Pennsylvania Department of Transportation – Driver License Center, Penn Hills — Local services in Penn Hills

It is not a big DMV location but it gets the job done. The DMV is located in a strip mall so there are lots of free parking around it. Inside, it is neat, with lots of seating, and clean public restrooms. There are test booths inside for the written test, and a special seating area for people waiting to take the road test (see photos).

There is a constant stream of people coming in, but the DMV staff are very good at directing and processing them so most transactions were quickly completed. There is a booth right in front, where you explain your business, show documents, are given forms, and are provided a queue ticket for your type of transaction.

This site can accept and process applications for Real ID. After your documents are checked and validated, and you paid the fee, a hole is punched in your existing license, a receipt given, and a new camera card provided. The camera card is just a piece of paper with your driving details and signature on it. Bring it to the photograph section, they will call you, and will use its details to take your picture for the Real ID license. This new licence will be mailed to you in a few days time. Meanwhile, your old license (with the hole in it) is still valid as long as you keep it together with the receipt and the crossed out camera card (you will get the camera card back after the picture taking).

The validity period of the Real ID is like a full renewal, and your current validity period is added on top of it, so you do not lose the time.

The strip mall also have an auto tag notary location that can process out of state vehicle transfers for a fee. The strip mall itself has a confusing carpark setup with criss-cross lanes, and multiple entry and exit points. It is easy enough to come in, but perplexing to leave, so best to look around first before...

Having read the reviews, I was afraid this place would be a disaster. It was fine. There's no waiting in lines or trying to guess which line moves fastest. You get a ticket when you enter then go to the waiting area for your type of interaction (basically 'driver's test' or 'other'). They announce the next number by a reasonably clear computer-generated voice and a lighted sign over the available desk. I waited about an hour on a Saturday afternoon sitting and doing paperwork (grading exams, in my case). I noticed that each customer was greeted with a friendly 'How are you' and that most of them were handled quickly. I didn't see anyone who seemed upset with the service they received. When my turn came, I gave the clerk my form for replacing a lost license (lost my wallet) and the required ID and prepared to write a check. He pointed out that I would instead be able to renew the license if it were within 6 months of expiration. My expiration date was a few days more that 6 months away. He tried to convince the computer to renew it anyway. The computer couldn't be convinced but I was impressed that he tried and that he explained the situation to me. He could have just processed the form and let me pay for a replacement license which would expire in just over 6 months. Since I don't drive much (work withing biking distance) I decided that it made much more sense to wait a few days and get a new license which would be good for 2.5 years rather than wasting money on one which would expire soon anyway. I thought it was very good of him to make the situation clear to me. The DMV and the dentist are never fun-filled experiences but this DMV certainly didn' t seem to match the negative reviews...

The employees need better Real ID training. I went to get one and all my paperwork looked good except I needed a form from an eye doctor. That was no one's fault. However, when I went back about a week later with the form, I got someone different, and he did not think one of my proof of addresses was sufficient. It was a bank statement that had my full name and address on it. His main issue seemed to be that I didn't print all 4 pages. (I only printed the first page because that had the address on it... why waste paper?)

But what makes no sense is that the first person thought it was fine. And my husband (who went on a different day) used the same exact proof of addresses (most likely got a different employee) and was given no issues either. When I explained this, he said the last person must have made a mistake. He then asked a lady above him and she agreed that my proof was not enough.

After that, I picked up extra proof of addresses from home and went to the Jeannette location instead. They were much more organized and efficient. When I said what happened, they were surprised at what I was told and apologized. They said my original proof of addresses were indeed totally acceptable. So all that extra running around was for nothing.

I understand that the second employee (& his superior) were trying to be thorough. However, their mistake resulted in extra hassle and an additional hour round trip that could have been avoided. Please get all employees on the same page when it comes to...