Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Many PennDOT driver’s license and photo ID centers have closed in recent years, leaving third-party agents, such as AAA and other businesses, as the only convenient option for many Pennsylvanians. These vendors are allowed to add their own fees over and above the standard PennDOT fees, and the extra charges can be exorbitant. This is especially burdensome to individuals who are older, have disabilities, and/or live far from an official PennDOT location.   
 

My office heard recently from a constituent who was charged $80 by their local PennDOT vendor for a renewal photo ID, which is more than double the regular PennDOT fee. Travelling to an official PennDOT site was not a viable option, nor was it an option to try to find a vendor somewhere with a lower fee; they needed to use the closest site given their mobility challenges.  
 

I plan to introduce legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from excessive fees for driver’s licenses and ID services by PennDOT agents. My legislation is modelled on Connecticut’s statute, which limits these extra fees to $8. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation.