Form DL-54A — Application for Initial Identification Card (Pennsylvania)

What is Form DL-54A?

Form DL-54A is the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's application for an initial photo identification card. It covers three situations: you have never held a Pennsylvania driver's license, permit or ID card; you hold a Pennsylvania license or permit and are switching to a non-driver ID; or you want an ID card alongside your current or expired license.

The form asks for your physical description, address, any licenses or IDs from other states, and which block in section C fits you. If you are giving up a license, it also asks why: for health reasons, voluntarily, because a parent withdrew consent, or because the license is suspended. You can add a veterans designation, choose the organ donor designation, and give $3 to the Organ Donation Awareness Trust Fund or $5 to the Veterans' Trust Fund.

FileIt asks only the questions that apply to your situation and prints the answers on PennDOT's own DL-54A. The total in the TOTAL box comes from the fee printed beside your block plus any contributions. The name and date of birth are pre-filled from the person's record in your family vault, and the finished form is saved to their folder for you to sign in ink.

Who needs to fill out Form DL-54A?

• Pennsylvania residents who have never had a PA license, permit or ID card and want a photo ID.
• Drivers giving up their license because of a health condition, who can switch to an ID card free of charge.
• People voluntarily surrendering their driving privilege, or whose license is suspended, who still need photo ID.
• Licensed drivers who want an ID card as well as their current or expired PA license.
• Teenagers 10 or older who need photo ID before they're old enough to drive.

When to use Form DL-54A

• Before visiting a Driver License Center for a first ID card (block 1). That application can't be mailed.
• When mailing PennDOT a request for a non-driver ID card in place of a license (block 2).
• When you want an ID card in addition to your Pennsylvania driver's license or permit (block 3).
• If a parent or guardian is withdrawing consent for a minor to drive, together with Form DL-100A.

What you need before you start

• Your name, date of birth, height, eye color, phone number, and Social Security or driver's license number.
• Your current Pennsylvania street address.
• The states and numbers of any learner's permits, licenses or ID cards you've held elsewhere.
• For block 1: your original Social Security card and a birth certificate with a raised seal, U.S. passport or citizenship or naturalization certificate, plus two proofs of residency.
• Your Pennsylvania license or permit if you're surrendering it, or the details if it's lost, stolen or confiscated.
• A check or money order payable to PennDOT if mailing.

What’s on Form DL-54A

The 2025 edition has 3 pages. FileIt asks for it in 9 parts:

1. Section A: About youApplicant
2. Sex/gender designationApplicant
3. Your address, voting and organ donationApplicant
4. Section B: Licenses from other statesApplicant
5. Section C: What you're applying forApplicant
6. Suspension acknowledgementApplicant
7. Section D: Certification, contributions and paymentApplicant
8. Organ donor parental consent (applicants under 18)Parent, guardian or spouse (organ donor consent)
9. Out-of-state address exemptionApplicant

How to fill out Form DL-54A, step by step

1 Section A: About you

Enter your name, date of birth, height, Social Security or license number, phone and eye color, then the sex/gender designation you want on the card.

2 Address, voting and organ donation

Give your current street address. Tick the voter box only if you don't want this application to update your voter registration, and choose whether to add or remove the organ donor designation.

3 Section B: Other states

Say whether you hold a valid out-of-state driver's license, which you must surrender, and list the states where you've held a permit, license or ID.

4 Section C: Your block

Pick block 1, 2 or 3. For block 2, choose the reason, and FileIt shows the follow-up questions for that reason, such as the suspension acknowledgement.

5 Section D: Extras and payment

Add the veterans designation if you qualify, choose any trust fund contributions, and pick how you'll pay. FileIt fills in the total.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Mailing a block 1 application. First-time applicants must apply in person at a Driver License Center.
• Not attaching your license or permit when surrendering it, or skipping the acknowledgement when it can't be attached.
• Forgetting to add trust fund contributions to your payment after ticking the boxes.
• Sending cash. PennDOT takes a check or money order by mail, and Driver License Centers don't accept cash.
• Using an out-of-state address without the government or military employment exemption and its documents.
• Leaving out the DL-100A when a parent or guardian withdraws consent.

After you fill it out

Print the form and sign it in ink. For block 1, take it with your original identity and residency documents to a Driver License Center.

For blocks 2 and 3, mail it with your payment, and your license or permit if surrendering it, to the Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 68272, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8272.

When the ID card arrives, add it to your FileIt vault so you're reminded before it expires.

If your last name differs from the one on your birth document, bring the marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order that links them.

Form DL-54A: frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Blank form (PDF), published by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT): https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl-form/dl-54a.pdf
• Official instructions and guidance: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/photo-id-cards
• Edition shown on this page: DL-54A (7-25) (checked 2026-10-19).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-19.

Related forms

All United States forms · Every form FileIt can fill