Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT) Service client

Calling this number is actually quite helpful, whether or not you need assistance from a live person. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has set up a robust automated help system that provides plenty of details about commonly asked questions, along with the option to speak to a live representative if needed.

For starters, one should know that this number is only meant to be used by customers with normal hearing who live outside the Commonwealth's borders. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has set up four phone numbers, two for those with normal hearing and two for those who are hard of hearing. Each of those numbers is further divided by whether the customer is in-state or out-of-state.

When I dialed this number, I was instructed to choose what my problem was about and given several options, including getting a new license and getting a new title and registration. I opted for license services, and I was asked if I was renewing a license, wanted driver history or was moving to Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license, among several other choices.

I said I was moving to Pennsylvania, and the system asked me if I wanted to transfer a commercial or non-commercial license. I said non-commercial, and it said that within 60 days of moving to Pennsylvania, I would need to bring a valid license, Social Security card, proof of identity and two proofs of residence to a PennDOT location. I would also need to take a vision test to get my new license, and if my license had been expired for more than 6 months, I would need to start over again with a learner's permit before I could get a new license.

The system asked if I wanted to hear what qualified as proof of residency and identity, and I said yes. The system told me that a passport or birth certificate would qualify as proof of identity. It said proof of residence included tax forms, utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage documents and W-2 forms. It still had yet to tell me the cost, so I pressed 0 as a hunch and was moved off the automated menu to the line to speak to a representative.

I waited 10 minutes and told the representative the system had answered most of my questions, but I still wasn't sure what the cost was for a new license. She said that if I was a new resident of Pennsylvania, the cost of a new license would be $39.50. I told her that was all I needed, and she thanked me for calling PennDOT and wished me a pleasant day.

Overall, I think this system is well set up. It doesn't tell you to dial 0 for help, which is an issue, but otherwise, it provides great information that covers the majority of customers. Should a customer need one-on-one assistance from a person, the ability to get it is just one button away.