CARLISLE, PA — The Shapiro administration has completed renovations at 23 driver license centers across Pennsylvania, a move officials say is already reducing wait times and improving customer service for millions of residents who rely on PennDOT services each year.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll highlighted the upgrades during a visit to the newly renovated Driver License Center in Carlisle, which is among the facilities modernized as part of the statewide effort. The renovations are aimed at expanding capacity, streamlining operations, and creating a more efficient and comfortable experience for customers.
Millions of Pennsylvanians visit driver license centers annually, and PennDOT said the improvements are designed to help staff serve more customers in less time. Renovation work included adding workstations and service counters, expanding seating and floor space, upgrading electrical and HVAC systems, and installing new flooring, lighting, and carpeting.
“We are delighted to say that these renovations allow us to serve more customers, lower wait times, and provide an altogether more comfortable experience for Pennsylvanians visiting the driver license center,” Carroll said. “Getting customer service done for Pennsylvanians is paramount to us at PennDOT.”
In addition to physical upgrades, PennDOT has expanded digital and in-center technology. Select driver license centers now offer free public Wi-Fi, while all 76 centers statewide are equipped with the Motor Vehicle Network, which displays information on flat-screen televisions for customers waiting to be served. Fifty-nine centers also provide real-time queuing information on those screens.
The administration has also pushed more services online to reduce in-person demand. PennDOT now allows customers to access and submit more than 40 commonly used driver license and motor vehicle forms online, free of charge, through its driver and vehicle services website, which is available 24 hours a day. Online services include license and registration renewals, address changes, duplicate credentials, driver history requests, restoration letters, fee payments, REAL ID pre-verification, and driver exam scheduling.
PennDOT said expanding online access has reduced paperwork bottlenecks and saved customers trips to driver license centers, allowing staff to focus on in-person transactions that require face-to-face service.
Officials also reminded residents that a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another acceptable form of identification such as a passport, is required for domestic air travel. Pennsylvanians can learn more and determine whether a REAL ID is right for them by visiting https://pa.gov/REALID.
The upgrades, PennDOT said, reflect the administration’s broader push to make state government more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the public.
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