Driver’s License
Before you can register or buy a car, you need either a valid PA drivers license OR a valid PA State ID + international drivers license*. To get a PA driver’s license or state ID you need to go to a Driver’s License Center (State College address: Route 26,, 812 W College Ave, Pleasant Gap, PA 16823)
You will need to have:
1. A completed DL-180 form (license) or a completed DL-54A form (ID)
2. Two proofs of residency (something like a utility bill or pay check with your PA address on it)
3. Social security card or SSA ineligibility letter
4. Proof of identity
a. If you are a US Citizen this can be an original copy of your birth certificate or US Passport
b. If you are a non-US Citizen, you need to have all original USCIS/immigration documents and passport (depending on status)
5. Check or money order payable to “Penn DOT” with the appropriate fee
If you have never had a driver’s license then you will also need to take a knowledge and skills test. More info on that and other details here
*You may use your international driver’s license for up to a year (as long as your license does not expire within that period). It is required to have a PA state ID from PennDOT to register your vehicle. If you have a J2 dependent and the car registration is not under their name, they do not require the state ID to drive the car, however, it is also recommended that they have a state ID for official proof of identification while driving.
PA Car Registration
Once you have a PA Drivers License OR State ID + international driver’s license*, you can register your car in PA. You can do this at Tri County Tags (253 Benner Pike B, State College, PA 16801) in State College.
To register an out-of-state car you will need:
1. Title
2. PA Driver’s License OR PA State ID
3. Picture or tracing of the VIN
4. Valid proof of insurance.
5. Check or credit card to pay appropriate fees
You will then have to schedule an inspection at an auto shop in town. If you are registering a used car you just bought that is already registered in PA, you don’t need to do an initial inspection unless the current one is expired. More info here
*You may use your international driver’s license for up to a year (as long as your license does not expire within that period). It is required to have a PA state ID from PennDOT to register your vehicle. If you have a J2 dependent and the car registration is not under their name, they do not require the state ID to drive the car, however, it is also recommended that they have a state ID for official proof of identification while driving.
Buying a Used Car
Many postdocs sell their cars through the postdoc-community list, but you can also find used cars in town through a local dealer. If you are buying from a private seller, like another postdoc, you will need to go to Tri County Tags to do a title transfer and registration (see above).
For the title transfer you need:
1. Title
2. Completed Bill of Sale (you can search for PA bill of sale forms and print one out)
Both the buyer and seller present to sign the title in front of a notary (Tri County Tags employee)
Campus Shuttle
The two-route Campus Shuttle service provides no-fare transportation across campus. The Campus Shuttle Interactive Map can be found here.
Additional no-fare campus service is available via CATA Bus Campus Service
CATA Bus Passes
You are eligible for a RIDEpass (bus pass provided by Penn State) if you live in State College more than 0.75 miles from a CATA campus service loop and don’t have a day-time campus parking pass. The pass costs $21/month and can be deducted directly from your monthly pay.
Register online for a RIDEpass here.
RIDEpass page
RIDEpass eligibility tool
On-Campus Parking
Postdocs at Penn State are eligible for faculty/staff parking passes for lots in the central part of campus. HOWEVER, each department is allotted a set number of these passes and they are first come, first serve so it is possible your department doesn’t have any left to give out. If this is the case, you can get a Commuter pass that allows you to park in the lots near Beaver Stadium. It is about a 15-20 min walk to the main campus from there.
Rates for parking passes here.
There are also evening/weekend passes for after 4 pm M-F and all day on Sat and Sun.
You should get an email from Transportation Services if your assigned lot is restricted or unavailable due to student move-in or move-out or a football game.
Tickets for unauthorized parking are ~$60 and you may not get a warning first.
More information on parking regulations here.
Parking lot map found here.
Bicycles
It is suggested that you register your bike if you plan on riding it on campus.