Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Venkat and Powell to introduce legislation to create exemption for state ID renewal fees

Venkat and Powell to introduce legislation to create exemption for state ID renewal fees

Would apply to seniors who surrender driver’s licenses for health concerns

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    March 9, 2026 | 9:05 AM

HARRISBURG, March 9 – Many older Pennsylvanians face health conditions that make it unsafe for them to continue driving, which often leads them to surrender their driver’s licenses and receive a free state photo identification card. However, subsequent renewals of these cards include a fee, which state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Lindsay Powell, both D-Allegheny, intend to remedy.

The Pittsburgh-area legislators plan to introduce legislation that would exempt Pennsylvanians age 65 or older that have surrendered their driver’s license for medical reasons from the fees associated with renewing their state photo ID.

“Giving up a driver’s license can be difficult, especially when it is due to a medical condition,” said Venkat. “We do not need to add an extra cost for seniors during this challenging situation. This legislation will allow older Pennsylvanians to make the responsible decision to surrender their license without the burden of additional financial hardship.”

“When many of our older neighbors live on fixed incomes, we should not be charging them unreasonable fees that could go toward health care, groceries, transportation, or any other costs they may have,” said Powell.

The current fee to renew a photo ID, as of July 2025, is $44.50. Over 20% of Pennsylvanians — nearly 2.6 million people — are aged 65 or older, one of the highest shares in the nation.

Venkat and Powell are currently circulating the proposal among their colleagues for support.