- Form DL-180 at a glance
- What to bring and attach to Form DL-180
- A filled-in Form DL-180 example: a first learner's permit at 16
- How to fill out Form DL-180, box by box
- More rules for Form DL-180
- If you are under 18, not a U.S. citizen, or a veteran
- Common questions about Form DL-180
- Where to get help with Form DL-180
- Sources
Form DL-180 at a glance
What it is: Form DL-180 is the Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application.
Who signs: The applicant signs in ink, with the date. The examinee signs only in the presence of the provider, next to the provider's signature and the physical date.
Where and when to file: You must apply in person. This form is valid for 1 year from the date of physical examination, and the physical date may not be more than 6 months prior to your 16th birthday.
Notary: If you are under 18 years of age, your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older must complete the Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD). If the parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older cannot accompany the applicant, the DL-180TD must be signed by that person in the presence of a notary.[2]
What to bring and attach to Form DL-180
Bring your completed Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application (DL-180) to the Driver License Center when you are ready to take your Knowledge Test.[2]
If under 18 years of age, also bring your completed Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD).[2]
Proof of date of birth and identification; these documents must be originals (photocopies will not be accepted).[2]
Your Social Security card must be signed.[2]
The applicable fee.[2]
All documents must show the same name and date of birth, or an association between the information on the documents.
Additional documentation may be required if a connection between documents cannot be established (for example, a Marriage Certificate, Court Order of name change or Divorce Decree).
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must also present two of the following to meet residency requirements (listed in the residency section below).
A filled-in Form DL-180 example: a first learner's permit at 16
How to fill out Form DL-180, box by box
Tap a group of boxes to open it, and a picture to see it full size.
Name, eye color, gender designation and street address
Eye Color: please check one.
Sex/Gender Designation Statement: print your name and check the gender designation you wish your Driver's License/ID Card to read: Male (M), Female (F) or Non-Binary/Other (X).
You certify under penalty of law that this request for the selected gender designation accurately reflects your gender identity and is not for any fraudulent or other unlawful purpose.
Common mistake: Street Address: a Post Office Box number may be used only in addition to the actual street address.
Permits, license, trust fund contributions and payment
Permit(s) Desired: check the desired permit(s), Class A (Combination Vehicle over 26,000), Class B (Truck or Bus over 26,000) or Class C (Automobile), or Class M (Motorcycle), and enter the fee for each item checked.
Class M: the MSEA Fee is included; these additional fees are required under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Section 7904 and will be used to support a Motorcycle Safety Education Program in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Common mistake: License Required: you must check one, the 4-Year Driver's License or the 2-Year Driver's License (Age 65 & Over), and enter the fee for the license checked.
Trust Fund Contribution(s): if you wish to contribute to the Organ Donation Awareness Trust Fund (ODTF) and/or the Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF), check the appropriate box or boxes and enter the total amount to the right.
On Form DL-180 (7-23), you have the opportunity to contribute to the Organ Donation Awareness Trust Fund (ODTF).
The additional contribution must be added to your payment.
You must also check the block provided to ensure proper handling of your contribution.
Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF): you have the opportunity to make a tax deductible contribution to the VTF.
Since this additional amount is not part of the fee, please add the donated amount to your payment, and please check the proper block on the form to ensure your contribution is handled properly.
Common mistake: Paid By: debit/credit card, check or money order, payable to PennDOT; PennDOT Driver License Centers do not accept cash.
The form prints these boxes here, word for word:
Class A (Combination Vehicle over 26,000), Class B (Truck or Bus over 26,000) or Class C (Automobile) $6.00
Class M (Motorcycle) MSEA Fee is included $18.00
4-Year Driver's License $39.50
2-Year Driver's License (Age 65 & Over) $27.50
$3.00 to the Organ Donation Trust Fund (ODTF)
$5.00 to the Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF)
Questions 1 to 4
Common mistake: All questions must be answered: check the applicable block, Yes or No.
1. Have you ever held or possessed a Driver's License (DL), Learner's Permit (LP) or Photo Identification Card (ID) from PA or any other state? If yes, enter the State, the DL/LP/ID # and the Name if different than above.
2. Is your right to apply for a license or your privilege to operate a vehicle in this or any other state currently suspended, revoked, or subject to installation of an ignition interlock device? If yes, give state, date and reason.
3. Do you have any pending criminal charges or driving violations in this state or any other state which may carry a possible penalty of suspension or revocation of your driver's license or driving privilege? If yes, give state, date and reason.
4. Do you hold a valid license or ID card from any other state?
Authorizations, certifications and signature
For Veterans wishing to add the Veterans Designation to their Driver's License or ID Card: check the box to certify under penalty of law that you are a qualified applicant and request it be added to your product; you understand that misrepresentation will result in the cancellation of your driver's license.
If you are under the age of 18 years and request Organ Donor designation on your PA Driver's License, your parent must check the consent block on the Parent Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD); applicants 18 years of age or older will have the opportunity to request Organ Donor designation at the Photo Center at the time they have their photo taken.
You acknowledge that receiving a Pennsylvania Permit, License or ID card will cancel or invalidate any Permit, License or ID card from another state; you certify under penalty of law that this information is true and correct; you authorize the Social Security Administration to release to the Department of Transportation information concerning your Social Security Identification Number for the purpose of identification; and you acknowledge notice of the provisions of Section 3709 of the Vehicle Code. Misstatement of fact is a misdemeanor of the third degree punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year (18 Pa. C.S. Section 4904[b]).
The applicant signs in ink, with the date.
The physical examination by a health care provider
Your health care provider must complete the back of the Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application (DL-180).
All information in this section must be completed in full by a health care provider, who checks any of the following that would prevent control of a motor vehicle: neurological, neuropsychiatric, circulatory or cardiac disorder, hypertension, uncontrolled epilepsy, uncontrolled diabetes, cognitive impairment, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, conditions causing repeated lapses of consciousness, impairment or amputation of an appendage (if so, list), or other, with the date of last seizure if seizure disorder.
Any recommendations or additional comments must accompany this certificate on a health care provider's letterhead.
By signing below, the examinee and the provider state that the facts above set forth are true and correct to the best of their knowledge, information and belief, and understand that the statements made are subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities), punishable by a fine up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.
Common mistake: The examinee signs only in the presence of the provider, next to the provider's signature and the physical date.
If you do not have your vision tested by your health care provider or optometrist, your vision will be tested at the Driver License Center.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, please bring them with you.
If the driver license examiner cannot determine whether the information on the Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application (DL-180) meets medical standards, your learner's permit may be delayed.
Exam Center and Date of Issue: completed by driver license examiner only.[2]
Identification for U.S. citizens
To meet identification requirements you must present your Social Security card (it must be original) and one of the following:
A birth certificate with raised seal (U.S. issued by an authorized government agency, including U.S. territories or Puerto Rico); no other birth documents will be accepted.
A Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (BCIS/INS Form N-560) or a Certificate of Naturalization (BCIS/INS Form N-550 or N-570).
A valid U.S. passport: only valid U.S. passports and original documents will be accepted.
If you are bringing a valid U.S. passport as one of your proof-of-identity documents, both a standard passport and a passport card are accepted.
Note: if you have an out-of-state driver's license, you should present it along with your Social Security card and one of the above forms.[2]
Proof of residency if you are 18 or older
If you are 18 years of age or older, to meet residency requirements you must present two of the following: a current, unexpired PA driver's license or photo ID card; a PA vehicle registration card; an auto insurance card; a computer-generated utility bill showing your name and address (cellphone, cable, electric, gas); post-marked mail/package labels through USPS, UPS, FedEx etc.; a W-2 form/pay stub; lease agreements or mortgage documents; or official tax records reflecting current name and address. The proof of residency documents must have your name and official Pennsylvania street address on it. If you reside with someone and have no bills in your name, you will still need to provide two proofs of residency.
One proof is to bring the person with whom you reside along with their Driver's License or Photo ID to the Driver License Center.
You will also need to provide a second proof of residency such as post-marked mail/package labels through USPS, UPS, FedEx etc. that has your name and physical address on it.
The address must match that of the person with whom you reside.
More rules for Form DL-180
After passing the Knowledge Test, the examiner will give you a learner's permit, which is valid for one year.[2]
If you are under 18, not a U.S. citizen, or a veteran
You are under 18
If you are under 18 years of age, your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older must complete the Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD).
If the parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older cannot accompany the applicant, the DL-180TD must be signed by that person in the presence of a notary.[2]
See Form DL-180TD.
You are not a U.S. citizen
Non-U.S. citizens must bring all of the following:
Original USCIS/immigration documents indicating current lawful immigration status, and a valid passport, dependent on status.
Common mistake: A Social Security card or SSA ineligibility letter (must be original; the card cannot be laminated); documents must be original, and photo copies will not be accepted.
You are a veteran
Veterans Designation: you have the opportunity to add the veterans designation to your driver's license, which clearly indicates you are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
To qualify, you must have served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component or the National Guard, and have been discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable.
If you are requesting to add the veterans designation to your license, make sure you check the box at the top of the Authorization and Certification Section on side 1.
Common questions about Form DL-180
What is a dl 180 form in PA?
Form DL-180 is the Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application.
Is there a deadline?
This form is valid for 1 year from the date of physical examination, and the physical date may not be more than 6 months prior to your 16th birthday.
Where do I file it?
Bring your completed Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application (DL-180) to the Driver License Center when you are ready to take your Knowledge Test. Do not mail this form.[2]
Where to get help with Form DL-180
To obtain detailed information regarding identity/residency requirements, visit www.dmv.pa.gov, enter the search term Pub-195NC and review required documents, or contact 717-412-5300; TTY callers, please dial 711.
Sources
[1] Form DL-180 (7-23), Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Application, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (the Official source link on this page).
[2] PennDOT, Get a Learner's Permit (pa.gov). Accessed October 1, 2026.