This week's update is all about pairs. Not "pair" in the traditional sense, but a group of two photos per entry. The first one is a pair of Bus plates from Clayton Moore. The Bus type started in 1924 and used the letter "O" from 1924 through 1967, except for 1934, which used all numbers and the "BUS" legend at the bottom (see first picture).

The next pair comes from Nick Tsilakis, two Offical Use plates. When the "PA" is on the right, that means it's a passenger vehicle. When the "PA" is on the left, that means it's a commercial vehicle. Both of these numbers also happen to be new highs! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Last but not least we have this pair of Truck plates sent in by Rob Baran. Truck plates in PA have always had a weight class system of some sort, even today (via a windshield sticker), but from 1924 through 1967 (except 1930, where they tried something different), PA used a letter to denote the weight class (R for lightest, Z for heaviest, and X was skipped since it was used for Dealer). The Truck type started in 1914 - from 1914 through 1919, PA used 1 thru 5 stars to denote the weight class. From 1920 thru 1923, the first number of the plate number denoted the weight class. After 1967, Truck became Commercial starting at CA-10000, and then in the early 90s the "Y" prefix was used for Truck, starting at YA-00000, then restarting at YAA-0000 on the "www" base of 1999, going through YZZ-9999 and onto ZBA-0000. The current high is ZWM-9008.

John McDevitt reached out to PennDOT to get prototype images of the redesigned Dealer types we have yet to see on the road and they sent them! The types that were redesigned that have already been spotted on the road are Dealer (New), Dealer (Pre-Owned), Repair Towing, Moped Dealer, and Salvage Yard (new this week, see below). Thanks, John, for doing the legwork for these!

George Kunsman spotted the redesigned Salvage Yard plate on the road, the first time it's been submitted to this site. As mentioned above, all of the Dealer types have been redesigned and are replacing the current issues (that is, they are not only going to new registrations).

John McDevitt also spotted this pair of highs for the Exeter Township Fire Department and Gettysburg Fire Department plate types. They are also first-of images with the map outline in place of the sticker well, AND they're both the 38th plate produced for each type! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Bill Koneski posted this beautiful Bloomsburg University blue base plate. This plate type started in 1992 (on the blue base) and transitioned to the "www" base in 2000. The school is in Bloomsburg, PA, which is 40 miles southwest of Wilkes-Barre. The plate costs $50 plus a $112 fee if you want to personalize it. Click here to order one!

Last but not least, John Clark sends in this picture of all three bases of the Steel Worker plate type. This is available to individuals who worked in the steel industry or a member of their family, however no documentation is required to obtain one of the plates. This particular plate is $23 plus a $112 fee if you want to personalize it. Click here to order one!

This may be the find of 2023: a picture of recently-redesigned Moped Dealer plates. These three plates replace the plates in the picture on the right - they all belong to the same dealer. I made a lot of phone calls about ten years ago to track an example of these plates down and found the guy who has the plates pictured. Very nice guy!

Clayton Moore sends in this picture of a 1921 Dealer plate, which is also a new high number for this year. Pennsylvania used the "X" prefix from 1911 to 1965. The first year for Dealer was 1910 and the plates just said "DEALER", and in 1930 a different serial system was used but plate still had the word "DEALER" in the legend. Starting in 1946, the "A" and "B" prefixes were added to the mix and "X" was relegated to the "Misc. Dealer" sub-type, and that was in effect through 1965.

I spotted this new high for the Temporary plate type this past week. It appears that they are zipping through the 40xx-xxx series! Fun fact: Pennsylvania residents cannot get a Pennsylvania temp tag (assuming their car is going to be registered in Pennsylvania). For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Bruce Bufalini sends in this picture of a personalized Seton Hill University plate. Seton Hill University is in Greensburg, PA and there is not much information on their website about their specialty plate. I presume the standard $112 fee applies to personalize the plate, on top of whatever the school charges for the plate.

This picture of a personalized Distinguished Flying Cross plate comes from Nick Tsilakis. PennDOT offers dozens of Veterans plates, and 24 of those acknowledge medals/badges/ribbons. This particular plate is $10 plus a $112 fee if you want to personalize it. Click here to order one, you must send a copy of your DD214 discharge paperwork with the application.

Tim Gierschick sends this sequential pair of 1925 Tractor plates. Tim's passion for Tractor plates is palpable; he has one from every year they were issued, including a pair of 1914s and a pair of 1915s, the only two years they were issued in pairs! This is his latest score. The "E" prefix was used until 1927 - it stood for "Engine". It was then "TE" for Traction Engine" and then "TRACTOR", and finally "TR" prefix. In 1984 this type was replaced by the Special Mobile Equipment for tractors used for commercial purposes and the Implement of Husbandy type for tractors used for agricultural purposes.

The Motorcycle plate type has moved into its next serial sequence, going from 9ZZ99 to 00AA0. Thanks to John McDevitt for the picture. This number also happens to be a new high! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

This new high for the Pollinator Habitat plate type comes from Matt Ciecka. It appears that this new type is selling quite well! Click here to order one!

David Hobbs sends in this picture of a new high for the Antique Vehicle plate type. In order to qualify for an Antique Vehicle plate, the vehicle has to be at least 25 years old, in good overall condition, and cannot be used for daily transportation. Antiqued vehicles are exempt from both safety and emissions inspections. This is a series that moves fairly slowly so it will be a while before we see Z9ZZ.

Here's another new high from John McDevitt, this time for the Combat Action Badge plate type. PennDOT offers dozens of Veterans plates, and 24 of those acknowledge medals/badges/ribbons.

I have been noticing a proliferation of legitimate plate numbers put on black and white plastic plates. In fact, these four came to me all within a month's time. Have you seen any of these around? (Top-left picture is from Chris Van Zandt, top-right from me, bottom-left from Bruce Bufalini, and bottom-right from Craig Skotnicki)

This NRA Foundation plate comes from John McDevitt. This type is interesting for two reasons: (1) it's one of two plates with three stacked letters (other than NASCAR) and (2) the N/R/A moved from next to the serial to the right edge somewhere in the early 0800s. This number also happens to be a new high! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Clayton Moore sends this picture of a blue base American Legion plate. This plate type came out in 1984 which makes it one of the first special plates to be offered in Pennsylvania (Fire Fighter was first, in 1983). Numbering on the blue base topped out at around 02002 and the current high is 02644. This type is still on the 1999 base (faded yellow and blue bands) which means PennDOT had more produced than they anticipated would be ordered and therefore have not exhausted the stock. Once that stock is exhausted, we will see this type move onto the 2005 base (solid yellow and blue bands).

Chris Van Zandt sends in this picture of a low-number Vanity plate. Low numbers in Pennsylvania are not a separate series, they fall under the Vanity umbrella. They're still nice to look at, regardless of how they're classified!

This is a new high for the Purple Heart plate type, sent in by John McDevitt. Purple Heart plates started in 1986 and, like the American Legion plate above, is one of the first special plates to be offered. PennDOT also calls this plate "Combat Wounded Veteran."

In this week's installment of rare/low issuance specialty plates, we have this Pittsburgh Harlequins Rugby Football Association plate. This type has been out since 2008 and only 22 of these plates are on the road, according to the PennDOT vanity plate checker! This is a slightly higher issuance the weeks past, but it averages out to 3 plates issued every 2 years!

Chris Van Zandt sends this #1 plate for Porsche Club of America. PCA is one of the largest car owner groups around and Pennsylvania has offered their license plate since 2002. The current high is P/C 00693. For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Chris Van Zandt also sends this personalized BMW Car Club of America plate. This plate has one of the longest legends of all time: "Delaware Valley Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America." And that's all jammed in between the bolt holes at the bottom of the plate! This plate type has been out since 2011 and the current high is 00182 B/W.

Clayton Moore sends in this picture of a low-number Motorcycle plate. It's only a "low number" because numbering for the 1999 base started at AAA00, so this was one of the first issued. Numbering ran up to NZZ99 on this base, then started at PAA00 on the solid blue/yellow bar base of 2005, then to ZZZ99, then 0000A thru 9999Z (with a special "LiveFreeRideAlive.com" legend for 7600L thru 7599T), then A0000 thru Z9999, and finally 0AA00 through the current high of 2ZR55. The "00AA0" format is next.

This picture of a Fraternal Order of Police plate shot by Avery Merz is a new high! This plate type came out in 1987 which equates to about 636 plates issued per year, or about 53 per month on average.

In this week's installment of rare/low issuance specialty plates, we have this Hartsville Fire Company plate. This type has been out since 2009 and only three of these plates are on the road, according to the PennDOT vanity plate checker! Hartsville Fire company is located in Bucks County.

The Mount St. Mary's University plate type is not ultra-low issuance but it's still fairly uncommon to spot. The school is actually located in Frederick County, Maryland and is one of a few out-of-state schools which have license plate programs in Pennsylvania. Thanks to John Kerestes for the picture!

Clayton Moore sends in this very low numbered Moped plate. Numbering on this based started at BA000 so this is the 103rd plate issued on this base.

Your author spotted this Dealer (New Vehicles) plate at Ferrari of Philadelphia. This type started in 2023 and it, along with the Dealer (Pre-Owned Vehicles) type, replace the former Dealer type. Expect this type to go through numbering fairly quickly.

I thought it would be a good idea to feature some of PA's rarer specialty plates. The PA Council on Independent Living plate type has been out since late 2008, but, according to the PennDOT vanity plate checker, only TWO are on the roads! To the best of my knowledge, any non-profit can start a plate program as long as PennDOT gets their money - whether it's 1,000 plates or just 1.

Brayden Harnish sends in this beautiful shot of the new Pollinator Habitat plate, which also happens to be a new high! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Here's another new high, this one of a Juniata College plate spotted by John Clark. This is one of a handful of plates that are still issued on the 1999 "www" base. The reason for this is that the supply that was initially produced has not been exhausted. In other words, demand was not as strong as PennDOT predicted.

Colin Schaefer sends in this great picture of an Amateur Radio plate. This type dates back to 1956 and allows your FCC call sign to be printed on a license plate for use on your vehicle. The plate costs $11 and you must have an FCC-issued call sign. Click here to order one!

The last entry this week comes from Vern Kreckel: a recently-issued Truck plate. As of today, the current high for Truck is ZWF-0781.

We don't typically track or post low numbers but this Dealer (Pre-Owned) sighting from Arthur Levine is notable since this plate type just came out. The current observed high is P/R 15900. Dealer plates broke out into different sub-types under the same legend of "DEALER" as early as 1946 (Transit Dealer and Misc. Dealer), then had a reorganization in 1966 (New, Used, M.V. Business), and had a third reorganization in 1971 (New, Used, M.V. Business, Tractor Dealer, and Trailer Dealer). In 1984, New and Used were combined into serial designation previously used by New, M.V. Business split into Salvage Yard, Repair Service Towing, Repossessor, and Transporter, Tractor Dealer became Dealer - Farm Equipment in 1991, and Trailer Dealer got its own type in 1995. Watercraft/Trailer Dealer also became a plate type in 1995, and Fleet Transporter started in 1997.

This beautiful 1915 Passenger plate comes to us from Mike Alfonse. This is one of the nicer ones your author has seen - very little damage and a beautiful blue sheen.

Mike Alfonse also sends in this picture of a Flyers Charities plate. This plate started out with the legend "Flyers Wives Charities", then changed to "Flyers Wives Charity", then back to "Flyers Wives Charities", and now it simply says "Flyers Charities". This is also a new high! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

This personalized St. Francis University plate comes from Bruce Bufalini. St. Francis University, just outside of Altoona, has a fairly low-selling plate program. Your author estimates that less than 500 plates have been sold since the plate came out in 1999 (about 20 plates per year). The plate costs $100, plus an additional $108 to personalize. Click here to order it!

Richard Than sends in this picture of an Eagle Scout plate. This plate type came out in 2019 and the highest observed number is E/A 00024 - another low-selling plate type. Perhaps coincidental is that a plate type for a similar group, Boy Scouts of America, has been out since 2007 and the highest observed number as of today is 00172 B/S (about 10 plates per year).

Dale Bernecker sends in this perfect shot of a Gettysburg 1863 plate. From PennDOT: "Proceeds from this plate go directly to the Veteran Trust Fund and will support the cleaning, repair and restoration of the Pennsylvania monuments by the Gettysburg National Military Park." This is also a new high! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page! To order this plate, click here!

Speaking of great pictures and new highs, here's a shot of a Let Freedom Ring plate. This plate celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the United States and is available through December 31, 2026. To order this plate, click here!

Devan Ciemiewicz sends in this picture of an Expeditionary Forces plate. This plate type is now on the "Family of Plates" style so it's a treat to still see the original style!

This personalized Animal Friends plate comes from Richard Than. Animal Friends is an animal shelter in Pittsburgh. The plate costs $38 and you can personalize it for an additional $112. Click here to order one!

Clayton Moore sends in this picture of a West Catholic High School plate on the blue base. West Catholic High School is located in Philadelphia and their plate program began in 1997. In 2000, special organization plates transitioned to the tri-color base.

Bruce Sakson sends in this first-of image of the new Pollinator Habitat plate. PennDOT allocates $25 from the sale of each of these plates to the Pollinator Habitat Program Fund. Your author finds it strange that they started at 10000 and not 10001, but we ARE talking about PennDOT here...

Speaking of types that start at 00000, Michael Almoney sends in this picture of a PA Association of Realtors plate. This type came out in 1995, starting on the blue and yellow base, and is still being issued today on the 1999 base. This means PennDOT ordered a batch of them but haven't sold them all yet, which is why we haven't seen any on the 2005 solid blue/yellow band base. Most special organization plates start at 00001 but a few types have started at 00000.

Mike Alfonse sends in this picture (left) of what's now the previous base/style for the Repair Towing plate type. Repair Towing plates were redesigned in 2022 to look like the plate on the right but presumably there was still inventory for the style on the left. It will be fun to track down the highest number printed on the lefthand plate.

This new observed high for the Limousine plate type comes from our own John McDevitt. This is a plate type that does not have a high rate of issuance so new highs are sometimes just a few numbers apart from previous highs. For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

This picture of a personalized Disabled Veteran (Severe Disability) plate comes from Mike Alfonse. This plate costs $11 plus another $56 to personalize it. It also grants the driver handicapped parking privileges. If you qualify for this plate type and would like to order it, here is the link to the form.

Licensed Driver badges were the precursor to modern driver's licenses. This topic has been something covered in detail on this website - until now! Here is the link to the page that shows Licensed Driver badges by year and type. Thanks to John McDevitt for cropping the photos and publishing the page, and thanks to Mike Alfonse for all the photos and info!

This is the first picture of the newly-redesigned New Vehicle Dealer plate. This type is part of a general redesign of the various dealer types. So far, only redesigned versions of this type, the Pre-Owned Dealer type, and the Repair Towing type have hit the streets. Thanks to Brayden Harnish for the picture!

Dave Fry sends in this picture of what appears to be a test plate for what's now the Emergency Vehicle plate type. PennDOT has a history of producing test/prototype plates so it is not totally surprising to see this one. We will eventually be adding a Test/Prototype section to this website.

Bradley Woodring sends in this picture of a personalized Distracted Driving Awareness Motorcycle plate. This is the first picture of a personalized version of this plate type. Thanks Bradley! The fee for this plate is $40 plus an additional $112 if you want it personalized. Click here for the plate order form.

Clayton Moore sends in this picture of an Apportioned Truck plate. What's special about this picture is not the plate, but the stickers. According to Clayton, the stickers are rare to find in collections, especially the 1988. This website has an entire page dedicated to validation stickers - check it out here!

John Clark sends in this first-of image of a Blackthorn Rugby Football Club plate. This club is located in Horsham, PA and was established in 1971. The plate became available in 2022. It's also a new high! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Tiger Joe Sallmen shares this picture of a 1925 Truck plate. Truck plates have always had a weight class identifier of some kind since the plate type started in 1914, but the R-Z (no X) system was in place fom 1924-1967 (excluding 1930). Z denotes the heaviest weight class - 9,001+ unladen weight in 1925! In fact, Z-844 is the highest known number for 1925 "Z" plates.

John Clark also sends in this picture of a Fraternal Order of Police - Survivor plate. These are fairly rare to spot so we are thankful that he got such a good picture! The FOP Survivor fund was created to remember the surviving families of fallen officers.

This picture of a personalized Zeta Phi Beta Sorority plate comes from Mike Alfonse. This is a fairly uncommon one to spot as-is, let alone a personalized version!

Last but not least, John McDevitt spotted this new Repair Towing high. This type came out in October 2022 as part of a general redesign of the various dealer types. So far, only redesigned versions of this type and the Pre-Owned Dealer type have hit the streets.

Effective March 3, 2023, four new plate types are now authorized: (1) Pollinator Conservation, (2) Afghanistan and Iraq Veteran (veteran who served in both conflicts), (3) Blue Star Family, and (4) Air Medal. It's unlikely that any of these plates are on the road yet but here are the prototype images from PennDOT's website.

Tim Gierschick sends in this low-number 1925 Tractor plate. Tractor plates started in 1914 and used the "E" prefix for "Engine" until 1928 when the prefix "TE" was used for "Traction Engine". From 1934 to 1984, the prefix was dropped and the word "Tractor" appeared on the plate. In 1984, Tractor plates broke out into two types: Special Mobile Equipment if used for industrial purposes and Implement of Husbandry if used for agricultural purposes.

Michael Vislocky shares this picture of a 1943 tab that was meant for a Bus plate. If you click on the picture, you will see the serial number "O 7589" etched into the bottom of the tab. In an effort to conserve steel during the war, these tabs were distributed in 1943 in lieu of a new annual plate, and the serial numbers had their own series, just like regular plates did. These tabs were affixed to the 1942 plate. The second picture shows whata plate would have looked like during 1943 (passenger plate, picture from Tim Gierschick).

Brendan Sherry sends in this picture of a Official Use - PA State Police plate. Starting in 2017, agency-specific Official Use plates began to roll out, starting with PennDOT, then PA Turnpike Commission, and then PA State Police. Those are the only agency-specific plate types known so far.

The "plate of the week" award goes to this low-number Motorboat plate. Motorboat plates started in 1931 and were issued annually, except for the pictured plate, which was used for 1934-1936. This particular plate was recently sold by Briggs Auction in Chadds Ford, PA and is the first known single-digit plate for this year span.

This is a personalized Fraternal Order of Police plate, sent in by John Clark. Starting around 2016, PennDOT allowed personalization of all special organization plates that weren't still on the faded blue/yellow band base. The cost to personalize a special organization plate is around $100.

Brendan Sherry sends in this picture of the newly-redesigned (unfortunately) Disabled Veteran plate. There are two types of Disabled Veteran plates: Disabled and Severely Disabled. The latter comes with handicapped parking privileges. The second image (sent by Bruce Bufalini) shows the base before this type was switched to the "Family of Plates" design.

This picture of a School Bus plate, sent in by Bill Young, is a new observed high! Once SC-99999 is reached, SD-00000 SE-00000 will likely be the first plate of the next series (thanks to Nick Tsilakis for pointing out that the SD-00000 series is used by Square & Round Dancers.) For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Bruce Bufalini sends this new high for the Duquesne University plate type. This type started in 1991 on the blue and yellow base.

Brayden Harnish sends in this new observed high number for the Teen Driver plate type. This type came out in late 2013 so this is not a high-volume type. For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

We have a number of new highs this week. This one (Limerick Fire Department) comes from Mike Alfonse. In terms of fire company plates, this is a fairly high number to reach for any one department.

John McDevitt sends in this picture of the newly-redesigned Pre-Owned Dealer plate, which is also a new observed high number!

Our last high of the week comes from Mike Alfonse: Official Use - PennDOT. Starting in 2017, agency-specific Official Use plates began to roll out, starting with PennDOT, then PA Turnpike Commission, and then PA State Police. Those are the only agency-specific plate types known so far. Similar to plain-jane Official Use plates, the letter in the prefix position means passenger vehicle, while the letter in the suffix signifies a commercial vehicle.

This personalized Press Photographer plate comes from Cam Zynel. Almost every plate type can be personalized; the fee is around $100, depending on the plate type.

This very odd plate was spotted on eBay by Clayton Moore. It appears to be Pennsylvania's contribution to Ford's 28 millionth vehicle, built in 1940. Thank you to Rick Kretschmer for clarifying those details. More oddball plates can be found on the Mystery, Oddball, Etc. page.

Bill Stephens sends in this FIRST-OF picture of the Williamson College of the Trades plate type. This school is located in Media, PA (Delaware County) and is technically a new high! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

John Fedorchak sends in this picture of the newly-redesigned Repair Towing plate. It's not a new high number, but a great picture nevertheless!

Devan Ciemiewicz sends in this picture of a 1980s-era Vanity plate. It's always nice to see older plates still in great condition!

Mike Alfonse sends in this pair of Licensed Driver badges. What's special about them (pun intended) is the "Special" designation, which were issued to drivers 15 years of age and younger(!) or handicapped, according to Mike. A section for these will be on the website in the near future.

Jordan Irazabal submits this picture of a newly observed high number Temporary plate, the first one on this website in the 4000-000 series! It is also a new high. For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

This Vietnam War Veteran plate picture is a new high from Bruce Bufalini. The map outline took the place of the sticker well around V/W 10900.

Continuing on this week's theme of new highs, Richard Than sends in this new high for the Preserve Our Heritage plate type. This is the one of the few plate types that has not transitioned to the "Family of Plates" design (blue-white-yellow), and the final Special Fund plate left that hasn't transitioned.

This new high for the Classic Car plate type comes from Mike Alfonse. The last reported high was in the 56000s so this is a nice update!

Mike Alfonse also sends this newly observed high number for the Disabled Veteran plate type. This type has always intrigued me; there are two sub-types: Disabled and Severely Disabled (complete w/ handicapped parking eligibility), and each of those types has two sub-types: regular issue and double plate (a second plate in a separate number block to mount on a scooter/wheelchair hitch on the back of a car so the plate can still be seen when the hitch is installed on the vehicle).

Clayton Moore sends in a picture of this pair of U.S. Armed Forces Retired plates. This plate type was introduced in 1990 and discontinued in 2006. The highest observed number is D/D 04569. For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Mike Alfonse sends in this shot of a Bronze Star for Valor plate. Although not a new observed high number, it's certainly one of the rarer ones to spot!

This new observed high number for the Antique/Historic Car plate type, courtesy of Keaton Chapman Reckard. This plate type began in 1956 on the white-on-purple base, starting with #1, as pictured!

Bruce Bufalini sends in this picture of an Amateur Radio plate with the "-2" suffix. As mentioned in the 12/25/2022 post, it's believed that this is used so a second vehicle titled to the radio operator can receive the same call sign appended with a "-2". Another theory is a situation where someone had their call sign on a plate, gave up the call sign, someone else takes the call sign but the PennDOT database still shows the former owner's name so a "-2" is added to make everyone happy. Please feel free to contact us if you have better information!

Matt Ciecka reports this new observed high number for the new Pre-Owned Dealer plate type. This type came out in October 2022 as part of a general redesign of the various dealer types. So far, only redesigned versions of this type and the Repair Towing type have hit the streets.

Clayton Moore sends in this picture of a Civil Defense plate along with a registration card. This is significant because, before Clayton found this registration card, little was known about the year of issue of these plates. It was thought to be any time between 1950 and 1979. Click the picture to see a larger image.

Here is a new Passenger high from Ethan Lopez, spotted in the city of Philadelphia. The Passenger series rolled over to the Mxx series in September 2022. For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Brayden Harnish sends in this picture of a new observed high number for the U.S. Marine Corps Active Duty plate. The Active Duty plates do not seem to be ultra-popular, possibly because people may not wish to identify themselves as active duty military.

Although this is not a high observed high number, it's the clearest picture of a current-style Official Use plate we have on this site. This type switched from the white-on-blue style to the "Family of Plates" style in mid-2021. PennDOT is hell-bent on switching all plates to this "Family of Plates" design, much to our collective chagrin. Thanks to Mike Alfonse for the picture.

Mike Alfonse also sends in this picture of a Repossessor plate, a type that is very seldom spotted in the wild. It's speculated that this is one of the dealer types that will be redesigned.

Act 112 of HB 1486 clarifies the law on plate frames and confirms what justifies law enforcement to pull someone over for. Before this was enacted, any obstruction on the plate was enough for police to make a traffic stop. This new law says that only obstruction to the serial number justifies a traffic stop. This law was written pursuant to a recent Pennsylvania Superior Court case involving someone who was pulled over because "visitPA.com" was hidden by the plate frame.

Brandon Sowers sends in this picture-perfect image of a Teen Driver plate. These plates are available for any Pennsylvania driver to order. It's also one of the few plates that PennDOT offers where the funds don't go to a specific charity or state trust fund. According to news articles, the main purpose of this plate is to inform drivers that an inexperienced driver is ahead.

Here is another picture-perfect shot, this time from Richard Than, of an In God We Trust plate. Like the plate above, the proceeds from the sale of these plates are not earmarked for any specific charity or state trust fund. This is a new observed high number as well! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Bruce Bufalini sends in this image of a U.S. Army Reserve plate. This type came out in 1987 on the blue and yellow base and started at 0001. When plates transitioned to the tri-color base in 1999, numbering resumed at 1000 or 1001. The current high is A/R 1251 as of January 2021 so only about 1,250 plates have been issued in the last 23 years.

Mike Alfonse shares this image of a Combat Infantryman Badge plate, which also happens to be a new observed high number. PennDOT offers dozens of military and veteran plates, click here to see a full list.

John McDevitt located this ultra-cool picture of a 1935 Bus plate from the Philadelphia Free Library archives! Bus plates began as their own type in 1924 and had an "O" prefix (that's the letter, not the number zero). Today, they live in with a "BA" prefix. Click the picture to see a larger version!

This Saint Joseph's University plate, sent in by Jordan Irazabal, is not a new high observed number but it's a rare one to spot in the wild. Its logo was redesigned in 2013.

Speaking of redesigned college plates, this Gettysburg College plate (left) was sent in by Bruce Bufalini. This plate was redesigned in 2015 and the new design (right) hit the roads in 2019.

The late-1980s vintage plate was spotted (on a YUGO!) by Jeff Lawson. The plate appears to be in much better shape than the car... Passenger plates on this base started at SAA-000 and went to ZZZ-999, and the moved to AAA-0000 in 1992. Click the picture to see a larger version!

Clayton Moore sends in this image of a 1926 Tractor plate. The "E" prefix was used for Tractor (sometimes called "Traction Engine") plates from 1914 through 1927, then "TE" from 1928 through 1933. Beginning in 1934, the word "TRACTOR" appeared on the plate as the identifier. Click here to see historical pictures of Tractor plates!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome to the new PApl8s.com! Primary navigation is at the top of the website, which stays visible as you scroll down each page. The only pages that are currently redesigned are this homepage, the Highs pages, and the 2023 Archives page. It is optimized for mobile devices also! There is much work to be done to bring this great website to today's coding standards but it is being worked on! Be sure to click on the thumbnail pictures below to see some new tech!

Speaking of new tech, be sure to check out the Highs page to see the new search feature!

John Clark sends in this pair of Friends of Drake Well plates, the bottom one being a new observed high number. He notes that these were issued over a year apart yet they are consecutive numbers. Check all the current highs on our Highs page!

Nick Tsilakis sends in this #1 Pennsylvania DUI Association plate. He notes that he saw the same plate back in 2016.

Here's a personalized Delaware Valley Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America plate sent in by Jordan Irazabal. I believe it also holds the title of the longest legend on a PA plate!

Brayden Harnish sends in this picture-perfect shot of a Pennsylvania Equine Council plate. It also happens to be a new high number.

This personalized In God We Trust plate was sent in by Dallis Broderick. A few years ago, PennDOT started allowing personalization on most plate types for an additional fee. This is one such example.

Temporary plates are almost at 4000-000! Jordan Irazabal sends in this image of a new observed high number. We will start seeing 4000-000 series plates anyday now!