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Pennsylvania License Plate Images

John McDevitt, Walnutport, PA

Apportioned (Truck)

Apportioned (Bus)

ATV Dealer

Auto Manufacturer

Farm Truck

Fire Department

Foreign Consul

Hearing Impaired

House Car / Motor Home

Limousine

Mass Transit

Plate Type (year first issued)

Description / History

Image

Apportioned (Truck) (1982)

VERSION 1, AA-00000 to AA-99999, blue on yellow base, sticker wells upper left & right, dash separator, steel plate, PENNSYLVANIA on top, APPORTIONED at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 2, AB-00000 to AB-99999,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, PENNSYLVANIA on top, APPORTIONED at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

NOTE: Apportioned was never issued with an AC prefix.

VERSION 3, AD-00000 to AD-99999,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator, APPORTIONED on top,  PENNSYLVANIA at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.  High point not known.

VERSION 4, AE-00000 to AF-49999,  www tri-color base, sticker well upper right, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top, APPORTIONED at bottom.  All previous plates reissued in 2000.

VERSION 5, AF-50000 to current high,  visitPA tri-color base, sticker well upper right, keystone separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top, APPORTIONED at bottom.  Format 4 and 5 currently valid.

Validation Sticker: All plates of this type use an annual 5-YY (YY= 2-digit year) PA APPORTIONED sticker.

See Jim Moini's website for more PA Apportioned.

Need approximate high on VERSION 3 plates before the reissue.

Apportioned Bus (1982)

VERSION 1, BL-00000 (only several hundred issued), blue on yellow base, sticker wells upper left & right, dash separator, steel plate, PENNSYLVANIA on top, APPORTIONED at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 2, BL-00000 (from where the previous series left off, only several hundred issued), yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top(?), APPORTIONED at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

NOTE: Apportioned Bus never issued with BM prefix.

VERSION 3, BN-00000 to current high,  www tri-color base, sticker wells upper left, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top, APPORTIONED at bottom.  All previous plates reissued in 2000.

Validation Sticker: All plates of this type use an annual 5-YY (YY= 2-digit year) PA APPORTIONED sticker.

Graphic depiction

Image needed

Need better image of VERSION 1.

ATV Dealer (1986) DCNR issued plate

VERSION 1, 0000 to ~1500, olive green on white, PENNSYLVANIA on top, DLR stacked left, ATV stacked right, DEPT. of ENV. RES. on bottom, 6" by 12" plate.

VERSION 2, ~1500 to at least 4000, olive green on white, PENNSYLVANIA on top, DLR stacked left, ATV stacked right, DCNR on bottom, 6" by 12" plate.

VERSION 3, 000 to current high, olive green on white,   PA-DCNR on top, ATV DEALER on bottom, DCNR on bottom, 4" by 7" plate. All previous plates reissued in 2006.

Auto Manufacturer (~1978)

From approx A38-800A to approx. A38-999A, blue on yellow base, sticker wells upper left & right, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top, AUTO MANUFACTURER at bottom.  Plates were probably issued as early as 1978 and were revalidated until the late 80 or so.  See comments on right.

Sample:  This is a sample or prototype on the 1984 base.  No plates on this base were issued.

See image of article from July 1979 issue of Volkswagen Mirror from Andy Keim.

from Chuck Harrington

from Pauli Bagnarol

One of the rarest modern plates is the Auto Manufacturer.  It is also little known to collectors and state DMV officials alike.  When Volkswagen opened their plant in New Stanton, PA, they needed plates. Instead of the state making a truly new type, they pulled a sequential block of numbers from the “New Car Dealer” type.  Why many of the DMV officials don’t know they exist is because when they ran the numbers, it came up under the New Car Dealer series.  Although there are Auto Manufacturer samples on the 1984 reflective glass bead yellow on blue plate, no plates were ever issued and/or made outside the original 1977 base issue. Quantity made and issued is unknown, probably around 200 plates. VW wound down their operation around 1988 or 1989, and was officially closed around 1990.

from Chuck Harrington

Civil Defense (~1950s-60s)

VERSION 1: 01-1 to 67-9999 = county code + serial number, PENNA top flanked by 2 keystones, CIVIL DEFENSE on bottom.   Blue on yellow plates are steel.  The pictured plate is from Northampton County.

VERSION 2: 01-1 to 67-9999, = county code + serial number, PENNA top flanked by 2 keystones, CIVIL DEFENSE on bottom  Yellow on blue  plates are aluminum and have a slightly larger bolt holes than version 1.  The pictured plate is from Warren County.

These plates were issued during the cold war years of the 1950s and 60s; however, the exact years of issue are unknown.  Plates were issued by the State Office of Civil Defense, today known as the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency or PEMA, and were distributed by PA's 67 counties.  Plates were front mounted on vehicles, and were given to people who had a role in civil defense.  All plates measure 4" by 9½".  The first part of the plate number represents the county code, the second part is the plate serial number, all are undated.

(1986)

VERSION 1: "P/H"00000, PURPLE HEART on top, yellow on blue base, embossed graphic of medal on left, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom.

VERSION 2: "P/H"00000, COMBAT WOUNDED VETERAN on top, bluish purple on white base with red legend, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, embossed image of Purple Heart in center, sticker well lower left.

VERSION  3: "P/H"00000 to current high

On visitPA base with screened image, P/H and Tag Line, sticker well upper left.  First spotted 11/17/04, after which all previous plates were replaced..

SAMPLE of Version 1

SAMPLE of Version 2

SAMPLE of Version 3

Dealer-Multi Purpose (1984)

VERSION 1, MP0000D to MP2999D yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, no dash separator,  Dealer-Multi Purpose on top, PENNSYLVANIA at bottom. Valid thru the 1999 plate reissue.

VERSION 2, MP3000D to current high, www base, sticker well upper left, no dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top, Dealer-Multi Purpose at bottom.

VERSION 1 Sample

Image Needed

from Jeff Minard

Farm Truck (1977)

VERSION 1, FM-10000 to FM-43999 or above, blue on yellow base, sticker wells upper left & right, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top, FARM TRUCK (wide font) at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 2, FM-48000 or below to 51999 or higher,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator,  FARM TRUCK (wide font) on top, PENNSYLVANIA at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 3, FM-52000 or above to FM-56999 or above,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator,  FARM TRUCK (narrow font) on top, PENNSYLVANIA at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 4, below FM-65000 to FM-99999,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator,  FARM TRUCK (wide font) on top, PENNSYLVANIA at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.  High point not known.

VERSION 5 FM-0000A to current high,  www tri-color base, sticker well upper left, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top, FARM TRUCK at bottom.  All previous plates reissued in 2000.

SAMPLE of VERSION 2 and/or VERSION 4

from Clayton Moore

from Pauli Bagnarol

Need highs or changeover points of several of these plate versions.

Fire Department

VERSION 1: FD-10000 to FD-27999, state outline base, keystone separator, sticker well lower left.

ERROR PLATE In this sequential pair the first plate is missing the dash separator.

VERSION 2: FD-28000 to approximately FD-29999 or wherever production ended, uses a dash separator.

SAMPLE

NOTE: This type is no longer issued. Replaced by Emergency Vehicle in 2007. 

Validation Sticker: All are permanent.

This type appears to be on a '68 base; however, in an Allentown Fire Department history book, a Fire Department plate is pictured at a fire scene that was captioned as 1961.  Can this be?

Foreign Consul (1958)

VERSION 1: FC1-000, 58 base, first issued from 1958 to 1964, yellow on blue, map outline, PA top center, 58 top right, after 1958 re-validated with stickers upper left, small keystone separator.

VERSION 2: FC-1000, 65 base, issued from 1965 to 1970, blue on yellow, map outline, PENNSYLVANIA top, undated, validation stickers upper left, small keystone separator.

VERSION 3: FC-10000, 71 base, issued from 1971 to 1976, yellow on blue, yellow border, PENNSYLVANIA top, sticker wells upper left & right, 71 lightly stamped in upper left sticker well, after 71 revalidated with stickers upper right & left, small keystone separator, BICENTENNIAL STATE '76 on bottom.

VERSION 4: FC-10000, 77 base, issued from 1977 to 1984 or 85, blue on yellow, blue border, PENNSYLVANIA top, sticker wells upper left & right, dash separator, FOREIGN CONSUL on bottom.

SAMPLE: This is a sample or prototype on the 1984 base.  No plates on this base were issued.

from Chuck Harrington

from Chuck Harrington

from Pauli Bagnarol

CONSULAR plates were first issued in1929 and continued until 1935. 

No plates are believed to have been issued again until 1958 when FOREIGN CONSUL plates were first issued.

This type was last issued on the1977 base and were discontinued when the US Dept. of State started issuing their plates.  Once the US Dept of State started issuing plates to diplomats, states were no longer allowed to issue plates to foreign diplomats. 

"FC" plates do not exist on the 1984 and later bases.

Hearing Impaired (1987)

VERSION 1, First issued 1987, HE-00001 yellow on blue, HEARING IMPAIRED top, dash separator, sticker well lower left, PENNSYLVANIA bottom, valid thru the 2000 plate changeover.

VERSION 2, Reissued 3/2000, HE-03000, www tri-color base, sticker well upper left, PENNSYLVANIA top, HEARING IMPAIRED bottom.

SAMPLE of Version 1

SAMPLE of Version 2

from George Kunsman

While I have no actual numbers, I'm guessing that there are somewhere around 100 of these plates in use.

House Car / Motor Home (1977)

VERSION 1, First issued 1977, HC-10000 to HC-99999, blue on yellow,  PENNSYLVANIA top, dash separator, HOUSE CAR bottom, valid thru the 2000-2001 plate changeover.

VERSION 2, First issued 1984, HD-00000 to between  HD-41999 and HD-43999, yellow on blue,  HOUSE CAR top, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA bottom, valid thru the 2000-2001 plate changeover.

VERSION 3, About 1990, from between HD-42000 and HD-44000 to at least HF-60999, yellow on blue, MOTOR HOME top, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA bottom, valid thru the 2000-2001 plate changeover.

(Note: HE plates were not issued in this series since the HE prefix is reserved for Hearing Impaired plate series.)

VERSION 4: First issued 5/7/2000 on www base, HG-00000 to HG-05999 on www base, PENNSYLVANIA on top, dash separator, MOTOR HOME on bottom, uses different font than later plates, note the 'M'.

VERSION 5: From HG-06000 to HG-99999 on www base, uses different font than earlier plates, note the 'M'. Otherwise same format as VERSION 4.

VERSION 6: From April/May 2006, HH-00000 to current high, On visitPA base with keystone separator.

Limousine (1990)

VERSION 1: LM-10000 (only several thousand issued) yellow on blue base, LIMOUSINE on top, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, valid thru changeover in 3/2000.

VERSION 2: First issued 3/26/2000, LM-20000 to LM-22999, on www base, narrow font on the tag line.

VERSION 3: LM-23000 to current high, wider font on tag line.

SAMPLE of Version 1

SAMPLE of Version 2

Mass Transit - (1977)

VERSION 1, M/T-10000 to M/T-17999 or M/T-18999, blue on yellow base, sticker wells upper left & right, steel plate,  PENNSYLVANIA on top, MASS TRANSIT at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 2, M/T-18000 or M/T-19000 to M/T-29999,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, PENNSYLVANIA on top, MASS TRANSIT at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 3, M/T30000 to M/T32999, stacked prefix on www base, wide font on tag line.

VERSION 4, MT-33000 to MT-39999, in-line prefix with dash separator on www base, narrower font on tag line

VERSION 5, M/T40000 to current high, on visitPA base, wide legend on tag line, first observed 6/20/06.

Sample

from Eric Butler

Moped (Motorized Pedacycle = Moped)(~1977)

VERSION 1, ~1977 to  unknown date, 000AA to 999ZZ, blue on yellow, PENNA on top, MOPED on bottom, valid thru the 2000-2001 plate changeover.

VERSION 2, Unknown date to plate changeover, AA000 to AZ999, blue on yellow, PENNA on top, MOPED on bottom, valid thru the 2000-2001 plate changeover.

VERSION 3, First issued 4/16/2000, BA000 to BM999, on www base, plates use MP legend.

VERSION 4, ~9/07 BN000 to BZ999 or current high, on visitPA base, plates use MP legend.

Moped Dealer

Circa 1985 image

On www base, first issued 9/99, MPD4000 to current high, the MPD is in small letters along the bottom of the plate.

graphic depiction

Motor Vehicle (M.V.) Business (1966)

VERSION 1, 1966, C00-00A to C44-99D, blue on yellow, map outline, PA MV BUSINESS 1966 on top.

VERSION 2, 1966 plates issued (or renewed) with 67, 68 and 69 stickers.  From at least C45-00C to C99-99D, blue on yellow, map outline, PA MV BUSINESS 1966 on top.  The image shown has the 66 covered by the 67 sticker.

  Version 2, 1966 plate with 68 sticker.

  Version 2, 1966 plate with 69 sticker.

VERSION 3, 1967, C00-00A to C99-99D, blue on yellow, map outline, PENNSYLVANIA in top border, M.V. BUSINESS 1967 on top.

VERSION 4, 1968, C00-00A to C99-99D, blue on yellow, map outline, PENNSYLVANIA in top border, M.V. BUSINESS 1968 on top.

VERSION 5, 1969, C00-00A to C99-99D, blue on yellow, map outline, PENNSYLVANIA in top border, M.V. BUSINESS 1969 on top.

VERSION 6, 1970, C00-00A to C99-99D, blue on yellow, map outline, PENNSYLVANIA in top border, M.V. BUSINESS 1970 on top.

VERSION 7, 1971, C10-000C to C99-999C, yellow on blue, M.V. BUSINESS 1971 on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom.

VERSION 8, 1972, C10-000C to C99-999C, yellow on blue, M.V. BUSINESS 1972 on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom.

VERSION 9, 1973, C10-000C to C99-999C, yellow on blue, M.V. BUSINESS 1973 on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom.

VERSION 10, 1974, C10-000C to C99-999C, yellow on blue, M.V. BUSINESS 1974 on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom.

VERSION 11, 1975-76, C10-000C to C99-999C, yellow on blue, M.V. BUSINESS on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, undated, validated with stickers for 75 and 76.

Version 11 with 76 sticker

VERSION 12, 1977, C10-000C to C99-999C, blue on yellow, PENNSYLVANIA on top, M.V. BUSINESS 1977 on bottom

VERSION 13, 1978, C10-000C to C99-999C, blue on yellow, PENNSYLVANIA on top, M.V. BUSINESS 1978 on bottom

VERSION 14, 1979 to about 1984, C10-000C to C99-999C, blue on yellow, PENNSYLVANIA on top, M.V. BUSINESS on bottom, undated, validated with stickers thru 1999 and 2000.

In 1966 a new series of plates was issued called Motor Vehicle Business.  This series continued until about 1984, when it was split into four groups, the largest of which was Repair/Service Towing.  The other three included Salvage Yard, Transporter and Repossessor; however, some of the M.V. Business plates continued to be revalidated until the plate changeover in 1999 or 2000.

Municipal Motorcycle (1974-75)

VERSION 1, 1971 base but first issued in 1974-75 to 1977, MG000 to MG999, yellow on blue, map outline, MUNICIPAL on top border, PENNA on bottom border, plate measures 4½" x 8".

VERSION 2, issued 1977, believed to be no longer in use, MG000 to MG999, blue on reflective white, map outline,  PENNA on top border, MUNICIPAL on bottom border, plate measures 4½" x 8".

VERSION 3, 1977 or later, still current, 000MG to 999MG, blue on reflective white, map outline,  PENNA on top border, MUNICIPAL on bottom border, plate measures 4½" x 8".

VERSION 4, first issued 1984, still current, MG000 to MG999, reflective white on blue, map outline,  MUNICIPAL on top border, PENNA on bottom border, plate measures 4½" x 8".

VERSION 5, first issued 2007, still current, MG00A to MG99Z, reflective white on blue, map outline,  MUNICIPAL on top border, PENNA on bottom border, plate measures 4½" x 8".

SAMPLE of Version 1

from Harry Nowak

from Allan Cooper

Omnibus (1974)

VERSION 1: OB-10000 to between OB-23999 and OB-28999 blue on yellow base, sticker wells upper left & right, dash separator,  PENNSYLVANIA on top, OMNIBUS on bottom, validated with stickers thru 2000.

VERSION 2: 1984, from between OB-24000 and OB-29000 to OB-49999, yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator, OMNIBUS on top, PENNSYLVANIA on  bottom, validated thru 2000.

VERSION 3: 4/16/2000, OB-50000 to OB-58999, on www base, dash separator, sticker well upper left, tag line OMNIBUS on bottom, font uses a sans serif I.

VERSION 4: From OB-59000 to OB-60999, series uses the serif I on tag line. Other formatting same as VERSION 3.

VERSION 5: From OB-61000 to OB-63999, series uses the sans serif I on tag line. Other formatting same as VERSION 3.

VERSION 6: OB-64000 to OB-68999, uses the serif I on tag line. Other formatting same as VERSION 3.

VERSION 7: OB-69000 to current high, on visitPA base, keystone separator, tag line font on this type uses a serif I.

SAMPLE of VERSION 4

Bus plates were first introduced in 1924.  Prior to that buses were registered as commercial vehicles.  It should be noted that the term omnibus has been associated with buses and bus plates since 1924 when the first bus plates were issued, some plates even used the 'O' prefixes; however no plates used the tag legend omnibus until this series was introduced in about 1974.

Permanent Trailer (1997)

VERSION 1: PT-00000 to PT-99999 (actual high unknown), yellow on blue base, PERM-TRAILER on top, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, no validation stickers, valid thru changeover in 4/2001.

VERSION 2: First issued 4/16/2001, PT-0000A to PT-9999K, on www base, PERM-TRAILER on bottom.

VERSION 3: First seen ~ 3/07, PT-0000L to current high on visitPA base, keystone separator.

SAMPLE of Version 1

SAMPLE of Version 2

from Jim Moini

Repair / Service Towing

VERSION 1: First issued around 1984, RS-00000 to between RS-01599 and RS-02299, yellow on blue, REP / SER TOWING on top which is screen printed, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, no sticker well, valid thru the 1999 plate changeover.

VERSION 2: From between RS-01600 and RS-02300 to between RS-14999 and RS-16999, REP / SER TOWING on top which is now embossed, Pennsylvania on bottom now uses the "You've got a friend" font, sticker well lower left, valid thru the 1999 plate changeover.

VERSION 3: From between RS-15000 and RS-17000 to between RS-25999 and RS-31999, REP / SER TOWING on top which, still embossed, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom now reverts back to standard font, sticker well lower left, valid thru the 1999 plate changeover.

VERSION 4: From between RS-26000 and RS-32000 to unknown series high, REPAIR TOWING on top, note change in legend, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, sticker well lower left, valid thru the 1999 plate changeover.

VERSION 5: From RT-20000 to RT-46999, on www base with dash separator, REPAIR TOWING on bottom in narrow font, sticker well upper left.  Plate series RT-00000 to RT-19999 reserved for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

VERSION 6: From RT-47000 to RT-48999, same as Version 5 but with wider tag legend as used on Version 7, sticker well upper left.

VERSION 7: RT-49000 to current high, switched to visitPA base with keystone separator and wide legend, sticker well upper left.

History

In 1966 a new series of plates was issued called Motor Vehicle Business.  This series continued until about 1984, when it was split into four groups, the largest of which was Repair/Service Towing.  The other three included Salvage Yard, Transporter and Repossessor (sometimes referred to as Financier or Collector-Repossessor).  Each of these new types had their own distinctive prefix.  RS & RT for Repair/Service Towing which was abbreviated REP / SER TOWING and later shortened to REPAIR TOWING.  Salvage Yard used a WL prefix, while Transporter and Repossessor used DT and RE respectively.  Some years later (1995) Watercraft Trailer Dealers also became part of this group.  These plates use a WD prefix.

Repossessor

VERSION 1: First issued around 1984, RE-00000 to unknown high, yellow on blue, REPOSSESSOR on top which is screen printed, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, no sticker well, valid thru the 1999 plate changeover.  See commentary in right column.

VERSION 2: From RE-50000 to current high, on www base with dash separator, REPOSSESSOR embossed on bottom, sticker well upper left.

I have only seen Version 1 plates numbered RE-00060, RE-00061, and RE-00140.  All were formatted the same, so it is unknown if this plate type progressed in a similar manner as Repair / Service Towing.  If so, the next series would likely have REPOSSESSOR embossed and may have used the "You've got a friend" font for the state name.

Also please read the history above of the Repair Service / Towing, and how the REPOSSESSOR plate came about.

Salvage Yard

(Text to be added as time permits.)

Image needed

School Bus (1956)

VERSION 1, 1956, 0000 to 9999, yellow on blue, wide border map outline, expiration date 6-30-58 in upper border, PA SCHOOL BUS under top border, year diagonally stacked on left, wide dies.

VERSION 2, 1957, 0000 to 9999, blue on yellow, narrower  map border outline than Version 1, expiration date 6-30-59 in upper border, PA SCHOOL BUS under top border, year diagonally stacked on left, narrower dies.

VERSION 3, 1958 to 63, 0000 to 9999,  yellow on blue, narrower map border outline than Version 2, PA SCHOOL BUS 58 on top, slot for tab, validated with stickers thru '63.

VERSION 4, 1958 to 63, 10000 to 99999,  yellow on blue, narrower map border outline than Version 2, PA SCHOOL BUS 58 on top, no slot for tab, validated with stickers thru '63.

VERSION 5, 1964 - 67, 0000 to 99999,  yellow on blue, same map border outline as Version 3, PA SCHOOL BUS 64 on top, validated with stickers thru '67.

VERSION 5 with 5-digit serial

VERSION 6, 1968, SA-10000 to >SA-26999, 68 base, blue on yellow, narrow  map border outline, keystone separator, SCHOOL BUS on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, sticker well lower left with border, validated with stickers thru '71.

VERSION 7, 1972, SA-10000 to >SA-23999, blue on yellow base, sticker wells upper left & right, 72 lightly etched in upper left well, keystone separator, SCHOOL BUS on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, validated with stickers thru '76.

VERSION 8, 1977, SB-10000, blue on yellow, sticker wells upper left & right, keystone separator, SCHOOL BUS on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, validated with stickers thru 2000 or later.

VERSION 9, 92/93? SB, number series is a continuation of the previous version, yellow on blue, sticker well lower left, SCHOOL BUS on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, validated with stickers thru 2000 or later.

VERSION 10, 6/2000, SC-00000 to SC-05499 or more likely SC-05999, on www base with small keystone separator, tag line font has slightly wider characters than the FORMAT 2 plate.

VERSION 11, 2000, From SC-05500 or more likely SC-06000 to SC-46999, on www base with small keystone separator, tag line font has slightly narrower characters than the FORMAT 1 plate.

VERSION 12, 8/2006, From SC-47000 to current high, on visitPA base with larger keystone separator.

SAMPLE, 58 base, no slot for tab

SAMPLE, 71 Base, does not correspond to any issued plate.

SAMPLE, 2000 (www) Base

from Paul Bagnarol

Font comparison

VERSION 9 top

VERSION 10 bottom

Special Mobile (Equipment) (1982(?)-84)

VERSION 1, SME-0000 to SME-9999,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator, SPECIAL MOBILE on top, Pennsylvania at bottom uses the "You've got a friend" font. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 2, 0000-SME to 9999-SME,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator, SPECIAL MOBILE on top, PENNSYLVANIA at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 3, SME-000A to SME-000C,  yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator, SPECIAL MOBILE on top, PENNSYLVANIA at bottom. Valid thru the 2000 plate reissue.

VERSION 4, SME-000D to current high,  www base, sticker well upper left, dash separator, PENNSYLVANIA on top, SPECIAL MOBILE on bottom with wide font.

It is believed that an additional variation of Version 1 of this plate may exist with the standard PENNSYLVANIA font in place of the "You've got a friend" font.

One source says this plate type was first issued in 1982, another source says 1984.  If this were issued in 1982, the earliest plates could have been on the blue on yellow base.

Any help with this Special Mobile Equipment category would be appreciated.

Taxi (1977)

VERSION 1: 1977, TX-10000 to TX-24999, in actuality plates were issued up to around TX-16000 range, or possibly higher, blue on yellow base, sticker wells upper left & right, dash separator,  PENNSYLVANIA on top, TAXI on bottom, validated with stickers thru 1984(?) VERSION 2: 1984, TX-25000 to TX-34999, in actuality plates were issued up to around TX-31821, or possibly higher, yellow on blue base, sticker well lower left, dash separator, TAXI on top, PENNSYLVANIA on  bottom, validated thru 2000.

VERSION 3: 3/2000, TX-35000 to TX-38999, www base, sticker well upper left, plate legend font on this type uses a sans serif I.

VERSION 4: TX-39000 to TX-45999, www base, sticker well upper left, plate legend font on this version uses a serif I.

VERSION 5: TX-46000 to current high, visitPA base with keystone separator, sticker well upper left, plate legend font on this version uses a serif I.

SAMPLE of VERSION 2

from Jay Embee

from Paul Bagnarol

Prior to 1977 taxi vehicles used bus plates.

Trailer Dealer (1995)

VERSION 1: TD0000D to TD0999D (actual high unknown), yellow on blue base, the TD prefix and D suffix are static non-advancing characters, Trailer Dealer on top, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom, no separator used, sticker well lower left.

VERSION 2: TD1000D to TD9999D (or current high), www base, the TD prefix and D suffix are static non-advancing characters, on top, Trailer Dealer on bottom, no separator used, sticker well upper left.

Transporter

(Text to be added as time permits.)

Image needed

Image needed

from Jim Moini

University of Pittsburgh (official)

VERSION 1: "U"0000"P" to plate changeover during 9/99. Uses 'title case' on plate legend.  University of Pittsburgh at top, PENNSYLVANIA at bottom, no stickers used, plate is semi-permanent.

VERSION 2: "U"0500"P" (reissued 9/99) to format change at or before U1000P. Uses 'title case' on plate legend.   PENNSYLVANIA at top, University of Pittsburgh at bottom, no stickers used, plate is semi-permanent.

VERSION 3: From changeover at or before U1000P to current high. Uses 'small caps' on plate legend.  PENNSYLVANIA at top, University Of Pittsburgh at bottom, no stickers used, plate is semi-permanent. Issued in pairs.

VERSION 4: From changeover at or before U1111P to current high on visitPA base.  Plate legend format unknown.  Format added 1/22/10.

from Bruce Bufalini

from Eric Conner