Frequently Asked Questions

Although being employed may be one part of getting an Occupational Limited License in PA, hardship is never considered as the deciding factor. PennDOT will not consider that you need to work to support your family. They do not care if there is no public transportation. There is no system to decide that you have a great need so you should have the OLL issued.

Decisions on the  Occupational Limited License are made based on your driving history, the types of violations, the length of your suspension, and occupational needs like (work, school, & medical reasons).

You can call us and after a short phone conversation, we can tell if you would qualify for the OLL or if there were any steps we could take to get you qualified or if a fight to have your full license restored makes sense.

An Occupational Limited License (OLL) is a limited driver’s license issued to a driver whose Pennsylvania driving privilege has been suspended. If your driving privilege has been revoked, disqualified, cancelled or recalled, you are not eligible for an OLL. If you have never been licensed by this or any other state, and you are not a resident of PA, you are also ineligible to apply. An OLL authorizes driving a designated non-commercial motor vehicle, under certain conditions, only when it is necessary for the driver’s occupation, work, trade, medical treatment or study.

Note: This petition must be mailed to the address listed on the DL-15 and will not be accepted or processed at any PennDOT Driver License Centers.

A fee for applying for an OLL is listed on the petition and is non-refundable.

Certain violations may make you ineligible depending on previous violations or a conviction date. In most cases, after the suspension time has been fully served for an ineligible violation or the violation has been released, it is no longer a disqualifying violation. Refer to the chart below to help determine eligibility.

Please note that on or after August 25, 2017, the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues amends Title 75 (Vehicles) so the Department will no longer be able to issue an Occupational limited license (OLL) to a driver whose operating privilege is suspended or revoked for one or more violations under section 1547 (relating to chemical testing to determine amount of alcohol or controlled substance) or 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance) or under former section 3731 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance) or a violation substantially similar to a violation under section 3802 or former section 3731 in another jurisdiction. However, you may be eligible for an Ignition Interlock limited license (IILL).

Vehicle Code | Vehicle Code Description | Eligibility | Additional Eligibility Information

1532(c) | Any offenses involving controlled substances | Yes | Only if the conviction report was sent between 01/01/2004 and 10/27/2014 and the conviction date is more than 10 days before PennDOT processed the conviction report.

1371 | Operation following suspension of registration | Yes | If no other disqualifying violations are reported

1501A | Driver required to be licensed | Yes | If no other disqualifying violations are reported

1533 | Failure to respond to a Citation | No | Ineligible until citation is satisfied/released

1538(a) | Failure to undergo a special | No | Ineligible until exam or hearing is held and a determination is made

1538(b) | Failure to attend a departmental Hearing | No | Ineligible until hearing is held and a determination is made

1543(a) | Driving while Suspended | Yes | Eligible once 3 months of the suspension is served and only if it is the result of a 1533, 6146, 1538(a), 1538(b), 1772(b), 1774, and/or 1775

1543(b) | Driving while (DUI related) Suspended | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

1547 | Refusal to Submit to Chemical Testing | No | See question/answers below

1772(b) /1774/1775 | Unsatisfied Judgement as a result of a motor vehicle | No | Ineligible unless judgment is satisfied or an agreement is made

1786(f) | Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3345 | Passing a School Bus | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3367 | Racing on Highways | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3732 | Homicide by Vehicle – Includes 3732.1 | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3733 | Fleeing a Police Officer | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3734 | Driving Without Lights | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3735 | Aggravated Assault while DUI – Includes 3735.1 | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3736 | Reckless Driving | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3742 | Accidents Involving Death or Injury – Includes 3742.1 | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3743 | Leaving Scene of an Accident | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

A3802 | ARD Driving Under the Influence | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

3802/3731 | Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – First Offense | No | See question/answers below

3802 | Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – Second Offense | No | See question/answer below

4355 | Support Obligations | No | Ineligible until suspension is satisfied/released

6146 | Failure to Respond to Citation | No | Ineligible until citation is satisfied/released

6308 | Underage Alcohol offense | Yes | Eligible only for the first offense

7102(b) | Removal of falsification of identification number | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

7103(b) | Dealing in vehicles with removed or falsified numbers | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

7111 | Dealing in titles and plates for stolen Vehicles | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

7121 | False application for certificates of title registration | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

7122 | Altered, forged or counterfeit documents and plates | No | Ineligible until suspension term is fully served

No, the Department will no longer be able to issue an Occupational Limited License (OLL) to a driver whose operating privilege is suspended or revoked for one or more violations under section 1547 (relating to chemical testing to determine amount of alcohol or controlled substance) or under former section 3731 (relating to driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance) or violation substantially similar to a violation under section 3802 or former section 3731 in another jurisdiction.

If you have pulled a copy of your Driving History the Processing Date can be calculated by looking at the “Official Notice Mailed” date and subtracting 7 days. If you have letters from your suspensions your processing date will be shown in the top right corner of the letter. These violations must have a court certification date from 1/1/04 to 10/27/14. Additional information can be found under the Controlled Substance Act in the PA vehicle code under section 1532(c).

Yes, provided all requirements are met, you would be eligible for a non-commercial OLL only.

If your suspension is in effect, you must surrender your driver’s license if you have not done so already. If your driver’s license has expired, you must submit an application for renewal, along with the appropriate fee. All fines, costs and restoration fees must be paid at the time of petition. Follow the instructions in the petition for further instructions.

Within 20 days of receiving your petition, the Department will inform you in writing whether or not you qualify for an OLL. If you qualify, you will receive an OLL camera card to obtain a photo OLL. You are to carry your photo OLL and DL-15A together at all times.

In order to apply, you must complete an Occupational Limited License Petition (form DL-15). Then send the form, along with a check or money order, proof of insurance (copies only) and the required Restoration Fee (if not previously paid) by mail to the Department.

If the DL-15 form is received and approved prior to the effective date of your suspension, one of two things will happen:

1) If the effective date of suspension is less than 15 days from the process date, the Department will delay the start of your suspension for up to 15 days and issue an interim license;

2) If the effective date is greater than 15 days from the process date, the Department will not delay the suspension. Your actual OLL will be sent to you. You can continue to use your regular license until the OLL arrives.

Note: Your suspension will begin upon the new effective date if an interim is issued.

The OLL is valid for the length of your suspension term. After your driving privilege has been restored, the Department will return your valid regular driver’s license.

Only if you are given a suspension due to the result of a Departmental Hearing or if you were convicted of a point related violation which resulted in an “add on” suspension. The Department will notify you and send you the application to extend your OLL. (DL-80OP)

If you are convicted of an offense for which the penalty is a cancellation, disqualification, recall, suspension, or revocation of your driving privilege, the Department will recall your OLL and you must surrender the OLL to the Department.

The Department does not need to be notified of any vehicle changes for the purposes of maintaining a valid OLL but your DL-15A should be updated and kept with your OLL.

Yes. You may file with the Department a petition for an Administrative Hearing accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee of $100.00. Additional information regarding this filing process will be provided upon request. “Hardship or extraordinary medical circumstances DO NOT qualify you to receive an OLL.”

You may be issued only one (1) OLL every five (5) years.

You may write to: PA Department of Transportation, Bureau of Driver Licensing, OLL/PL Unit, P.O. Box 68689, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8689 or visit the Driver Vehicle Services website at www.dmv.pa.gov.

Note: You may submit one check or money order for all required fees made payable to: PennDOT