How to Get a Personalized License Plate in Pennsylvania

Personalizing license plates is one of the most popular forms of car customization. With up to seven alphanumeric characters on a Pennsylvania plate, your message can be anything from a name to a proud declaration. Take your personality on the road.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Computer
• Vehicle's registration

Instructions

1. Log on to Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation Web site (see below).

2. Access an official application for personalized license plates by downloading form # MV-904.

3. Read the instructions on the second page of the form before proceeding to the application portion of the form. Keep all rules, regulations, policies and class designations in mind while filling out the application.

4. Check the "Personal Registration Plate" box.

5. Write your full legal name, home and office numbers, address, vehicle's identification number, title number, make of vehicle, current plate number and its expiration date.

6. List three choices for your personalized license plates in order of preference using capital alphanumeric character combinations. The number of allowable characters on your personalized license plate is dependent on your vehicle's type; follow the rules for personalized message options outlined on the application portion of the form and on the instructions page.

7. Sign and date your application to signify the truthfulness of your application.

8. Determine your fees and make a check payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

9. Mail your request form and check to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Special Tag Unit, P.O. Box 68293, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8293.

10. Receive your personalized license plates within 8 to 10 weeks. Affix any new decals on your permanent personalized plates upon receipt and use.

Tips & Warnings

• Permanent personalized license plates usually arrive within 8 to 10 weeks. If you move, be sure to contact Pennsylvania's Bureau of Motor Vehicles and give them your new address. If you do not advise the BMV of your move, receipt of your personalized license plates may be complicated or delayed.

• Be advised that if your plate is approved, it may undergo some changes during manufacturing. Certain characters' widths may cause the spacing specified to be reduced, eliminated or altered.

• The address on your vehicle's registration must be correct. Contact the BMV and make all changes to your address before placing your order for personalized license plates.

• You may keep your personalized license plates for as long as you wish, as long as you renew the special registration of your personalized license plates before their expiration date and pay all fees associated with them.

• The BMV will not honor requests for personalized license plates that contain prohibited characters, offensive or misleading messages or alphanumeric combinations that are already in use. Keep this in mind while choosing your plate message.

• Personalized license plates cost more than a standard license plate. Be aware that fees will likely compound on top of the standard license plate fees that you are accustomed to paying.

• Blank or incomplete areas on your application will cause the application process for your personalized license plate to be delayed. Be sure to fill in all requested information completely and truthfully.

• If your vehicle is sold, traded or its ownership transferred after the issuance of the personalized license plates, you must contact Pennsylvania's BMV to report the transaction. You must also follow the appropriate guidelines to release the plate to the new owner, transfer the plate to your new vehicle or return the plate to the department. Be advised that additional paperwork may be required.

• If Pennsylvania's BMV approves your personalized license plate and later finds that your message is offensive or inappropriate, your personalized license plate may be recalled.

• Your vehicle registration must be current for your application to be approved. You must also have a registration plate with a valid sticker from the standard issue plates when you apply for personalized license plates.

• A separate application for each personalized license plate requested must be completed and submitted.

• Once your order has been placed, no refunds will be issued.