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    Pennsylvania license plate with a graphic of the Liberty Bell and the text, “Pennsylvania” and “Let Freedom Ring.” The plate has a white background with large blue letters and numbers.

    ​​Standard License Plates

     PennDOT issues standard issue license plates for vehicles. These plates serve as the basic form of vehicle registration and identification. As of June 2025, a new license plate style has been introduced. All license plates will now be issued in the new Liberty Bell style. To ensure you receive the new design, be sure to order your plate directly through PennDOT. Plates issued by third-party or non-Commonwealth vendors may still use the previous design.

    Request a new license plate

    Overview

    ​PennDOT issues standard issue license plates for vehicles. These plates serve as the basic form of vehicl​e registration and identification. ​

    Pennsylvania also offers Special Fund, Specialty,  Military and Special Organization* license plates, the majority of which can be personalized. All available license plates can be found here. For more information, please reference the Personalized License Plates Fact Sheet (PDF). Before applying, you can check availability of personalized license plates online.

    *Please contact your organization directly to obtain an application for a Special Organization License Plate.

    NOTE: Registration fees include the cost of a standard license plate for first time issuance. Additional fees apply for specialty license plates.  Refer to Form MV-70S (PDF), “Bureau of Motor Vehicle Schedule of Fees,” for additional fee information.

    Order a new license plate

    Pennsylvania’s new license plate design celebrates our role as the birthplace of American democracy — just in time for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026. We’re excited to see them on the road!

    The new style is available for standard vehicles and trucks, including personalized plates. If you switch from a specialty plate (like a military, organization, or special fund plate), it will be replaced with a standard plate in the new design.

    How to request a new license plate 

    1. 1

      Fill out the application for a new style registration plate

      Form MV-44LB

    2. 2

      Follow the instructions on the form

      • Check the box for the new liberty bell plate. 
      • Complete your information as listed on your current registration card.  

      If you are replacing a personalized plate:   

      • Enter your configuration exactly (including dashes or spaces). 
      • Attach a photo of your current plate.  
    3. 3

      Mail the form

      Address: 
      Bureau of Motor Vehicles   
      PO Box 68593   
      Harrisburg, PA 17106-8593

    Fees

    • Replacing a standard plate: $13  
    • Replacing a personalized plate: free  

    Payment must be submitted by check or money order. Starting July 1, 2025, updated plate fees will apply. If you're applying after that date, check the updated fee. 

    Replace an ​illegible license plate

    A license plate is deemed illegible when one or more numbers or letters cannot be recognized from 50 feet or if the registration plate shows any blistering, peeling, discoloration or loss of reflectivity. When a license plate becomes illegible, PennDOT has two main ways of replacing them.


    First, the law allows PennDOT to replace a license plate upon request of a vehicle owner when an authorized representative of PennDOT or law enforcement determines that a license plate is illegible.  Vehicle safety inspection mechanics are authorized representatives of PennDOT for purposes of determining if a license plate is legible. 

    To apply for a free replacement of your current license plate, the vehicle owner should print Form MV-46 and take it to either a law enforcement official or a certified inspection station to verify the need for a replacement due to illegibility. The vehicle owner is then responsible for signing and returning the completed Form MV-46 to PennDOT in order to receive a replacement license plate free of charge.

    For more information about this program, please reference the Registration Plate Re-Issuance Fact Sheet (Illegible Registration Plate Replacement) FAQ.

    Second, the law also allows PennDOT to order a general reissuance. Standard issue passenger license plates that start with the tag configuration  ‘G’, ‘H’, 'J', ‘K’ and truck license plates that start with tag configuration ‘Y’, are among the oldest on the road and need to be replaced. So, if you have a standard issue license plate beginning with a ‘G’, ‘H’, 'J', ‘K’ or ‘Y’, you will get a new license plate the next time your license plate is transferred to a different vehicle. Passenger license plates that start with a tag configuration ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ are the oldest plates on the road. PennDOT has begun replacing the ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ configuration through the mail. Customers will receive a letter informing them when they should expect to receive their new plate.

    Returning a license plate

    Bureau of Motor Vehicles 
    Return Tag Unit 
    P.O. Box 68597 
    Harrisburg, PA 17106-8597

    Once your plate has been received by PennDOT, it will be marked as a "dead tag" on the vehicle record. Returning your Pennsylvania license plate to PennDOT will help protect you from vehicle fraud.