new residents are required to title and register their vehicle(s) within 20 days of establishing residency in Pennsylvania.

To do this, you’ll need to bring the following items with you to an authorized agent of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (most Pennsylvania notaries, dealers and messenger services can help you with this process):

• Valid Pennsylvania Identification: First, you’re required to have a valid form of Pennsylvania identification, such as a Pennsylvania driver’s license or ID.
• Out-of-State Vehicle Title.
• Proof of Pennsylvania Insurance: Make sure that any documents include both effective and expiration dates for the policy for all the vehicles you will be registering.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Tracing or Verification: You car’s VIN may be located under the windshield or on the driver side door post (see the graphic below). To get a VIN tracing, place a piece of paper against the plate and apply pressure with a lead pencil, stroking left to right across the entire surface of the VIN plate. A photograph of the VIN plate is acceptable if signed by a certified inspection mechanic .
• Check or money order for fees .

Afterwards, you’ll need to take your vehicle to a certified inspection mechanic within 10 days of registering your vehicle in Pennsylvania.

Visit Drive Clean PA to find out if the county your vehicle is registered in is required to participate in Pennsylvania’s federally mandated emissions inspection program.

To learn more about registering your out-of-state vehicle in Pennsylvania, review the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Information for New Residents .

Update Your Voter Registration

If you are already a registered voter, you will have to update your voter registration to reflect your new address. You can update your voter registration online using Pennsylvania’s Online Voter Registration .

If you are not currently a registered voter, there are many ways you can register to vote in Pennsylvania:

• Online with PA Online Voter Registration .
• By mail .
• In person at your county voter registration office .
• When you obtain or update your driver’s license.
• In person at various government agencies .

Find Your Elected Officials

You can find your state legislator with this locator tool by the Pennsylvania General Assembly .

Find Your County Election Office

To find the contact information for your county election office .

Get a Professional License

If you hold a professional or occupational license in another state, territory, or country, you may use that license as the basis to apply for licensure in Pennsylvania.

The process is simplified if your professional or occupational license qualifies as an endorsement.

Learn more about licensure by endorsement and the out-of-state professional licensing process through the Pennsylvania Department of State .

All applicants for professional licensure must begin their application process via the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) website. To get started, create your PALS account .

PA CareerLink

PA CareerLink® offices offer a variety of in-person career resources for job seekers and existing workers, including:

• Resume workshops.
• Skills assessments.
• Career exploration and counseling.
• Job search assistance.
• Interview practice.
• Job fairs.
• Help with personal finances and budgeting.
• Access to training funds (if eligible).
• Free access to a computer lab.

Commonwealth Employment

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is always hiring for positions in a wide range of fields and locations across the commonwealth. Learn more about working for Pennsylvania state government and apply for open positions .

Insuring Your Home

Whether you’re a homeowner or renting an apartment, it’s important to consider an insurance policy to cover damages due to unforeseen events, such as a natural disaster.

Homeowner’s Insurance
Homeowner’s insurance is not mandatory under Pennsylvania law, but a mortgage lender may require you to purchase it as a condition of your mortgage agreement. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department can help you understand your options.

Renters’ Insurance
Renters’ insurance can protect you and your property from damages, theft, and liability. If your apartment is broken into and you have belongings stolen, renters’ insurance can help replace them. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department can help you understand your options.

Flood Insurance
It’s important to be aware that a standard homeowner’s or renters’ policy does not cover damages resulting from a flood. Mortgage lenders may require homeowner’s insurance to purchase flood insurance in accordance to federal law.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners or renters through the National Flood Insurance Program or through private insurers. Remember there may be a waiting period for your flood policy to take effect. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s guide to flood insurance .

Home Improvement

In Pennsylvania, all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year must register with the Attorney General’s Office . Though the law requires contractors to register, it is not an endorsement of their honesty or quality of work. Remember to always:

• Thoroughly check your contractor’s references.
• Obtain more than one bid for the job.
• Check for complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau .

To verify the registration of a home improvement contractor, find them on Registered Contractors with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General .

Learn more about your rights and what must be included in a home improvement contract.

Find Affordable Housing

Through local and national partnerships, Pennsylvania offers a variety of services to help you find affordable housing options and services for renting an apartment or buying a house.

• Public Housing: From single family houses to highrise apartments, there are many forms of public housing available. To apply, contact your local Public Housing Agency .
• Subsidized Apartments: Federal programs provide financial aid to help low-income persons rent affordable apartments in the private market. To apply for the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), contact your local Public Housing Agency .
• Search Affordable Housing: PAHousingSearch.com connects people who need housing with market-rate rentals, subsidized, and special-needs housing listings.
• Homebuyer Assistance: Eligible homebuyers can purchase loans with competitive interest rates and lower fees. Apply for a loan or receive homebuyer counseling with the PA Housing Finance Agency .
• Emergency Housing: If you are in danger of being evicted from your home or in need of shelter, locate your county assistance office to learn about the Department of Human Services Emergency Shelter Allowance program .

Fair Housing Rights

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act prohibits discrimination in all housing transactions based on:

• Race
• Color
• National Origin
• Religion
• Sex Familial Status
• Disability
• Age
• Ancestry
• Pregnancy
• Use of a Support Animal

If you have experienced discrimination in the process of renting, buying, selling, or getting a loan for a home, file a housing discrimination complaint or call the PA Fair Housing hotline: 855-866-5718.

Health Care Coverage

Affordable Care Act Coverage through Pennie

Pennie is Pennsylvania’s new health insurance marketplace. It replaces HealthCare.gov for Pennsylvanians.

If you had health coverage in a previous state, it’s very important to report your move as soon as possible so you can enroll in a new plan through Pennie without a break in coverage — and avoid paying for coverage that doesn’t apply in Pennsylvania.

• Learn how to report your move and how to enroll in coverage outside of the yearly open enrolment period.
• If you haven’t applied for insurance on HealthCare.gov or Pennie before, you can apply for health insurance coverage on Pennie.com.

HealthChoices

HealthChoices is the name of Pennsylvania’s managed care programs for Medical Assistance recipients, also known as Medicaid.

There are a several different ways to apply for Medical Assistance. To learn how to apply, visit the HealthChoices website.

Community HealthChoices

If you’re 21 or older and have both Medicare and Medicaid or receive long-term supports through Medicaid because you need help with everyday personal tasks, you’ll be covered by Community HealthChoices .

Community HealthChoices will coordinate your health care coverage to improve the quality of your health care experience — serving more people in communities rather than in facilities, giving them the opportunity to work, spend more time with their families, and experience an overall better quality of life.

Get a Medical Marijuana ID Card

Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program provides access to medical marijuana for patients with specific medical conditions.

Getting medical marijuana through Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program involves four basic steps:

1. Register for the program through the Medical Marijuana Registry.
2. Have a physician certify that you suffer from one of the medical conditions that qualify for medical marijuana.
3. Pay for a medical marijuana ID card.
4. Get medical marijuana from an approved dispensary in Pennsylvania.

Visit our Getting Medical Marijuana guide to learn more about the process of getting medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.

Future Ready PA Index

In Pennsylvania, you can view comprehensive information about a school or school district’s performance using multiple academic and student growth indicators.

To review a school in your area, visit the Future Ready PA Index website.

Child Care and Early Learning Programs

Pennsylvania offers a variety of services that provide children an opportunity to learn in the years before kindergarten. To learn more about the child care and early learning programs available in your area, use the COMPASS search tool .

Using this tool, your family can find a variety of early learning programs such as:

• Evidence-based home-visiting family support programs for pregnant moms and young children.
• Child care, including quality Keystone STARS-rated programs, for services for children from birth – school-age.
• Early Intervention services for children with disabilities or delays.
• Head Start.
• Pre-kindergarten programs such as Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts.

School Immunizations

In Pennsylvania, some vaccinations are required for children to attend school.

The provisional period in which students can attend school without their required vaccinations is five (5) days.

Please contact your school district to find out which vaccines are required.

Get a Fishing License

You can get a fishing license through the Fish and Boat Commission either in person or through at HuntFish.pa.gov .

Learn more about fishing rules and regulations in Pennsylvania .

Get a Hunting License

The Pennsylvania hunting year runs from July 1-June 30. You can get a hunting license through the Pennsylvania Game Commission or at HuntFish.pa.gov .

Learn more about hunting rules and regulations in Pennsylvania .

Get a Boating License

Pennsylvania has over 85,000 miles of rivers and streams ranging from headwaters to major river systems.

Learn more about boating rules and regulations in Pennsylvania — including boat registrations, titles, launch permits, and other fees.