PennDOT Form DL-59: Junior to Regular PA License Guide

PennDOT Form DL-59: Junior to Regular PA License Guide – Pennsylvania drivers under age 18 hold a Junior Driver’s License with specific restrictions, including nighttime driving limits and passenger limits. Form DL-59 from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) allows eligible teens to upgrade to a full Regular Non-Commercial Driver’s License before turning 18. This guide covers eligibility, requirements, how to complete the form, fees, and the official application process using current information from PennDOT sources for USA residents in Pennsylvania.

What Is PennDOT Form DL-59?

Form DL-59 is the official Pennsylvania application titled “Application For Change From A Junior Driver’s License To a Regular Non-Commercial Driver’s License.” It is used by junior license holders who meet strict safety and education criteria to remove junior restrictions early. The form is issued by the Bureau of Driver Licensing and must be mailed to PennDOT for processing.

Once approved, applicants typically receive an update card to carry with their existing junior license. Optionally, a full photo replacement license can be requested for a fee. The most current version of the form is DL-59 (7-25). Always download the latest version directly from official sources.

Download the official Form DL-59 here: PennDOT Form DL-59 PDF.

Eligibility Requirements for Upgrading a Junior License

To qualify for a regular non-commercial driver’s license using Form DL-59, you must meet all of the following conditions according to PennDOT:

  • You have held a valid Pennsylvania Junior Driver’s License for at least one full year (the “Issued” date on your junior license is the starting point).
  • You have successfully completed an approved driver’s education course consisting of 30 hours of classroom theory and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, approved by the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Transportation.
  • You have not been involved in a crash in which you were partially or fully responsible during the past one year.
  • You have not been convicted of any violation of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code during the past one year.
  • You have the consent of a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is at least 18 years of age (this consent must be notarized).

Important notes from PennDOT:

  • You cannot be eligible if you are younger than 17½ years of age because of the combined waiting periods for the learner’s permit and junior license.
  • A Junior Driver’s License automatically becomes a Regular Driver’s License on your 18th birthday. No application is required at that time. If you want a physical card without the “JR” designation after age 18, you may request a duplicate.

Source: Official PennDOT guidance on moving from a junior to a senior license and the instructions printed on Form DL-59 itself.

Junior License Restrictions That Are Removed

A Pennsylvania Junior Driver’s License includes restrictions such as:

  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (with limited exceptions for work, school, or emergency services with proper documentation).
  • Passenger limits for non-family members under age 18.
  • Additional suspension risks for accumulating points or certain speeding violations.

Approval of Form DL-59 removes these junior restrictions, granting unrestricted non-commercial driving privileges (Class C or as applicable).

How to Complete PennDOT Form DL-59?

The form requires accurate information and multiple signatures. Sections include:

  • Section A – Driver Information: License number, full name, date of birth, telephone number, and email (if applicable).
  • Section B – Address Change (optional): Complete only if updating your address. A P.O. Box cannot be the sole address.
  • Section C – Eligibility Assessment: Answer yes/no questions about driver education completion, one-year holding period, crash history, and Vehicle Code convictions. Incorrect answers can disqualify the application.
  • Section D – Applicant Certification and Signature: Sign in ink. Optional contributions to the Organ Donation Awareness Trust Fund ($3) or Veterans’ Trust Fund ($5). Option to add a veterans designation if eligible.
  • Section E – Approved Driver Education: Must be completed and signed by a school official from an approved provider. Attach a certificate of completion if required. A current list of approved driver education programs is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  • Section F – Affidavit of Consent: Parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse (age 18+) must sign in the presence of a notary. The form must be notarized in this section.

Three signatures are required: the applicant (Section D), the school official (Section E), and the consenting adult with notary (Section F).

Fees for Form DL-59

According to the current Form DL-59 instructions:

  • No fee – Free Update Card to carry with your existing Junior Driver’s License.
  • $42.50 – Regular Non-Commercial Photo Driver’s License (replacement).
  • $48.50 – Regular Non-Commercial Photo Driver’s License with Class M (motorcycle).

Payment is accepted by check or money order payable to PennDOT (or debit/credit card in some processing contexts). PennDOT Driver License Centers do not accept cash. Optional donations to the Organ Donation or Veterans’ Trust Funds are added to the total if selected.

How to Submit Form DL-59?

Follow these official steps:

  1. Download and complete the current Form DL-59.
  2. Obtain all required signatures and notarization.
  3. Include any required attachments (driver education certificate if needed) and the correct fee if requesting a photo license.
  4. Mail the completed application to:
    PennDOT
    Bureau of Driver Licensing
    P.O. Box 68272
    Harrisburg, PA 17106-8272

If approved, PennDOT will issue an update card (or a new photo license if requested and paid for). Retain your junior license and carry the update card with it until you receive any new credential.

For the latest forms and information, visit the official PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website at pa.gov/agencies/dmv or pa.gov/dmv.

Additional Tips and Important Notes for Applicants

  • Use the most current version of the form (check the revision date, currently 7-25).
  • Misstatement of fact is a criminal offense under Pennsylvania law.
  • Out-of-state addresses are generally not accepted except for specific federal, state, or military personnel and their families with supporting documentation.
  • Driver education must be from a Pennsylvania-approved provider. Search for “Approved Driver Education” on the Pennsylvania Department of Education site.
  • After age 18, no DL-59 is needed—the license converts automatically. Request a duplicate if you want a new card without “JR.”
  • Contact the PennDOT Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET) for case-specific questions. Language assistance is available.

Official Resources and Downloads

Always verify details directly with PennDOT, as fees, form versions, and procedures can be updated. This information is based on current official Form DL-59 instructions and PennDOT guidance for Pennsylvania residents seeking to upgrade from a junior to a regular non-commercial driver’s license.

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