In Pennsylvania, you don’t need a driver’s license to buy or register a car. And while getting car insurance in Pennsylvania without a license can be difficult, it’s not impossible. 

Keep reading for everything you need to know about buying and registering a car in Pennsylvania without a license.

Key Highlights
  • You can buy a car without a driver’s license in Pennsylvania.
  • You must have a valid form of Pennsylvania identification to apply for a vehicle title and registration.
  • According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, you need valid Pennsylvania identification to register a car in the state with an out-of-state license.
  • You can register a car in PA with a suspended license but can’t drive it. To register a car, you will need valid Pennsylvania identification.
author-img
Written by:
Mark Vallet
Contributing Researcher
Mark is a freelance journalist and analyst with over 15 years of experience covering the insurance industry. He has extensive experience creating and editing content on a variety of subjects with deep expertise in insurance and automotive writing. He has written for autos.com, carsdirect.com, DARCARS and Madtown Designs to name just a few. He is also a professional blogger and a skilled web content creator who consistently turns out engaging, error-free writing while juggling multiple projects.
author
Reviewed by:
Laura Longero
reviewer icon
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Can you buy a car without a license in Pennsylvania?

Technically yes, but you will not be able to test drive the car or drive it off the lot. No law in Pennsylvania says you must have a valid driver’s license to buy a car, but you will need a government-issued ID to complete the transaction and title or register the car.

A person may need to purchase a vehicle without a license for several reasons:

  • You have a disability and need a car for your caregiver to drive.
  • You own a business and need a vehicle for your licensed employees to drive.
  • You have an underage child with a license and can’t legally finance a vehicle.
  • You have a personal driver.

Can you finance a car in Pennsylvania without a license?

The rules on financing a car in PA for someone who does not have a driver’s license may vary between dealerships. Explain your situation to the salesperson if you don’t have a license. They might be willing to help you. You must provide all the relevant documents, such as a government-issued ID and income statement. You may also need proof that the DMV has not suspended your license.

Can you register a car without a license in Pennsylvania?

You don’t have to have a driver’s license, but you need a form of Pennsylvania-approved identification.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, individuals must have a valid form of Pennsylvania ID to apply for a vehicle title and registration.

You must provide one of the following credentials for identification purposes: 

  • Valid Pennsylvania photo driver’s license
  • Valid Pennsylvania photo ID card
  • Valid U.S. Armed Forces Common Access Card for dependents of the Armed Forces
  • Valid United States Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card 

So, while you do not need a Pennsylvania driver’s license, you will need a valid ID from the list above to title and register a car in Pennsylvania.

Can you register a car in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license?

You cannot register a car in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license. According to the Pennsylvania DOT, you need valid Pennsylvania identification to register a car in PA.

Can you register a car with a suspended license in Pennsylvania?

Yes, but you will need a valid Pennsylvania identification document from the list above. Remember, just because you can register a car doesn’t mean you can drive it. If you get caught on the road with a suspended license, you will face a significant driving offense on your record, sky-high insurance premiums, possible jail time and a longer license suspension.

How do I register a car in Pennsylvania?

Here are the registration requirements in Pennsylvania:

  • Apply for Pennsylvania title and registration of their vehicles within 20 days of establishing residency in Pennsylvania.
  • Give the DMV your out-of-state title when applying for a new one.
  • If you still owe money on a car with an out-of-state title, you may have to refinance the balance or pay off the out-of-state bank or lender.
  • You won’t be issued a Pennsylvania title until the out-of-state title is submitted with a completed Form MV-1.

To title and register your vehicle, you will need to bring the following items with you to the authorized agent:

  • A valid title for all the vehicles you want to register in Pennsylvania, issued in your name, from your previous state.
  • 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.
  • 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). 
  • If you are titling and registering a leased vehicle, the leasing company must also complete Form MV-1L.

What are the minimum insurance requirements in Pennsylvania?

Every state has minimum car insurance requirements to be legal out on the road. When registering a car, you must show proof of Pennsylvania auto insurance. This means all motor vehicles out on the road in Pennsylvania must have liability insurance; this includes cars, vans, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, trucks, and buses.

You are in compliance with Pennsylvania law if you have liability insurance in the following amounts:

  • $15,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
  • $30,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
  • $5,000 for damage to the property of another person

This insurance is referred to as 15/30/5 and is woefully inadequate if you are in a severe accident. This means you will be on the hook for any accident costs beyond your coverage levels. 

You may want to put higher limits in place to protect yourself and your assets better. If you have a loan on your vehicle, your lien holder will typically require you to have collision coverage and comprehensive insurance on the vehicle as well.

Resources & Methodology

Sources:

PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services. “Driver and Vehicle Services.” Accessed October 2023.

Laura Longero

Ask the Insurance Expert

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

John McCormick

Ask the Insurance Expert

John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

Ask the Insurance Expert

Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

Ask the Insurance Expert

Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

Please Enter Valid Question. Min 50 to max 250 characters are allowed. Only (& ? , .) charcters are allowed.
Please Enter Valid Email.
Error: Security check failed
Thank You, Your message has been received. Our team of auto insurance experts typically answers questions within five working days. Note that due to the volume of questions we receive, not all may be answered. Due to technical error, please try again later.
Compare top carriers in your area Get quotes near you!
Please enter valid zip
author image
Contributing Researcher

Mark is a freelance journalist and analyst with over 15 years of experience covering the insurance industry. He has extensive experience creating and editing content on a variety of subjects with deep expertise in insurance and automotive writing. He has written for autos.com, carsdirect.com, DARCARS and Madtown Designs to name just a few. He is also a professional blogger and a skilled web content creator who consistently turns out engaging, error-free writing while juggling multiple projects.