How To Get Alcohol Delivery Certification in Pennsylvania?
Alcohol delivery is booming in Pennsylvania, and whether you're a gig worker, liquor store owner, or restaurant manager, the opportunity to expand your business or income is undeniable. But there’s one problem—most people don’t know that delivering alcohol in Pennsylvania requires specific training, documentation, and a special license.
May 12
It’s not enough to simply accept a delivery request from Uber Eats or DoorDash. To legally deliver beer, wine, or liquor in Pennsylvania, you may need a Transporter-for-Hire License and relevant training that teaches you how to check IDs, identify intoxicated customers, and understand delivery zones and restrictions.
This guide will explain the full process to get certified, walk you through the licensing requirements set by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), and show you how to get started with a recognized training like the National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification—a perfect fit for both gig workers and business staff involved in alcohol delivery.
Let’s break it all down and help you deliver alcohol legally, safely, and successfully.
✅ Is Alcohol Delivery Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes—but with rules.
Alcohol delivery is legal in Pennsylvania under specific conditions. Both businesses and individual drivers must follow state law, which includes:
- Verifying recipients are 21 or older
- Refusing service to intoxicated individuals
- Understanding and respecting local county laws (some are still dry)
- Holding the proper Transporter-for-Hire License
- Delivering only during permitted hours
Alcohol can be legally delivered by:
- Licensed retailers (restaurants, beer distributors, wine shops)
- Businesses or individuals with a Transporter-for-Hire License
- Third-party app drivers contracted under compliant entities
📑 Do I Need a License To Deliver Alcohol in PA?
Yes. If you're transporting alcohol for hire, Pennsylvania law requires you to hold a Transporter-for-Hire License issued by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB).
🛻 What Is the Transporter-for-Hire License?
This license applies to any business or individual delivering alcohol for compensation. There are three types:
- Class A – For transporting liquor, malt, or brewed beverages anywhere in PA.
- Class B – For malt/brewed beverages only.
- Class C – For liquor parcels within Pennsylvania (often used by parcel companies or fleets).
📌 Application Details:
- File with the PLCB
- Pay the required fees:
- Class A or C: $265 + $700 new filing fee
- Class B: $160 + $700 new filing fee - License is valid through the calendar year
- You may operate multiple vehicles under one license
- Carry invoices and bills of lading during delivery
🚧 The Biggest Challenges in Alcohol Delivery
Navigating alcohol delivery in Pennsylvania can be tricky. Here are the most common pain points drivers and businesses face—and what to do about them:
1. “I didn’t know I needed a license!”
Many believe that accepting a delivery through DoorDash or Uber Eats is enough. It’s not. You need a Transporter-for-Hire License to be compliant.
2. Confusing RAMP With Delivery Certification
RAMP is great for in-store alcohol service—but it doesn’t cover delivery rules. Delivery drivers need specialized training, like the National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification.
3. Legal Risks Are High
Delivering to someone who is underage or intoxicated can lead to fines, legal action, and account deactivation from delivery apps.
4. No Clear Training From Gig Apps
Uber Eats or DoorDash don’t offer detailed training, which leaves drivers vulnerable to mistakes during ID checks and refusals.
5. Complex County-Level Laws
Some counties still restrict alcohol sales or delivery hours, and drivers are expected to know the difference.
🧠 Why You Need Alcohol Delivery Certification (Not Just RAMP)
There’s a big difference between RAMP and a true alcohol delivery training program. The National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification covers what RAMP doesn’t—like proper ID checking at the door, refusal protocols, transportation documents, and state-specific laws for mobile alcohol handling.
📈 Trends Transforming Alcohol Delivery in PA
Understanding industry trends helps you stay competitive, compliant, and ahead of the curve.
- 🚀 Rapid Growth in E-Commerce Alcohol Delivery - Pennsylvania's alcohol e-commerce sector has grown over 70% since 2020, driven by convenience and changing consumer behavior.
- 📱 Platform Integration of Alcohol Orders - Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub now offer alcohol delivery in select Pennsylvania cities—but require proper training and ID-verification skills.
- 💻 Online Certification Goes Mainstream - Training programs in PA like Certification Experts’ online courses are becoming the industry standard, providing 24/7 access for busy drivers and businesses.
- 🧾 Enhanced Delivery App Compliance - Apps now include features for scanning IDs, refusal logging, and GPS-based delivery zone enforcement.
- 🛒 Rise of Independent Retailer Delivery - Liquor stores, breweries, and distributors are launching in-house alcohol delivery services, creating demand for certified and licensed drivers outside the gig economy.
🧾 Practical Tips for Alcohol Delivery in Pennsylvania
Delivering alcohol in Pennsylvania isn’t as simple as dropping off a pizza—it requires legal awareness, confidence, and professional conduct. Here are detailed, practical tips to help you stay compliant and successful:
✅ 1. Get Certified First
Before you take your first alcohol order, complete a reliable training program like the National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification.
This certification will teach you:
- How to check IDs correctly (including real vs. fake)
- When to refuse delivery
- The consequences of violating state laws
- What documentation must be carried
- How to handle hostile or intoxicated recipients
Why it matters: Certification builds trust with customers, protects you from costly mistakes, and helps you qualify for alcohol delivery through platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.
📄 2. Apply for Your License
In Pennsylvania, a Transporter-for-Hire License is required if you deliver alcohol for compensation. Choose the license class that fits your delivery scope:
- Class A – All alcohol types to/from anywhere in the state
- Class B – Malt and brewed beverages only
- Class C – Liquor parcels only (commonly for logistics companies)
Apply directly through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), and file early—licenses take time to process.
Why it matters: Without this license, you're operating illegally, and that can lead to state fines, legal penalties, and loss of delivery gig access.
📦 3. Keep Your Paperwork Handy
You must carry both an invoice and a bill of lading (or waybill) during every alcohol delivery.
Why it matters: If stopped by law enforcement or audited by the PLCB, these documents protect you and your employer from legal violations.
These documents show:
- Who is sending the alcohol
- What is being transported
- Where it's going
- Proof that it’s a legal, tracked transaction
Store copies in your glovebox or carry a digital version on your phone.
Why it matters: If stopped by law enforcement or audited by the PLCB, these documents protect you and your employer from legal violations.
🗺️ 4. Respect Local Rules
Pennsylvania’s alcohol laws vary by county and even township. Some areas are still “dry,” meaning alcohol sales and deliveries are prohibited.
Check a PA dry county map, and keep your delivery app’s geofencing turned on to avoid:
- Delivering into restricted zones
- Operating outside legal hours (often 9 AM–11 PM for alcohol)
Why it matters: Violating local ordinances can result in immediate delivery bans or regulatory complaints.
🛑 5. Refuse When Necessary
You are legally allowed—and in some cases required—to refuse an alcohol delivery if:
Refusals should be documented through your app or delivery paperwork, and you should notify your dispatcher or platform support immediately.
Why it matters: Delivering to the wrong person can cost you your job, your license, and even trigger criminal charges.
- The recipient is under 21
- The ID looks fake or cannot be verified
- The person appears intoxicated
- The delivery address is a prohibited location (like schools, rehab centers, or government buildings)
Refusals should be documented through your app or delivery paperwork, and you should notify your dispatcher or platform support immediately.
Why it matters: Delivering to the wrong person can cost you your job, your license, and even trigger criminal charges.
✅ Deliver Smart, Deliver Legally
Alcohol delivery in Pennsylvania opens doors for businesses and individuals—but it’s not as simple as picking up a 6-pack and driving off. Between state-mandated licenses, gig app rules, and legal liabilities, every delivery requires knowledge, training, and documentation.
Whether you’re a gig driver, small business owner, or delivery manager, completing the National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification is the best way to stay safe and compliant. And if you also manage on-site service, the Pennsylvania Alcohol Awareness Training ensures your entire team is covered—inside and out.
The demand for alcohol delivery is growing. Don’t get left behind (or fined). Get trained, licensed, and ready to deliver the right way in Pennsylvania.