PennDOT to renew driver's licenses with old photos during pandemic

A lot of people don’t like their driver’s license photo and, for the time being, Pennsylvanians won’t have to worry about taking one.

PennDOT announced Tuesday it will use existing photos on file for customers who renew their driver’s license and identification card.

The move is designed to lower the risk of spreading covid-19 by limiting the number of people showing up in driver and photo license centers.

Those who renew their driver’s license or photo ID card online or through the mail will receive a new license using the most recent photo of them that exists in PennDOT’s system.

The new license will arrive by mail within 15 days, PennDOT said.

“This new process is not only a convenience, but it will help to keep our customers and staff safe,” said Acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian.

Noncommercial driver’s license and photo ID card holders can renew online, as long as no corrections or changes other than a change of address are needed.

Anyone who renewed their license on or before May 10 will receive a camera card in the mail and will still be required to go to a PennDOT Photo License Center to have an updated photo taken.

All non-U.S. citizens also are required to go to a driver’s license center in person to renew their license.

PennDOT said expiration dates on driver’s licenses, photo ID cards, learner’s permits and camera cards scheduled to expire between March 16 and May 31 have been extended until June 30.

For now, the issuance of REAL ID licenses is suspended in an effort to prevent the spread of covid-19. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, one year beyond the original deadline.

In addition, PennDOT has extended expiration dates for vehicle registration and safety and emission inspections through June 30.

Renewal of parking placards for people with disabilities has also been extended through June 30.