Applying for Special Plates in Pennsylvania

SUMMARY: Apply for a Specialty Pennsylvania License Plate

You can easily apply for special and personalized plates with PennDOT by sending your application and fees by mail. To renew your plates, simply renew your registration. In order to replace a lost or stolen plate, you must reapply for that plate. Fees for these plates vary.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) offers several types of special plates as well as personalized plates. Continue reading to learn how to apply for these special registration plates.

How to Apply for Special Plates in Pennsylvania

PennDOT offers several categories of special plates to choose from. To order one of these plates:

NOTE: If you have plates that you no longer need or which are now invalid, surrender them to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Return Tag Unit
P.O. Box 68597
Harrisburg, PA 17106

Personalized Plates

Most special plates may be personalized for an extra fee.

To apply for a PA personalized plate, take the same steps as those for special plates using the form associated with the specific special plate you wish to personalize.

NOTE: If you are applying to personalize a standard plate, you'll complete the Application for Special Registration Plate (Form MV-904).

Checking Plate Availability

You can check whether your desired personal message/number is available online BEFORE you order your personalized plate.

Note that your plates will not be reserved until your application and payment have been received and processed by PennDOT.

Once your application is processed and your message has been approved, allow up to 10 weeks for delivery of your plate.

Renewing and Replacing PA Special Plates

Renewing Special Plates

You'll renew your Pennsylvania special plates when you renew your vehicle registration. Note that special plate fees may apply in addition to your standard renewal fees.

To learn more, visit our PA Registration Renewal page.

Replacing Special Plates

If your PA custom plate gets lost, stolen, or damaged, you may get a replacement license plate by:

  • Completing an application for replacement.
    • You'll use the same form you initially used to apply for your plate.*
  • Paying the special plate fee.
  • Submitting the application, required supporting documents (proof of eligibility) and payment to the PA Department of Transportation at the address on the form.

* If you need an immediate replacement, you may use the Application for Duplicate Registration Card, Replacement of Registration Plate, Renewal Sticker or Weight Class Sticker (Form MV-44) to get a standard plate while you wait for your special plate. The fee for the standard plate will be $13.

PA Special Plates Fees

Fees for special plates in Pennsylvania will vary by plate.

  • Special plates: Fees vary.
  • Personalized standard plate: $97.
  • Personalized special plate: $97 personalization fee + special plate fee.
  • Amateur radio operator plate: $11.
  • Press photographer plate: $13.
    • Personalization: Additional $97 fee.

NOTE: Special plate fees DO NOT include any regular registration or renewal fees.

Forms

MV-904
Application for Special Registration Plate
Form used to request specialized PA license plates for amateur radio operators OR press photographers
MV-44
Application for Duplicate Registration Card, Replacement of Registration Plate or Weight Class Sticker
Application for duplicate Pennsylvania registration card, license plates, OR weight class sticker.
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