According to the Pennsylvania DOT's Driver and Vehicle Services all new residents with out-of-state non-commercial driver's licenses must obtain a PA Driver's License within 60 days of establishing Pennsylvania residency.
To apply for a driver's license in PA you must appear in person at one of their Driver License Centers. You will be required to surrender your out-of-state driver's license (valid or expired six months or less) before PennDOT can issue you a PA Driver's License. You will need to take a vision-screening test and complete the necessary forms, which are available at the Driver License Centers. In addition, you will need to show proof of identification and residency and your social security card. The PennDOT website has information on the fees for this transaction.
Although a knowledge test is not required for new residents with out-of-state driver's licenses which are valid or expired six months or less, The Pennsylvania Driver's Manual is designed to help you become a safe driver in this state and can be viewed online at the PennDOT website.
[Let CarInsurance.com help you find affordable auto insurance now.] All new residents are required to make application for Pennsylvania title and registration of their vehicle(s) within 20 days of establishing residency in PA.
As indicated below, individuals are required to have a valid form of Pennsylvania identification in order to make application to title and register a vehicle in Pennsylvania. Although new residents have 60 days to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license, there is nothing to prevent them from obtaining their Pennsylvania driver's license sooner so it is recommended that you do so in order to easily title and register your vehicle.
Pennsylvania title procedures require that out-of-state titles be surrendered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when applying for a Pennsylvania title.
The current lien holder for out of state titles may require that the vehicle owner refinance the balance of the outstanding lien through a Pennsylvania lending institution and pay the out-of-state lien holder in full. The lien holder will instruct the vehicle owner as to their requirements. A Pennsylvania certificate of title will only be issued when the out-of-state title is submitted with a completed Form MV-1 (this is a restricted form and is not available online. You must obtain it from a messenger, tag agency or any Driver and Vehicle Service Center location) and the title application is processed by PennDOT. A temporary Pennsylvania registration plate may be issued only in those instances where the out-of-state title is submitted with a completed Form MV-1.
You will need to obtain the necessary forms to get your Pennsylvania vehicle registration. Forms are available at any messenger or agent service office or any Driver and Vehicle Service Center location.
In order to register your vehicle(s), you will need to bring the following items with you:
- A valid title for all of the vehicles you want to register in Pennsylvania, issued in your name, from your previous state; and
- Proof of Pennsylvania insurance, such as a valid insurance identification card, declaration page of an insurance policy, a copy of a valid binder or a copy of an application for insurance to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan for all of the vehicles you will be registering. These documents must indicate both effective and expiration dates.
- Completed Form MV-1. Note: Forms MV-1 and MV-4ST are not available online. These forms must be completed by an authorized agent of the Department. You will need to contact a notary or dealer for assistance with the completion of these forms.
- A tracing of the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the verification of the VIN by an inspection mechanic or notary public at a dealership or issuing agent.
- Appropriate title, lien, registration fees and sales tax (if applicable). Make checks or money orders payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Do not send cash.
PennDOT will only allow their agents to issue title and registration documents to customers who provide one of the following credentials for identification purposes:
- a valid Pennsylvania Photo Driver's License
- a valid Pennsylvania Photo Identification Card
- a valid Pennsylvania Photo Exempt Driver's License
- a valid Pennsylvania Photo Exempt Identification Card
- a valid U.S. Armed Forces Common Access Card
- Dependents of Armed Forces Personnel must provide a valid United States Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (DD Form 1173)
A vehicle newly registered in Pennsylvania must be safety inspected within ten (10) days of the registration date. Inspections are performed at official inspection stations (usually a repair garage or a service station with a repair shop). Equipment checks include: lights, brakes, horn, tires, safety belts, exhaust system, mirrors, tag mounting, suspension, turn signals, steering, glazing, wipers, and other major parts of your vehicle.
So while Pennsylvania gives you 60 days to get a driver's license in order to comply with the law saying that your vehicle must be registered and titled within 20 days than you really need to get your license earlier so that you have it for identification purposes at the titling office. And to get your car registered you must have PA insurance on your vehicles.
Free Auto Insurance Quotes
You need to get your PA driver's license and PA auto insurance in place before changing over the title and registration of your vehicle from New Jersey to Pennsylvania. If there is a little overlap of car insurance between your NJ policy and PA policy that is better than a lapse in insurance coverage which could get you penalized.
You should be able to start shopping for Pennsylvania car insurance before getting your PA driver's license. In fact you can start by getting free auto insurance quotes for Pennsylvania here with us. | 
