Vehicle registration plates of Pennsylvania

The U.S. state of Pennsylvania first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1906, when the state began to issue plates.[1]

Pennsylvania
Current series
SloganvisitPA.com
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC-1234
IntroducedJune 2017 (2017-06)
Availability
Issued byPennsylvania Department of Transportation, Driver & Vehicle Services
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1906 (1906-01-01)
(pre-state plates from 1903 to December 31, 1905)

Plates are currently issued by the Driver & Vehicle Services division of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Only rear plates have been required on standard passenger vehicles since 1952. Most other classes of vehicle also only require rear plates, while front plates are additionally required on passenger vehicles owned by the state, and on vehicles owned by press photographers.[2]

Passenger baseplates

1906 to 1958

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[3] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Pennsylvania license plate that complied with these standards.

No slogans were used on passenger plates during the period covered by this subsection.

Image Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
1906 White on blue porcelain; "PENNA 1906" at top or at right (see Notes) 12345 1 to approximately 14000 Plates with serials 1 through 99 had the state abbreviation and year at the right. This practice continued through 1909.[1]
1907 White on red porcelain; "PENNA 1907" at top or at right 12345 1 to approximately 20000
1908 Black on yellow porcelain; "PENNA 1908" at top or at right 12345 1 to approximately 25500
1909 Black on white porcelain; "PENNA 1909" at top or at right 12345 1 to approximately 34500
1910 White on black porcelain; "PENNA", aluminum keystone and "1910" at left 12345 1 to approximately 33500
1911 Black on yellow porcelain; "PENNA", aluminum keystone and "1911" at left 12345 1 to approximately 44000
1912 White on woodgrain-colored porcelain; "PENNA", aluminum keystone and "1912" at left 12345 1 to approximately 60000
1913 White on green porcelain; "PENNA", aluminum keystone and "1913" at left 12345 1 to approximately 80000
1914 White on black porcelain; "PENNA", aluminum keystone and "1914" at left 123456 1 to 19999;
40000 to approximately 115000
1915 White on medium blue porcelain; "PENNA", aluminum keystone and "1915" at left 123456 1 to 19999;
30000 to approximately 164000
1916 Embossed black on orange; "PENNA", keystone and "1916" at left 123456 1 to 19999;
30000 to approximately 231000
First embossed plate.
1917 Embossed white on brown; "PENNA", keystone and "1917" at left 123456 1 to approximately 312000
1918 Embossed white on black; "PENNA", keystone and "1918" at left 123456 1 to approximately 368000
1919 Embossed red on black; "PENNA", keystone and "1919" at right 123456 1 to approximately 450000
1920 Embossed white on navy blue; "PENNA 1920" at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 529-000
1921 Embossed black on golden yellow; "PENNA 1921" at bottom, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to approximately 634-000
1922 Embossed brown on cream; "PENNA 1922" at bottom, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to approximately 765-000
1923 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue; "PENNA 1923" at bottom, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to approximately 986-000 Six-digit plates were originally 16 inches in length, but reduced to 15 inches later.
1924 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow; "PENNA 1924" at bottom, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to 999-999
A-12345 A-1 to approximately A-49000
1925 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue; "1925 PENNA" at bottom, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A-1 to approximately B58-000
1926 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with border line; "1926 PENNA" at bottom, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A-1 to approximately C59-000
1927 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with border line; "1927 PENNA" at top, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A-1 to approximately D63-000
1928 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with border line; "PENNA 1928" at top, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A-1 to approximately E25-000
1929 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with border line; "1929 PENNA" at top, with keystones on either side 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A-1 to approximately F24-000
1930 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with border line; "1930 PENNA" at bottom, with keystones on either side 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
Letters I, O, Q, T, W and X not used in serials; this practice continued until 1974.[4]
1931 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with border line; "PENNA 1931" at bottom, with keystones on either side 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
1932 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with border line; "PENNA 1932" at top, with keystones on either side 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23

1933 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with border line; "PENNA 1933" or "1933 PENNA" at top, with keystones on either side 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1934 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with border line; "1934 PENNA" at bottom, with keystones on either side 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1935 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with border line; "1935 PENNA" at bottom, with keystones on either side 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
1936 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow; "1936 PENNA" at top, with keystones on either side 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
1937 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1937 PENNA" at top 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
Later plates had keystones on either side of the year and state abbreviation.
1938 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1938 PENNA" at top 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
1939–40 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1939 PENNA" at top 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
Valid until March 31, 1940.
1940–41 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1940 PENNA" at top 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
1941–42 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1941 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-42" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3

1942–44 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1942 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-43" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
Revalidated until March 31, 1944 with red tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944–45 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1944 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-45" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
1945–46 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1945 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-46" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
1946–47 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1946 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-47" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
1947–48 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1947 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-48" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
1948–49 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1948 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-49" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
1949–50 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1949 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-50" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
1950–51 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1950 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-51" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
1951–52 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1951 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-52" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
A123B
1952–53 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1952 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-53" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
A123B
Only rear plates issued; this practice continues today.
1953–54 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1953 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-54" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
A123B
1954–55 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1954 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-55" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
A123B
A12B3
1955–56 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1955 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-56" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
A123B
A12B3
A1B23

1956–57 Embossed golden yellow on navy blue with state-shaped border; "1956 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-57" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
A123B
A12B3
A1B23
Later plates used the thinner serial dies that would be used on most plates of the 1957–58 base. T and W briefly used as overflow letters in serials.[4]
1957–58 Embossed navy blue on golden yellow with state-shaped border; "1957 PENNA" at top; "EXP. 3-31-58" inside top border 12345
A1234
1A234
12A34
123A4
1234A
AB123
1AB23
12AB3
123AB
123456 100000 to approximately 880000 Narrower serial dies.

1958 to present

Only plates issued since 1999 are currently valid for display.[5]

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1958–60 Yellow on blue with small keystone separator and state-shaped border none 123-456 100-000 to 999-999 Sticker validation through 1964.
A12-345 A00-000 to Z99-999
1960–63 123-45A 000-00A to 999-99Z
1963–65 1A2-345 0A0-000 to approximately 0H8-000
1965–66 Blue on yellow with small keystone separator and state-shaped border none 123-456 100-000 to 999-999 First use of the full state name. Sticker validation through 1970.
A12-345 A00-000 to Z99-999
123-45A 000-00A to 999-99Z
1966–69 1A2-345 0A0-000 to 9Z9-999
1969–71 12A-345 00A-000 to approximately 62U-000

1971–73 Yellow on blue with Liberty Bell separator Bicentennial State '76 123-456 100-000 to 999-999 Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1971 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Pennsylvania was so honored. Letters T, W and X added to serials in 1974.[4] Sticker validation through 1976.
A12-345 A00-000 to Z99-999
123-45A 000-00A to 999-99Z
1A2-345 0A0-000 to 9Z9-999
1973–76 12A-345 00A-000 to 99Z-999
1976–77 123-A45 000-A00 to approximately 650-H00
1977–79 Blue on reflective yellow with large keystone separator Keystone State 123-456 100-000 to 999-999 Monthly staggered registration introduced 1979–80. Sticker validation through 2000.
A12-345 A00-000 to Z99-999
123-45A 000-00A to 999-99Z
1A2-345 0A0-000 to 9Z9-999
1979–83 ABC-123 AAA-000 to GZZ-999
1983–87 Reflective yellow on blue with large keystone separator You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania ABC-123 HAA-000 to RZZ-999 1 Sticker validation through 2002. Letter U not used in the ABC-1234 serial format (in addition to I, O and Q).[4]
1987 – August 1991 Keystone State SAA-000 to ZZZ-999 1
August 1991 – September 1999 As above, but with smaller keystone separator ABC-1234 AAA-0000 to approximately CEJ-9999 1
September 1999 – December 2004 Dark blue on reflective white with light blue on top and light yellow on bottom WWW.STATE.PA.US ABC-1234 DAA-0000 to approximately FYC-9999 1 Sticker validation through 2017; plates validated electronically thereafter.[6] Due to be replaced over the next few years.[7]
December 2004 – June
2017
Dark blue on reflective white with navy blue on top and yellow on bottom visitPA.com ABC-1234 GBA-0000 to KLE-9999 1 A and E not used as second letter in serials. Sticker validation through 2017; plates validated electronically thereafter.
June 2017 – present As above, but with state outline at top left KLF-0000 to LNW-9643 (as of December 13, 2020) Validated electronically.

Notes

  • 1 Plus remakes of serials issued on previous bases.

Temporary plates

Unlike many states that issue paper or cardboard temporary license plates with a new registration until the permanent registration and plates comes in, Pennsylvania almost always issues the permanent plate right away, with a temporary tag in the rear window indicating the exact date the temporary tag expires, upon which it is removed or when the full-year registration sticker for the plate comes in, whichever comes first. (Some cars do get issued a paper temporary Pennsylvania plate, usually by those who live out-of-state buying a car in Pennsylvania who need the temporary tag until the vehicle title is transferred to the state they live in.) Until April 2000, new plates had a "T" sticker to denote a temporary tag on the plate until the full-year registration came in the mail with the regular registration sticker. Pennsylvania adopted the current system to combat criminals making counterfeit "T" stickers. For plates that already had the "T" stickers but were not issued yet to vehicles at the time of the change, Pennsylvania gave car dealerships and notaries plain white stickers to cover up the "T" tags so that the plates could still be used.

Non-passenger plates

Image Type Serial format Notes
Antique Historic Car 1
12
123
1234
A123
AB12
12AB
Antique Motorcycle 1
12
123
A12
1A1
12A
AB1
A1B
Antique Vehicle A12B
Apportioned Bus BN-12345
Apportioned Truck AE-12345
AF-12345
AG-12345
Bus BA-12345
Circus-Carnival Truck B/Z 12345
Classic Car 12345
C12345
Classic Motorcycle C/L 123
Collectible Motorcycle CM123
Collectible Vehicle CV 1234
Dealer H12-345H
J12-345J
K12-345K
Both letters are the same.
Dealer - Farm Equipment FE1234A
Dealer - Multi Purpose MP1234A
Emergency Vehicle EV-12345 Some plates have "Emergency Vehicles" legend.
Farm Truck FM-1234A
Fire Department FD-12345 All Fire Department plates have been recalled by PennDOT and replaced with Emergency Vehicle plates. No longer valid.
Fleet Transporter FL1234A
Handicapped P/D 1234A
Handicapped Motorcycle P/D A12B
Hearing Impaired HE-12345
Implement of Husbandry IMP-1234
Limousine LM-12345
Mass Transit MT-12345
Moped AB123
Moped Dealer 1234
Motor Home HH-12345
Motorcycle ABC12
1234A
A1234
1AB23
Current serial format introduced mid-2015.
Motorcycle Dealer 123A
Municipal Government MG-12345
12345-MG
MG-1234A
Municipal Motorcycle MG123
MG12A
Official Use - Passenger PA-12345
12345-PA
Front and rear plates required. Serials PA-10000 through PA-29999 issued, followed by 10000-PA onwards.[8]
Official Use - Commercial PA-12345
PA-1234A
Only rear plates required. Serials PA-30000 through PA-99999 issued, followed by PA-0000A onwards.[8]
Omnibus OB-12345
Permanent Trailer PT-1234A
PT-123A4
Series reached PT-9999Z in early 2015.
Repair Towing RT-12345
Repossessor RE-12345
Salvage Yard WL-12345
School Bus SC-12345
School Vehicle SV-12345
Special Mobile Equipment SME-123A
A123-SME
Used by heavy construction equipment or other utility vehicles that are street-legal but not eligible for Truck or Apportioned plates.
Street Rod 1234 S/R
Taxi TX-12345 First issued in 2012.
Temporary In-Transit 1234-567 Paper plate, first issued in 2014.
Trailer XBC-1234 Sticker validation through 2022, due to the 5 year registration.
Trailer Dealer TD-1234A
Transporter DT-12345
Truck YBC-1234
ZBC-1234
Truck plates began at YAA-0000 in 2000; reached YZZ-9999 in early 2011; new format started with ZBA-0000. 'Y' series plates due to be replaced over the next few years.[7]
Watercraft Trailer / Dealer WD12345

Optional plates

Pennsylvania offers many optional "special organizational" and "special fund" license plates.[5] [9] Special fund license plate proceeds are directed to organizations involved with their respective causes.[10]

Image Type Serial format Notes
4-H Youth Program 4/H 1234
Air Force Cross 1234 A/C
Amateur Radio FCC call sign
American Legion A/L 12345 Available for issue to members of the American Legion
Animal Friends 1234 A/F
Bronze Star 1234 B/Z
Bronze Star for Valor 1234 B/V
Bucknell University B/U 12345
Combat Action Badge 0123 C/O
Combat Action Medal 6123 C/O
Combat Action Ribbon 4123 C/O
Combat Infantryman Badge 2123 C/O
Combat Medical Badge 8123 C/O
Commonwealth Court C/C 1
Congressional Medal of Honor ABC-CMH Letters are initials of honoree
Disabled Veteran DV-12345
Distinguished Flying Cross 1234 F/C
Distinguished Service Cross 2123 S/C
Emergency Medical Services EM 1234 Issued to licensed Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics in Pennsylvania.
Expeditionary Forces E/F 1234
Flagship Niagara F/N 1234
F/N 123A
Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new optional license plate of 1995 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Pennsylvania was so honored. Co-recipient with Texas. No longer issued due to poor visibility, but still valid.
Fire Fighter FF 1234 Issued to professional Fire Fighters in Pennsylvania. See VF plate for volunteers.
Fort Mifflin 12345 F/M
Geneva College G/C 12345
Gold Star Family G/S/F 1234
Harleysville Community Fire Co. 12345 H/F
Harmonville Fire Company No. 1 12345 P/T
Hartsville Fire Company 12345 H/F
Heritage Jeep Alliance 12345 H/R
Korean Defense Service Medal 12345 K/D
Korean War Veteran K/V 12345
Little League Baseball 12345 L/L
Lincoln University L1234U
Motorcycle Vanity varies
Mercedes-Benz Club of America 12345 M/B
National MS Society 12345 M/S
Merchant Marine 1123 M/M
National Police Defense Foundation 12345 P/F
Navy Cross 1123 N/C
Planned Parenthood of Pennsylvania 12345 P/P
Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran 12345 E/F
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran 12345 I/F
Passenger Vanity varies
Pearl Harbor Survivor P/H S1234
Pennsylvania Equine Council 12345 P/E Available for issue to members of the Pennsylvania Equine Council who have paid their yearly dues for a minimum or 1 year. Application to the PEC available on their website.
Pennsylvania State University A12-34P
Persian Gulf War Veteran P/G12345
Philadelphia Flyers Wives Charities FL12345
Press Photographer PP 123 Letters within keystone. Issued to full-time newspaper, newsreel and television photographers. Front and rear plates required.[2]
Prisoner of War POW-123
Purple Heart P/H 12345
Retired Legislator P/A 12345
Silver Star 1234 S/I
Slippery Rock University S/R 1234
State Representative HR 123 Letters within keystone.
State Senator PA 12 Letters within keystone.
Steel Worker S/W 12345
Superior Court S/C 12
Supreme Court S/U 12
Temple University T1234U
U.S. Air Force Veteran 1234 A/F
U.S. Army Veteran 1234 A/R
U.S. Coast Guard Veteran 1234 C/G
U.S. Congress U/S C 1
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran 1234 M/C
U.S. Military Airborne Units 1234 M/A
U.S. Navy Veteran 1234 N/A
U.S. Senate U/S S 1
University of Pittsburgh U1234P
Veteran 12345 U/S
Veteran Motorcycle V1234
Vietnam War Veteran V/W 12345
Villanova University V/U 12345
12345 V/U
We The People U/S 12345 Limited edition plate issued in 1987 only, but still valid with renewal.
Women in Transition Inc. 12345 W/T
World War II Veteran W/W 12345
Volunteer Firefighter VF 12345 Issued to volunteer Fire Fighters in Pennsylvania.

References

  1. Taylor, Eric Robert. "Pennsylvania Archive - Part 2". PorcelainPlates.net. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  2. "Personal Registration Plates Fact Sheet" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. July 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  3. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  4. Tanner, Eric N. "Pennsylvania Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  5. Penndot brochure "License Plates of Pennsylvania" March 2007
  6. Murphy, Jan (December 14, 2016). "Pa. drivers say goodbye to vehicle registration stickers; hello to higher fees and new license plate". PennLive. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  7. "Registration Plate Reissuance Frequently Asked Questions". Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  8. McDevitt, John. "Official Plates". PA PL8S. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  9. .
  10. "Special Fund Plates". PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
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