How Much Are License Plates In Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania fees are lower for license plate renewals than for new plates. Additional taxes and fees apply to both new and renewal registrations.

Pennsylvania charges an annual $39 vehicle registration fee, which includes the cost of license plate renewal (standard plates). New or replacement license plates cost more. The cost of Pennsylvania license plates can vary by type. For example, specialty plates cost $79, in addition to registration fees.

Let’s dive into the different types of Pennsylvania license plates available, and their respective costs.

In Pennsylvania, vehicles are required to have a rear license plate only—unlike other states that require both front and rear plates.

Here’s how to get a new license plate from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

If you’ve recently purchased a car in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to complete the following formalities with PennDOT. The first two items will need to be initiated before you can complete the third (getting a new license plate).

1. Register the vehicle under your name and get a registration card.
2. Complete a transfer of title. Along with a completed transfer of title application, you will need to provide proof that you own the car, such as a bill of sale or Certificate of Title.
3. Get a new license plate.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website provides useful information regarding licensing requirements, along with instructions for how to apply for vehicle plates.

In Pennsylvania, you must register your vehicle in person at a PennDOT office (online registration is not allowed).

For the registration process, you'll need to provide the following info.


Along with a completed transfer of title and registration, to complete the registration process you’ll need to provide proof that you own the car, such as a bill of sale or Certificate of Title.

You’ll need to complete a Pennsylvania transfer of title in order to get your new license plate. For the title transfer, you'll need to submit proof of valid liability insurance, proof of vehicle ownership, and ID.

You’ll also need to submit a completed Form MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration), which is not available online.

In addition to submitting the necessary paperwork, you’ll be required to pay any applicable sales taxes and fees. Pennsylvania state car sales tax is 6% of the purchase price of the vehicle. Individual counties and municipalities may charge their own sales tax on top of the 6%; the most you’ll pay is 2% local sales tax if you live in Philly (on top of the state’s 6%, that’s a total of 8%), while the average is 12%.

After submitting your documentation and payment, you will be issued your Pennsylvania registration plate.

There are three ways to order a license plate in Pennsylvania.

1. In person at a local PennDOT office (find locations here)
2. Online via the PennDOT website
3. Through the PennDOT mail

Whether you apply online, in person, or by mail, you need to fill out an application form that includes your personal information, address, desired license plate type, and vehicle registration info.

If you order your license plate in-person at a PennDOT location, you can use any of the following forms of payment:


If you mail in your license plate application, you’ll need to pay with check or money order. Checks should be made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mail the application and payment to the following address:

Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation

1101 South Front Street

Harrisburg PA 17104

Any questions? Call PennDOT customer service at 1-800-932-4600.

PennDOT is responsible for vehicle registration and driver licensing in the state.

Renewing your vehicle registration can be completed online, at any of PennDOT's Messenger services, or via the postal service.

In Pennsylvania, you can choose between a one-year or two-year vehicle registration renewal. The registration renewal form MV-140 includes both registration periods, as well as their respective fees.The regular one year motor vehicle registration fee is $39.

To register your car in Pennsylvania and get a Pennsylvania license plate you’ll need to pay:

To register an out-of-state vehicle in Pennsylvania, you need to fill out the Pennsylvania Application for Registration and Title, and provide PennDOT with documents such as:

There are many different license plate types: passenger license plates, commercial vehicle plates, special license plates, trailer plates, and motorcycle plates.

License plates measure 6 by 12 inches and are rectangular (motorcycle license plates are smaller, measuring 4 by 7 inches). They are made of aluminum, which is durable and resistant to rust.

You can choose from a variety of designs including:

When you register your car in Pennsylvania and pay an annual registration fee of $39, you will be issued a standard registration plate.

The following vehicle types have standard license plates:

1. Passenger vehicles
2. Commercial motor vehicles
3. Permanent trailers
4. Trailer coaches
5. Park trailers

A standard license plate is issued in any of the following scenarios:

Pennsylvania license plates may be customized. A customized plate costs $79 per year in addition to any other registration fees.

To purchase a personalized license plate, you need to fill out the Application for Personalized license plate and bring the completed application in person to a local PennDOT office.

The fee for transferring a license plate registration sticker (also known as a tag) in Pennsylvania is $51.

To transfer PA tags in person, you can go to your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles' office. Make sure you have all of the necessary papers, as well as your certificate of title application.

Disabled plates and veterans plates cost $11 and must be renewed when your car registration is renewed.

Placards for permanent and disabled veterans are free and valid for five years. Temporary placards are free and valid for six months.

To personalize your disability plate, you'll need to pay an additional $56.

For passenger vehicles, the vehicle renewal fee is $39 for standard plates.

Each state has different requirements for how often license plates need to be renewed. Pennsylvania drivers may renew their drivers' registration for one or two years.

Being late on registration renewal can lead to late additional fees, fines, and other problems when pulled over for a traffic stop. To avoid this, it is important to pay careful attention to the registration expiration date.

In some cases, PennDOT may require you to change your license plates. This is usually the case if the plate is lost, stolen, or damaged.

When you submit your application for license plate replacement, you must pay $11 for the license plate replacement. If your license plate is damaged, you must submit them to your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles officials.

In some cases you might be eligible for obtaining a free standard replacement plate. To apply for a free standard replacement plate you need to fill out the Application for Replacement Plate form and visit an official Pennsylvania inspection station for verification that your registration plate is illegible.

Along with the new license plates, a new registration sticker will be mailed.

If your license plates were stolen, the first step is to report the theft of the license plate to your local police department. Once the report has been filed, you will need to visit your local PennDOT office to obtain a replacement Pennsylvania car plate.

Pennsylvania temporary plates are valid for 90 days and must be obtained from an agent licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. In Pennsylvania most notaries, dealers, and messenger services are approved issuing agents and may complete a title application and provide you a temporary registration and temporary plates.

To receive a temporary plate, you must fulfill all of the following criteria:

Before purchasing a used car in Pennsylvania, identify whether it has back fees—or you could be liable for them.

The first step is to obtain the vehicle identification number from the seller. With the VIN, you can contact your local PennDOT office and request a title search. PennDOT will be able to tell you if there are any unpaid fees associated with the car, such as registration fees or parking tickets.

Pennsylvania charges an annual $21 motorcycle registration fee ($42 for two years), which includes the cost of standard motorcycle plates.

Pennsylvania motorcycle registration (standard) plates are issued when Form MV-1, “Application for Certificate of Title,” Form MV-4ST, “Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration,” or Form MV-140, “Request for Registration Renewals” are completed.

Additional fees for motorcycle registrations may include:


Registering a motorcycle in Pennsylvania involves acquiring motorcycle insurance, as it is mandated by law. The motorcycle must also be inspected at an approved inspection station. If the motorcycle is custom-built, additional documents signed by a manufacturer may also be required.

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