Although she turned 16 in April, the closure of non-essential businesses due to COVID-19 meant that Laina Whipkey was barred from going to a PennDOT driver’s license center to test for her driver’s permit.

But that changed May 15 when PennDOT reopened for business, as part of Pennsylvania’s move to the “yellow phase.” Once they heard the news, Laina and her mother, Jennifer, quickly decided to drive to the center in McCandless for her test on Tuesday.

“I passed my test, too, thankfully,” said Laina, as she and her mother were leaving the center.

For now, however, PennDOT will limit some of its services to avoid long lines and wait times. Non-commercial road testing and Real ID applications, for example, are not yet available.

PennDOT also is limiting the amount of customers allowed in the storefront to abide by recommended safety procedures and social distancing rules, and has an employee stationed outside the front door to direct people entering and leaving.

A worker, who declined to give his name, was stationed outside the center on Tuesday and said early morning lines were long and included teenagers who, like Laina, were attempting to receive their driver’s permit or license.

Mark Leed of McCandless needed a license renewal, but the mundane task presented an opportunity.

“My license expired last month, so when I heard that PennDOT was reopening I hopped in my car and came by,” said Mr. Leed. “I know it’s a pretty tedious thing, but it feels kind of good to be able to run errands like this again.”

First Published: May 19, 2020, 6:36 p.m.