Expired License Issues

[chadwoodworth]

I have a question that is relevant to my predicament. I was in the U.S. Military for the past seven years. I have an Alaska drivers license and it expired in 2005. I had just returned from Iraq in 2005 and went to Hawaii. When I went to the DMV, they informed me that I was to keep my license as long as it was not damaged because the state of Alaska adopted the policy where I have 90 days to renew my expired licsense. I deployed again and never really put much thought into it. I then separated the military in order to take care of my two girls while my wife was in school in PA. At first, I thought I would be living here so I thought I would go down to the DMV to renew my license. They told me I could not because I was not a resident here. Things changed and I end up having to come back to PA and now that the 45 day time period is up I cannot renew my license. I have to start all over which is fine if I could get it done quickly, but I have to get a physical, learners permit, then six months later I can get my drivers license. Obviously, I can't avoid driving to work because my kids need to eat. What will happen if/when I get pulled over? I have never even been pulled over before so I don't know how it actually works.

[Creeker]

I have a question that is relevant to my predicament. I was in the U.S. Military for the past seven years. I have an Alaska drivers license and it expired in 2005. I had just returned from Iraq in 2005 and went to Hawaii. When I went to the DMV, they informed me that I was to keep my license as long as it was not damaged because the state of Alaska adopted the policy where I have 90 days to renew my expired licsense. I deployed again and never really put much thought into it. I then separated the military in order to take care of my two girls while my wife was in school in PA. At first, I thought I would be living here so I thought I would go down to the DMV to renew my license. They told me I could not because I was not a resident here. Things changed and I end up having to come back to PA and now that the 45 day time period is up I cannot renew my license. I have to start all over which is fine if I could get it done quickly, but I have to get a physical, learners permit, then six months later I can get my drivers license. Obviously, I can't avoid driving to work because my kids need to eat. What will happen if/when I get pulled over? I have never even been pulled over before so I don't know how it actually works.

First, Thank You for serving.

I'm not in PA, but I'm very surprised you need a Physical to get a DL there, unless its as a truck driver.

My gut tells me that you will be ticketed for no DL and your vehicle would likely be towed, at your expense.

Look for additional penalties, though.

Someone will be along shortly with a more expert estimation.;)

[retdetsgt]

You need to either contact Alaska DMV and see what can be done or start all over and get a PA license.

Thanks for your service, but you need to take care of the license as soon as you can. Getting caught with an expired llicense can get expensive.

[chadwoodworth]

I doubt the Alaskan DMV would do much to help, but that is something I havn't done yet. I want to do something as soon as possible and I am sure I will be a resident of PA. They actualy require me to start all over starting with a physical and then they told me it takes 6 months to get my DL after I get my LP. I support pollice officers and hold them to my highest respect, so you can imagine my embarassment. I will try contacting the Alaskan DMV and see if they can help me.

Thanks again

[retdetsgt]

That sounds bizarre that it would take that long to get a DL anywhere. Check back occasionally, some PA officers are on here and may be able to give you better info.

[chadwoodworth]

Yeah, that is what the book says that they gave me. Maybe that is only if the person was under age. It doesn't say, so maybe that is for a new driver. The DMV (Drivers License Center) said I can't get a license until I start over and then I will have to have a LP for 6 months. I don't think they like military, because even though I am not active anymore, I still joind the National guard, so I have a military I.D. but after they saw that they would not answer my questions and I thought I was very polite, considering the disapointing news.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. My situation may still be the same, but at leasts someone answered some questions for me.

[retdetsgt]

I really think LP's are only for first time drivers. Did you take your Alaska license down to PA DMV and tell them you want to take the PA test? That's generally all that's required. Although I've learned on this forum that PA has some strange practices, so I dunno.:confused:

[drbne313]

Getting Your Learner's Permit

At the bottom it says if you are under 18 you must complete a 6 month period. Doesnt say how long after 18.

Thank you for serving, Good luck to you, Sir.

[creolecop]

Just call the PA dmv and tell them your Alaska DL expired while you were shipping back and fourth around the world at war and now your setteling in PA and what do you need to do. They will explain everything, from what you said it sounds like it's for first time license people. Alot of places will even let you trade your expired DL (as long as it's not suspended just expired) for a valid DL in that state. the idea is that instead of renewing your expired dl in the old state you renew it with a new one in your new state. I moved around alot in the military myself and have had many states DL's and only took a test once upon applying for my first one, everywhere else did a one for one swap, all that was required was taking my picture and giving them my old one.

[greg72982]

If you get pulled over you can be charged under 1501(a) Driver's required to be licensed. Here is the statute:

§ 1501. Drivers required to be licensed.
(a) General rule.--No person, except those expressly
exempted, shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway or public
property in this Commonwealth unless the person has a driver's
license valid under the provisions of this chapter. As used in
this subsection, the term "public property" includes, but is not
limited to, driveways and parking lots owned or leased by the
Commonwealth, a political subdivision or an agency or
instrumentality of either.
(b) Persons in towed vehicles.--No person, except those
expressly exempted, shall steer or, while within the passenger
compartment of the vehicle, exercise any degree of physical
control of a vehicle being towed by a motor vehicle upon a
highway in this Commonwealth unless the person has a valid
driver's license under the provisions of this chapter for the
type or class of vehicle being towed.
(c) Limitation on number of licenses.--No person shall
receive a driver's license unless and until the person
surrenders to the department all valid licenses in the person's
possession issued by this or any other state. The department
shall either return surrendered licenses issued by another state
to that state or submit a list of the surrendered licenses to
the state, together with information that the person is licensed
in this Commonwealth. No person shall be permitted to have more
than one valid driver's license issued by this or any other
state at any time. A nonresident who holds a nonresident
commercial driver's license issued by the Commonwealth under
Chapter 16 (relating to commercial drivers) shall be permitted
to have a regular driver's license issued by the country of his
residence.
(d) Penalty.--Any person violating subsection (a) is guilty
of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to
pay a fine of $200, except that, if the person charged furnishes
satisfactory proof of having held a driver's license valid on
the last day of the preceding driver's license period and no
more than one year has elapsed from the last date for renewal,
the fine shall be $25. No person charged with violating
subsection (a) or (b) shall be convicted if the person produces
at the office of the issuing authority within 15 days of the
violation:
(1) a driver's license valid in this Commonwealth at the
time of the violation; or
(2) if the driver's license is lost, stolen, destroyed
or illegible, evidence that the driver was licensed at the
time of the violation.

I don't beleive a conviction under this section results in a suspension if you do get a license. Your car also may be towed. I normally give them a chance to have a valid driver come to the scene within a reasonable time.

[Creeker]

So Greg, since you stepped up, does he have to get a physical as well as a PA Learners Permit, since he has been a licensed Alaska Driver?

A Physical?

[Creeker]

I'd try using the Military extention deal first, like someone else said, but if it doesn't work, I found this from the earlier posted link:

PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - New Residents

How to Apply for a Non-Commercial Driver's License in PA

last paragraph...

Out-of-state learner’s permits cannot be transferred to Pennsylvania. In addition, if your out-of-state driver’s license has been expired for more than six months, it cannot be transferred for a Pennsylvania Driver’s License. You must apply for a Pennsylvania Learner’s Permit and complete all applicable knowledge and skills tests in order to obtain a Pennsylvania Driver’s License.

I don't see anywhere except on the application form where a Physical is required, only that it may be required after you answer yes to some disability related questions on the following form:
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms...ms/dl-180r.pdf

[greg72982]

So Greg, since you stepped up, does he have to get a physical as well as a PA Learners Permit, since he has been a licensed Alaska Driver?

A Physical?

I originally thought that was his question then I read it again and realized it wasn't. That would be a PennDOT question. Probably any driver's license center could give him a better answer...

[PapaBear]

Here you are, research your issues here:

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms.../chapter15.pdf