Here's the reply:

Cornelius J. Mclver
[my address]

Dear Mr. McIver:

I am responding to your letter regarding the social security number required for Pennsylvania driver's license applications.

Social security number information is required on all driver's license applications and has been so required since Act 171 or 1982, which amended Section 1510 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. If this information is not provided, the Bureau of Driver Licensing will be unable to process your application.

I trust this information will be helpful to you. However, if you need additional information, please feel welcome to call my office at [phone number] or Linda [lastname] at [phone number].

Sincerely,

[signed]

Rebecca L. Bickley, Director
Bureau of Driver Licensing

Did they answer my question?

This letter appears to say they require SSNs, but it does not. It says "social security number information". I already gave them social security number "information" when I told them I had no number.

It also appears to be a statement denying me a driver's license, but did they do that? No. They simply stated an if/then condition:

If this information is not provided, the Bureau of Driver Licensing will be unable to process your application.

I probably can't blame them for not giving me an actual yes or no answer, since I would never make a positive or negative legal "promise" to anyone either. The smartest thing to do is to say something conditional, like they did. This is a very "safe" response on their part.

Instead of asking them if they will accept my application, I may need to actually apply for a license (again), this time stating that I have no number. With the application in hand, they will be forced to either accept it or not. It should be done by letter, so there is a paper trail. That way I won't have to get them to say what they will do, they will be forced to actually do it. Then I'll have evidence of their refusal of my application on these grounds. That would be very important to have if I'm ever hauled in to court.

Here is my response.

All information presented here is done so under the protection of the First, Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, and article I section 2 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Furthermore, as established in the famous trial of William Penn in August 1670, and contrary to the unlawful instructions given by most American judges, in addition to judging the facts of a case, juries also have the right and duty to pass judgement on the law (meaning they may acquit a violator of the law if they believe the law in question is unconstitutional, immoral, just plain stupid, or if the penalty is deemed too harsh). Juries are also lawfully free to vote according to their conscience, above all other considerations.