Where the Scranton DMV Office Is Located
The Scranton Driver License Center is at 100 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503. This is the main DMV office serving Lackawanna County and the surrounding area. It is located downtown, near the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour and the Steamtown National Historic Site.
The office handles driver's license renewals, replacements, and new licenses, as well as vehicle registration and title services. You can walk in without an appointment, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Mornings on weekdays tend to be less crowded than afternoons or Saturdays.
If you cannot reach the Scranton office or need to know current hours, call the Pennsylvania DMV at 1-717-787-2370. This number connects you to the state system, which can confirm whether the Scranton location is open and direct you to the nearest alternative if it is temporarily closed.
Key Takeaways
- The Scranton Driver License Center is downtown at 100 Lackawanna Avenue and handles licenses, registrations, and titles without requiring an appointment.
- You will need a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and your Social Security number to renew or replace a driver's license.
- Vehicle registration and title work require your current registration, proof of ownership, and a completed process form (MV-4).
- Bring original documents or certified copies — photocopies and digital photos are not accepted for most transactions.
- The Pennsylvania DMV website at www.dmv.pa.gov has forms, fee schedules, and information about what documents you need before you visit.
What Documents You Need for a Driver's License
For a new or renewed Pennsylvania driver's license, bring one primary form of identification and one proof of residency. A primary form is a passport, military ID, or an out-of-state driver's license. If you do not have one of these, you will need two secondary forms instead, such as a birth certificate and a Social Security card.
Proof of residency must show your current Scranton address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work. A driver's license renewal notice from Pennsylvania also counts. Bring the original document or a certified copy — the Scranton office does not accept photocopies or photos on a phone.
You will also need to provide your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card if you have it, or be prepared to state the number. If you are renewing and your address has not changed, the process is faster, but you still need to bring proof of residency because Pennsylvania requires it at every renewal.
Vehicle Registration and Title at the Scranton Office
To register a vehicle or transfer a title in Scranton, bring your current registration, proof of ownership (the title or bill of sale), and a completed process for Registration (Form MV-4). You can read the form from www.dmv.pa.gov or pick one up at the Scranton office. Bring the original title or a certified copy — a photocopy will not be accepted.
If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Pennsylvania, you will also need proof of a passing emissions test (unless the vehicle is exempt) and proof of insurance. The insurance company name and policy number are usually enough; you do not need to bring the full policy. Bring your identification and proof of residency as well.
Registration fees depend on the vehicle's weight and type. The Scranton office staff can tell you the exact fee when you arrive, or you can check the fee schedule on the Pennsylvania DMV website before you go. Title transfer fees are separate and also vary. Bring cash, a debit card, or a credit card — the office accepts all three.
Hours, Wait Times, and When to Visit
The Scranton Driver License Center is typically open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hours can change for holidays or staffing reasons, so call 1-717-787-2370 before you go if you are planning a weekend or holiday visit.
Wait times are usually shortest on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Avoid late Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, when the office is busiest. If you arrive and the wait is longer than you expected, you can leave and come back another day — no appointment is needed, so you are not locked into a time slot.
The office closes for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. If you are planning to visit during your lunch break, arrive before noon or after 1 p.m. to avoid the closure.
Common Scams and Safety Information
Do not use third-party websites that claim to speed up your DMV transaction or offer "priority service." The Pennsylvania DMV does not partner with private companies to process licenses or registrations faster. Any site charging a fee to renew your license or register your vehicle is taking your money without providing a service the DMV does not already offer for free or at the standard state fee.
Be cautious of emails or texts claiming to be from the Pennsylvania DMV asking you to verify your information or click a link. The DMV does not contact people by email or text to request personal details. If you receive such a message, do not click any links or provide information. Delete it and report it to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office.
When you visit the Scranton office, bring only the documents you need. Do not carry your Social Security card, passport, or other sensitive documents in a bag you leave unattended. Keep your eyes on your paperwork while you wait, and do not share your Social Security number or date of birth with anyone except the DMV staff member helping you.
What to Do If You Cannot Visit in Person
Pennsylvania allows some transactions by mail. If you are renewing a driver's license and your current license is not expired or suspended, you can renew by mail without visiting the Scranton office. read the renewal form from www.dmv.pa.gov, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order and a photocopy of your current license to the address on the form.
Vehicle registration renewals can also be done by mail if your registration is not expired. Mail your renewal notice, payment, and proof of insurance to the address listed on your registration card. Processing by mail takes longer than in-person service — typically two to four weeks instead of the same day.
If you need a replacement license because yours was lost or stolen, you must visit the office in person. The Scranton location is the only place in Lackawanna County where you can get a replacement the same day. If you live outside Scranton but closer to another Pennsylvania DMV office, you can visit that office instead — your license will be valid statewide.
Parking and Getting to 100 Lackawanna Avenue
Street parking is available on Lackawanna Avenue and nearby side streets, though spaces fill up during busy times. There is a paid parking garage one block away at 300 Lackawanna Avenue if street parking is full. The Scranton office is also accessible by public transit — the Luzerne and Lackawanna Transportation Authority (LANTA) serves the downtown area with multiple bus routes that stop near the building.
If you are driving from outside Scranton, use GPS or a map app to navigate to 100 Lackawanna Avenue. The building is in downtown Scranton, near the Radisson Lackawanna Heritage Hotel. Allow extra time for parking if you visit during peak hours (late morning or early afternoon on weekdays).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online instead of going to the Scranton office?
Pennsylvania does not offer online license renewal. You can renew by mail if your license is not expired, or you can visit the Scranton office in person. Mail renewal takes two to four weeks; in-person renewal is usually completed the same day.
What if I lost my birth certificate and cannot find a primary form of ID?
You can order a certified copy of your birth certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Health or the county where you were born. Bring that certified copy plus two other secondary forms of identification (such as a Social Security card and a bank statement) to the Scranton office. The staff can help you determine whether your documents meet the requirements.
Do I need an appointment to visit the Scranton DMV?
No. The Scranton Driver License Center operates on a walk-in basis. You do not need to schedule ahead, but you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is when you arrive.
What if my vehicle title is from another state?
Bring your out-of-state title, proof of insurance, and a completed Pennsylvania process for Registration (Form MV-4) to the Scranton office. The staff will help you transfer the title to Pennsylvania. You will also need proof of a passing emissions test unless your vehicle is exempt.
Is there a DMV office in a different part of Scranton or nearby?
The office at 100 Lackawanna Avenue is the only DMV location in Scranton. If you live in a neighboring county, you may be closer to a different Pennsylvania DMV office. Call 1-717-787-2370 to find the nearest location to you.