(
WPHL)– As the federal
REAL ID deadline looms, PennDOT is helping Pennsylvanians meet the deadline with special statewide events on April 28.
The April 28 REAL ID Day events will be held at 57 driver’s license centers statewide.
What is a REAL ID?
A REAL ID is a form of identification that can be used for :
- Accessing certain federal facilities
- Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft
- Entering nuclear power plants
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the REAL ID Is: “Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government ‘set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. ”
If you’re not sure whether a REAL ID is right for you, use PennDOT’s REAL ID online wizard.
Do I need a REAL ID in Pennsylvania?
REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another form of federally acceptable identification will be required to:
- Board domestic commercial flights.
- Enter a military base.
- Enter certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID.
A valid passport will still be required for international travel
How much does it cost?
REAL IDs cost $30, plus the applicable renewal fee (the current renewal fee is $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license and $42.50 for a photo ID).
Where can I get one?
Those who still need to obtain a REAL ID can go to any of the following centers from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- Gettysburg Driver License Center: 37 North 4th Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (Adams County)
- Allison Park Driver License Center: 1701 Duncan Avenue, Allison Park, PA 15101 (Allegheny County)
- Bridgeville Driver License Center: 1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017 (Allegheny County)
- New Kensington Driver License Center: 1600 Greensburg Road, New Kensington, PA 15068 (Allegheny County)
- Penn Hills Driver License Center: 11620 Keleket Drive, Penn Hills, PA 15235 (Allegheny County)
- Beaver Falls Driver License Center: 2580 Constitution Boulevard, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 (Beaver County)
- Reading Driver License Center: 530 East Lancaster Avenue, Shillington, PA 19607 (Berks County)
- Exeter Township Driver License Center: 4375 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading PA 19606 (Berks County)
- Altoona Driver License Center: 1738A 9th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 (Blair County)
- Monroeton Driver License Center: 60 Chiola Lane, Towanda, PA 18848 (Bradford County)
- Dublin Driver License Center: 161 North Main Street, Dublin, PA 18917 (Bucks County)
- Bensalem Driver License Center: 4201 Neshaminy Boulevard, Bensalem, PA 19020 (Bucks County)
- Butler Driver License Center: 158 Point Plaza, Butler, PA 16001 (Butler County)
- Johnstown Driver License Center: 563 Walters Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15904 (Cambria County)
- Rockview Driver License Center: 812 West College Avenue, Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 (Centre County)
- Malvern Driver License Center: 225 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355 (Chester County)
- Clearfield Driver License Center: 1800 Daisy Street. Unit 380, Clearfield, PA 16830 (Clearfield County)
- Meadville Driver License Center: 16942 Patricia Drive, Meadville, PA 16335 (Crawford County)
- Carlisle Driver License Center: 950 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA 17015 (Cumberland County)
- Summerdale Driver License Center: 429 North Enola Road, Enola, PA 17025 (Cumberland County)
- Granite Run Driver License Center: 1097 West Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063 (Delaware County)
- Erie Driver License Center: 7200 Peach Street, Suite 480, Erie, PA 16509 (Erie County)
- Uniontown Driver License Center: 855 North Gallatin Avenue Ext., Uniontown, PA 15401 (Fayette County)
- Chambersburg Driver License Center: 1320 Lincoln Highway East, Chambersburg, PA 17202 (Franklin County)
- Indiana Driver License Center: 2334 Oakland Avenue, Suite A, Indiana, PA 15701 (Indiana County)
- Punxsutawney Driver License Center: 547 West Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney, PA 15767 (Jefferson County)
- Dunmore Driver License Center: 81 Keystone Industrial Park, Dunmore, PA 18512 (Lackawanna County)
- Lancaster Regency Driver License Center: 131 Rohrerstown Road, Lancaster, PA 17603 (Lancaster County)
- Lancaster East Driver License Center: 2090 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602 (Lancaster County)
- New Castle Driver License Center: 973 Old Youngstown Road, New Castle, PA 16101 (Lawrence County)
- Lebanon Driver License Center: 900 East Old Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA 17042 (Lebanon County)
- Lehigh Valley Driver License Center: 1710 Hoover Ave, Allentown, PA 18109 (Lehigh County)
- Whitehall Driver License Center: 1101 MacArthur Road, Allentown, PA 18052 (Lehigh County)
- Wilkes-Barre Driver License Center: 1085 Hanover Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18706 (Luzerne County)
- Hazleton Driver License Center: 1052 South Church Street, Hazleton, PA 18201 (Luzerne County)
- Williamsport Driver License Center: 1782 East 3rd Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 (Lycoming County)
- Bradford Driver License Center: 68 Chestnut St, Bradford, PA 16701 (McKean County)
- Mercer Driver License Center: 519B Greenville Road, Mercer, PA 16137 (Route 58) (Mercer County)
- Lewistown Driver License Center: 13217 Ferguson Valley Road, Yeagertown, PA 17099 (Mifflin County)
- Snydersville Driver License Center: 4218 Manor Drive, Snydersville, PA 18360 (Monroe County)
- Huntingdon Valley Driver License Center: 2022 County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 (Montgomery County)
- Norristown Driver License Center: 1700 Markley Street, Suite 30, Norristown, PA 19401 (Montgomery County)
- King of Prussia Driver License Center: 143 South Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406 (Montgomery County)
- Easton Driver License Center: 2473 Nazareth Road, Easton, PA 18045 (Northampton County)
- Lawndale Driver License Center: 919-B Levick St B, Philadelphia, PA 19111 (Philadelphia County)
- Arch Street Driver License Center: 801 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (Philadelphia County)
- South 70th Street Driver License Center: 2904 South 70th Street, Unit 8, Philadelphia, PA 19142 (Philadelphia County)
- West Oak Lane Driver License Center: 7121 Ogontz Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138 (Philadelphia County)
- Whitman Plaza Driver License Center: 330 West Oregon Avenue, Ste 240, Philadelphia, PA 19148 (Philadelphia County)
- Schuylkill Haven Driver License Center: 972 East Main Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 (Schuylkill County)
- Selinsgrove Driver License Center: 1015 Route 522, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 (Snyder County)
- Somerset Driver License Center: 5593 Glades Pike, Somerset, PA 15501 (Somerset County)
- Washington Driver License Center: 250 Oak Spring Road, Washington, PA 15301 (Washington County)
- Honesdale Driver License Center: 18 Collan Park, Honesdale, PA 18431 (Wayne County)
- Jeannette Driver License Center: 1100 Lowry Avenue, Jeannette, PA 15644 (Westmoreland County)
- Belle Vernon Driver License Center: 960 Rostraver Road, Belle Vernon, PA 15012 (Westmoreland County)
- York Driver License Center: 2130 South Queen Street, York, PA 17403 (York County)
What do I need to bring with me?
To obtain a REAL ID, you will need to bring the following documents with you to a center:
- Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
- Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub.
- Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
- Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county’s family court.
- Note: If the current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown.
What if I am busy on April 28?
Those who aren’t able to obtain their REAL ID on April 28 can also head to another REAL ID Day on May 5.
“PennDOT is dedicated to making the REAL ID process as convenient as possible for those who choose to get one,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. “With demand increasing, our REAL ID Days are another way we’re meeting the needs of Pennsylvanians and delivering the best possible customer service to them.”
When will I get my REAL ID?
- Those who apply in person at a Driver’s License Center will receive the product in the mail within 15 days of applying.
- Those who apply at one of PennDOT’s 15 REAL ID-compliant Driver License Centers will receive the product immediately.
You can find more information HERE.