Preparing for Your Learner's Permit Test in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, you can apply for your learner's permit once you turn 16. Before you get too eager to start honing your driving skills, you need to complete some important steps to obtaining your permit.

First, you will need the learner's permit application which you can pick up for free at your local Driver's License Center or download online at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us You will need to fill this form out completely with your name, contact information, and the kind of permit you are applying for. Depending on what kind of permit you need, there is a fee for each one and you will need to pay for all of them. In most cases, though, you will initially want an automobile (class C) permit which costs $5.00.

If you are under 18, your parents must sign the form as well and there is a space for you to sign to say you want to be an organ donor.

After you complete the first half of the paper, you must have a physical exam. Your family doctor or other certified medical practitioner can complete the physical and they must fill out the second part of the application. This describes any health conditions you have that may not allow you to drive, such as a seizure or heart condition.

Before you go back to the Driver's License center, you need to read your Pennsylvania Driver's Manual. This can be picked up at the center and will tell you all the information you may need to know for your permit test and driving practices. You will learn about proper practices for driving on the roads, what to do in bad weather conditions, driving under the influence, and understand the different kinds of road signs.

At the end of each section, you can take a practice quiz to test your knowledge. If you don't like your score, you should go back and re-read a section until you fully understand it. Keep in mind, though, that reading a manual will be easier than actually going out to practice. When you're out on the road, it will take time to get everything just right.

Once you feel you've studied enough, you can go to the License Center at any time when they are open to take your test. You will need to bring:

Your completed permit application form

Proof of identity

Your Social Security card

For anyone over 18: you will need two proofs of residency such as a W-2 or a current utility bill.

An employee will test your vision (if you have corrective lenses, you can wear them during the vision test), and then you will take the permit test on a computer. The computer will automatically shut off once you answer enough questions to pass.

There is one thing you definitely should know: the legal blood alcohol limit in Pennsylvania is 0.08%. If you get this question wrong, you automatically fail.

Once you pass, you will be issued your learner's permit, which will be valid for one year. If you are under 18, you need to wait six months and log 50 hours of practice driving time before you can take your driver's test.

Obtaining your permit is the first step in learning how to drive. Having a license is a big responsibility, so no matter what, make sure to take the process of getting your learner's permit and practicing seriously. It could hold off your driving privileges for longer than you prefer.