Vanity license plates are a fun, unique way to add personality to your vehicle and to convey a message that reflects the owner’s tastes. While license plates are generally for the state to identify specific vehicles, adding your own twist for any reason can be an excellent way to make your vehicle more identifiable to YOU. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your own vanity plate in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as some frequently asked questions on the topic of vanity plates.
1. Choosing a configuration
The first step in this process is the most fun, but can become surprisingly time-consuming. Choose a configuration for your vanity plate that has not already been taken by another vehicle owner (you can check options using the Vanity Plate Availability tool).
Cars, trucks, and trailers can use up to seven letters and numbers, with one hyphen OR one space. For motorcycle plates, this number is different, with up to five numbers and letters with a hyphen or space allowed.
Keep in mind that the PA Department of Transportation reserves the right to deny plates on the basis of:
- Profanity
- Discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality
- References to alcohol or substance abuse
- Suggestion of criminal/gang activity.
- PennDOT also retains a “Do not issue” list for specific combinations that are not allowed.
2. The initial paperwork
So you’ve decided on a vanity plate that speaks to you. Congrats! The next step in this process is to fill out the necessary paperwork. A standard personalized registration plate form is required, and you must attain a temporary registration plate to use while your vanity plate is pending approval.
3. Payment and wait period
After filling out the form, you must also pay a $79 fee for your plate.
Once your application has been processed and approved, vehicle owners generally wait 8-10 weeks for their new plates to arrive.
Is there a difference between “personalized license plates” and “vanity” plates?
You may have heard these two terms generally used interchangeably in conversation. There are a few states, such as Illinois, that have specific differentiators between the terms — there, vanity plates are either entirely composed of numbers or letters, while personalized plates have both. But in most cases, vanity plates refer to personalized plates and vice-versa.
Which types of vehicles can have vanity plates?
If you’re the owner of a standard passenger vehicle, motorcycle, standard-size truck (less than 14,000 lbs.), RV, or trailer, your vehicle is fair game to use vanity plates. Any other vehicles are required to have plates issued by the state.
Can I reserve a plate configuration?
Even if you come up with a combination you really like, you have to be sure to submit as fast as possible — vanity plates are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis, and those who submit duplicates are required to submit a different combination for approval.
Need more information?
Auto tags providers are the premier experts on the subject of vanity plates. Superior Insurance and Auto Tags is the place to go for information in-line with Pennsylvania’s vehicle laws and regulations. Call us today and let us assist you!