News and postings from 2008

First image of a PASSENGER plate in the H series.  In keeping with past practice, the HAA series was skipped.  Posted 6/19.

Out on the road today  . . . spotted this 82^nd AIRBORNE DIVISION ASSOCIATION plate.  Posted 6/17.

Spotted these two MUNICIPAL MOTORCYCLE plates at a recent bike show.  These were both on police motorcycles.  It would appear that the older blue-on-white plates are still in use.  Posted 6/15.

While I don't catalog plates on this website that don't reflect current use plates, with the exception of a page dedicated to GOVERNOR, SPECIAL EVENT and OFFICIAL FRONT plates, I do occasionally post something unique.  He is an inversion error plate on the '71 Bicentennial base.  This image was provided by Norm Lipponcott.  Posted 6/15.

The plate on the far left (PA PL8S) was (and is) my plate and reflects the name of this website, the other PL8S-PA was spotted at a recent ALPCA event.  They are both considered PASSENGER VANITY plates.  Posted 6/13.

Here's one you haven't seen before — WCU-PA  CAMPUS USE.  West Chester University has decided to begin a registration program for their university-owned vehicles that are used only on-campus and not used on public roadways.  The plates will be issued by the university itself, and not by PennDOT. These plates will be used only on the small campus vehicles (ATVs, UTVs, tractors, Cushmans, etc.) that are used off road around the campus for identification purposes. Full size vehicles that travel on streets and roads will continue to use Pennsylvania Official Use plates issued by PennDOT.  It is not known if other colleges and universities will follow this new direction.  Note the use of the bar coded validation sticker.  Plates measure 4" by 7" like motorcycle and ATV plates.  Posted 6/8.  Additional text added 6/9.

Spotted a DISABLED VETERAN plate in the DV-24000 series today.  The plate unfortunately was covered by a frame which almost obscured the plate legend.  While it would not have made a good image, this sighting helped establish that the Type 3 plates with PENNSYLVANIA on the top and DISABLED VETERAN on the bottom ended at DV-24999, and Type 4 plates with PENNSYLVANIA on the bottom and DISABLED VETERAN on the top likely started at DV-25000.  Click the link above to see all six type variations.

I still need information or images of Disabled Veteran plates in the DV-18000 to DV-21999 range to lock in the transition from Type 2 to Type 3.

See also SEVERELY DISABLED VETERAN.  Posted 6/6.

Spotted this # 1 TALL CEDARS OF LEBANON plate recently.  Too bad the image is spoiled by an advertising frame.  Posted 6/2.

For many years Pennsylvania has designated HANDICAP / PERSON WITH DISABILITY MOTORCYCLE plates with a

sticker.  I had never seen one of these in spite of 'scoping' thousands of motorcycle plates.  Nick Tsilakis managed to spot the plate shown here and send these images.  To my knowledge this is the first one of these to be documented.  One reason for this elusiveness is the fact that only several hundred of these have been issued.  Presently these plates are being replaced with the new PD motorcycle plate.  Posted 5/30.

Spotted this 'current high' PERSON WITH DISABILITY plate today.  This plate type switched to the visitPA base at the start of the Z suffix; however, a few plates have been reported with a 00000^PD format.  Posted 5/23.

I have been trying for a long time to figure out when TAXI plates switched the bottom tag legend from using a sans serif I to a serif I in the word TAXI.  Thanks to Jay Embee, and the images on the far left and center, that formatting change appears to have occurred at TX-39000.  Jay has been kind enough to send me several images of Taxi plates recently.  For the purposes of this website, I have categorized plates from TX-35000 to TX-38999 to be Type 1, from TX-39000 to TX-45999 to be Type 2, and TX-46000 and beyond to be Type 3.  See Type 2 and Type 3 plates below.  TX-35000 was the starting point for plates on the www base, and TX-46000 was the starting point for plates on the visitPA base (Type 3).  Of course there were Taxi plates prior to the TX-35000 on previous bases.  Prior to 1977, the first year for TAXI plates, BUS plates were used.  Posted 5/23.

WISSAHICKON FIRE COMPANY is the latest in the ever growing list of specialty plates.  Posted 5/23.

Bill Adams provides this image of a currently validated PASSENGER plate.  Note the 08 and 09 stickers.  This plate, which was just recently replaced, had a valid registration card which did concur with the plate number.  Somehow it missed getting replaced way back when.  The answer many have something to do with the purchase of a new vehicle in 2001 and this yellow-on-blue plate being issued rather than a www base plate.  Posted 5/21.

There is nothing special about these images — just a couple of shots of a nice ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE plate taken at a recent bike show.    I will post several Municipal Motorcycle plates in the next few days.  Posted 5/21.

FLOURTOWN FIRE COMPANY joins the ranks of a number Pennsylvania fire companies that have gotten their own specialty plate.  Posted 5/21.

Jay Embee managed to snap this image of the #1 BLUE MOUNTAIN JEEP ALLIANCE plate.  Posted 5/14.

WEST VIRGINIA (UNIVERSITY) ALUMNI gives their plate a fresh look.  Posted 5/14.

?    There have been two posting on the Yahoo Plate List recently from contributors who reported that they have seen Pennsylvania plates with an NX prefix followed by 5 numbers on the www base.  One reported seeing the plate on a U-Haul truck, but neither was able to provid plate legend information.  I have no record of any such plate and neither does the ALPCA archives.  Can anyone shed any light on this plate type?  Posted 5/4.

Another PERSON WITH DISABILITY MOTORCYCLE plate image.  Unfortunately neither one shows the plate without a frame and other assorted adornments.  As stated on the previous post, the PD and wheelchair symbol which are flat screened are not part of the registration number.  The embossed P is part of the number but is a static, non-advancing character.  Therefore the plate sequence will be P00A to P99A, then P00B to P99B, etc. to P99Z.  That would make the P23A plate the 23^rd or 24^th to be produced.  These are relatively new plates having been released on 12/21/07.  They replace plates with HP decals which I have never seen.  Posted 5/4.

First image of a TRANSPORTER plate on the visitPA base, provided by Jim Moini.  Posted 5/3.

Jim Moini also enhanced the image of this SUPERIOR COURT President Judge plate previously provided by Ned Flynn.  Posted 5/3.

Updated sample image of FRIENDS OF DRAKE WELL, INC. plate provided by Paul Bagnarol.  Posted 5/2.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. switches rides for 2008 and gets a new plate to go along.  This NASCAR N88 plate, starting at 1000, is to differentiate between it and the older Dale Jarrett plate which also used N88, but the serial number on them began with 0100.  The Dale Jarrett plate was issued for the 2004 to 2006 racing seasons.  The new 88 plate also suggests the discontinuation of the NC8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. plate which was issued from 2004 thru 2007.  Posted 5/2.

Ned Flynn sent me some photos of this very unusual SUPERIOR COURT President Judge plate.  It appears that the photo was taken in an area with limited light which made it difficult to enhance the image.  Anyway, great find and thanks Ned.  The link above will take you to the section with another Superior Court plate image also from Ned.  Posted 4/29.

UNION FIRE COMPANY NO. 1 has a new specialty plate with a nice colorful logo.  Posted 4/29.

Recently spotted an EMERGENCY VEHICLE plate on eBay with EV-23894 and with the tag line pluralized as EMERGENCY VEHICLES.  There was a run of several thousand of these before it got changed back.  Previously I listed the starting point for the plural plate legend series as beginning at EV-24000, this finding suggests that this change started in the 23000 series. 

These white on red plates were supposed to have been replaced with the newer visitPA style, however, a number of these are still in use especially those around the EV-30000 point but prior to the changeover.  Posted 4/20.

FRIENDS OF DRAKE WELL, INC. announces a new plate to support the Drake Well Museum.  Posted 4/20.

The plate on the far left is my current plate.  It's a low number PASSENGER VANITY.  I had the number several years ago on the www base (near left) and just had it reissued on the visitPA base.  Posted 4/13.

AFSCME COUNCIL 13 announces a new plate.  The near left image was provided by Craig Wanner.  Posted 4/13.

Updated image of a 'Type 4' SCHOOL VEHICLE plate.  This plate type is seen on school vans but not buses.  Posted 4/10.

Still another new prototype.  This one from the ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS.  Posted 4/10.

I had an opportunity to photograph this beautiful 1919 GOVERNOR plate thanks to Ned Flynn.  Posted 4/8.

Prototype image of new MALVERN FIRE COMPANY plate.  Posted 4/8.

First image of a PENN ALUMNI (University of Pennsylvania) plate.  This nice photo was provided by Ned Flynn.  Posted 4/5.

Prototype image of new OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC. specialty plate.  This plate type begins at 10000 since Oakmont Fire Company uses the same O/F suffix but has the number block beginning with 00000.  Posted 4/3.

This POW sample image was provided by Paulie Bagnarol.  My section on POW plates shows four variations of samples.  This image represents a fifth variation.  Paul relays that the blue border and state name and slogan have been rolled over with blue color, and underneath is red, the blue over the red, gives it a purplish tone. This plate also has two sticker wells at the top.  Posted 3/26.

Prototype image of new specialty plate from HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY.  Also moved this plate type from the Pending/Proposed group.  Posted 3/26.

This GOVERNOR and LT. GOVERNOR plate image on the '77 base were provided by Eric Conner.  Notice the Lt. Governor's plate has an '83 validation sticker.  Eric also points out that no “Governor” or #1 plates with the later bases (Friend, Keystone, Internet) have surfaced. It is believed that Governor Thornburgh (1979-1987) was the last governor to use the #1 license plate. Governors Ridge (1995-2001), Schweiker (2001-2003), and Rendell (2003-present) did not or do not use #1 tags.  Posted 3/23.

Prototype image of new specialty plate from the READING BUCCANEERS, INC.  Posted 3/22.

Image of 1971 GOVERNOR'S palte supplied by Eric Conner.  Posted 3/21.

Prototype image of new specialty plate from POINT PARK UNIVERSITY.  Organizations are generally assigned blocks of 10,000 numbers, therefore these plates start at 10000^P/_P since Planned Parenthood of PA is using 00000^P/_P.  Posted 3/20.

Update the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN sample plate with a better image.  This sample plate type is one of the toughest to find.  Posted 3/18.

This hot PENN STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION plate was apparently secreted off the production floor at the big house.  It found it's way onto eBay only to be quickly pulled.  This is an all flat plate as the embossed serial numbers have yet to be applied.  Posted 3/18.

1962 GOVERNORS' CONFERENCE.  The plate on the right was supplied by Eric Conner.  Based on information provided by Eric, it is believed that the left plate type was provided to governors attending the conference with their name on it.  (Eric has seen Governor Lawrence's plate.)  The right plate was available to other non-governors attending the event.  These plate were likely intended for front use only since they do not have a serial number.  Posted 3/18.

1988 NORTHEAST GOVERNORS' CONFERENCE.  For this event the plates had serial numbers and would be considered a true special event plate which could be used in place of a standard rear plate for a limited period of time.  Posted 3/18.

This is an early SNOWMOBILE registration sticker, unknown vintage.  Unknown if there was an accompanying validations sticker. 

I have reorganized the SNOWMOBILE section somewhat.  I need several sticker images to make the group complete.  In addition, I welcome information from someone who knows about the snowmobile registration sticker formatting, etc.  Posted 3/9.

This an image of a 2001 SNOWMOBILE Validation Sticker featuring a coating of 2008 slush.  Posted 3/9.

This an image of a 2004 SNOWMOBILE Validation Sticker and Registration Sticker.  Posted 3/9.

This image is of a 2005 SNOWMOBILE Registration Sticker and Validation Sticker.  Posted 3/9. 

And finally a 2008 SNOWMOBILE Registration Sticker and Validation Sticker.  Interestingly all four (4) of the 2001, '04, '05 and '08 stickers were seen recently pulled up to a pizza restaurant during a snowstorm.  Apparently the year of your registration really doesn't matter that much.  Posted 3/9.

Slowly I'm adding more nice images of these historic GOVERNOR'S plates.  The image are from fellow ALPCA member Eric Conner.  Posted 3/8.

Several more GOVERNOR'S plate images from Eric Conner.  These 1944, 1949 and 1952 plates use a format without numbers.  Posted 3/2.

I spotted a plate recently that helped to narrow down the transition point from the old (Type 4) to the newer visit PA base (Type 5) EMERGENCY VEHICLE plate.  The plate was EV-30309 and was on the visitPA base.  The plate on the far left is the documented high on the white-on-red base.  Interesting to note also is the fact that while ostensibly all the older EV plates were replaced, in reality a number of the older type plates are still in use with current validation stickers.  Most of those still in use appear to be those that were issued shortly before the changeover, such as the plate on the far left.  If this weren't confusing enough, there is also an EV-50000 series of plates (Type 7).  The difference between the Type 6 and Type 7 plates, aside from the number series, is that plates in the 30000 range are not fee exempt, while plates in the 50000 range are fee exempt.  Posted 2/29.

This is not an official plate, or at least no one issued by PennDOT.  It was in use on the front of a Philadelphia School Police vehicle.  Interesting plate nonetheless.  Sorry 'bout the image quality.  Posted 2/29.

Information received from Bruce Bufalini is that SALVAGE YARD (WL) plates have now made the changeover to the visitPA base.  The switch likely occurred at WL-23000 as he spotted WL-23007 on the new base.  No image available.  Posted 2/23.

First image of a POTTER COUNTY VISITOR ASSOCIATION plate.  Unfortunately the plate frame completely covers up the plate legend.  Not clear why someone would go to the effort of buying such a plate and then cover up its name.  Posted 2/23.

This trio of GOVERNOR plates from 1930, 1932 and 1936 are the first in a series of GOVERNOR plate images provided by fellow ALPCAn Eric Conner.  Click any of the text links to read more about these plates.  Posted 2/23.

This 2007 INAUGURAL plate image was provided by Eric Conner.  Posted 2/23. 

These 1987 INAUGURAL and 1991 INAUGURAL plate images were provided by Eric Conner. 

Coming soon will be a new section on GOVERNOR plates courtesy of Eric.  Posted 2/17.

Received information from Nick Tsilakis which helps to establish (or at least narrow down) the changeover point from Type 1 to Type 2 SCHOOL BUS plate.  Plates SC-00000 to possibly SC-05499 or more likely SC-05999 are Type 1 and use the upper tag line font, while later plates use the lower font.  The difference is subtle.  Click the image to the left to see a larger picture.  From SC-47000 to the current high plates are on the visitPA base.  These are Type 3 plates.  Posted 2/15.

Updated image of PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART plate.  Posted 2/12.

This 1983 INAUGURAL plate image was provided by Eric Conner.  This is a pewter plate.  Posted 2/12.

This 1975 INAUGURAL plate image was provided by Eric Conner.  Posted 2/8.

This 1971 INAUGURAL plate image was provided by Eric Conner.  Posted 2/6.

It's been quite a while since I've added pictures to the SPECIAL EVENT plates page, but Eric Conner has been kind enough to send me quite a few images of Inaugural and Governor's plates, including this 1967 INAUGURATION plate.  I will be adding them gradually.

In 1963 and 1967 the license plates were issued to the individual car dealers who had cars in the inaugural parades of those years. The dealerships were not required to return the tags after the parade.  Posted 2/5.

Image on far left is a newer UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OFFICIAL plate.  The image on the near left is an older version.  (This image was provided by Bruce Bufalini.)  Note the plate legend on the new type uses a 'Small caps' font while the earlier plate uses a 'Title Case' format. On my Image Gallery 1, I refer to them as Type 2 and Type 1. This is one of the few type of PA plates issued in pairs.  Posted 2/3.

Image on far left is an early PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY - OFFICIAL plate which is still in use.  It has two sticker wells, one in each upper corner, whereas the newer plate has only one sticker well in the lower left corner.  UPDATE, 2/5: Plate A15-44P has the two sticker wells, while plate A20-96P is of the latter variation.  On my Image Gallery page I refer to them as Type 1 and Type 2.  This is one of the few type of PA plates issued in pairs.  Posted 2/3.

UPDATE:  In further discussions with Eric he indicates that this plate has been around for a few years but originally did not have the Coat of Arms on the plate.  Posted 2/3.

UPDATE:  Bruce Bufalini points out that the characters are actually 7 and the letter O.  (In PA, tag font numbers are larger than letters.)  I agree with his assessment.  Posted 2/1.

We have seen this plate before, but this time Eric Conner has provided a much better image.  It's on a Mercedes 330.  It was suggested to me by someone who should know that it could belong to a Member of Congress, but since this vehicle is driven by a college student that may not be the case.  In any case, until we know more I have moved it to the STATE OFFICIALS and DIGNITARIES group.  Posted 1/31.

UPDATE:  Today I spotted a REPAIR TOWING plate in the 47000 range with the wider tag legend.  This suggest that the plate range was from RT-47000 to RT-48999.  Posted 1/30.

Updated image of Type 2 REPAIR TOWING plate.  The Type 2 run appears to be only 1000 plates from RT-48000 to RT-48999.  The Type 1 plate uses a narrower tag line and the Type 3 is on the visitPA base.  Click this REPAIR TOWING link to see all three variations.  Posted 1/28.

This image is of the first LIMOUSINE plate I've seen in the 26000 series, and the highest I've seen.  All others seen are in the 20000 to the high 25000s.  The vehicle still had the temp document in the rear window but it was wearing a validation sticker.  So it suggests that the plate is fairly new, however, the plate highs page lists the high as being in the 28000 series.  Posted 1/27.

First image of a revamped DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY plate on the visitPA base.  Posted 1/24.

More on the new PERSON WITH DISABILITY MOTORCYCLE plate.  The PD and wheelchair symbol which are flat screened are not part of the registration number.  The embossed P is part of the number but is a static, non-advancing character.  Therefore the plate sequence will be P00A to P99A, then P00B to P99B, etc. to P99Z.  That would make the P52B plate the 152^nd to be produced.  Posted 1/24.

Spotted this unusual looking LIMOUSINE wearing a BUS license plate.  It's made to look like a police vehicle with light bar, two-tone paint, spotlight and 911 stickers.  The bus plate is required when the capacity of the limo exceeds nine passengers, exclusive of the driver.  This bus plate (BA-62016) is also the current high for PA.  Posted 1/17.

UPDATE to postings of 1/12 & 1/13 — additional information on this PERSON WITH DISABILITY MOTORCYCLE plate received from Nick Tsilakis, the entire plate is flat screened, except the P52B which is embossed.  Posted 1/14.

First image of a CETRONIA AMBULANCE CORPS plate.  The '1' numeric prefix is because this organization has the 10000 number block.  The 00000 number block is assigned to the Community Academy of Philadelphia.  Posted 1/13.

Nick Tsilakis provides this first glimpse of a PERSON WITH DISABILITY MOTORCYCLE plate.  He snapped this with his camera phone.  The image gives some indication of the plate formatting.  The alpha-numeric sequence seems a bit strange though.  There were only about 350 motorcycles with the HP stickers, so I can't imagine that the sequence began at A00A.  Possibly the P (after PD) is a static character, making this the 152nd plate produced.  That would seem to make more sense.  The other unusual feature is spelling out the word motorcycle completely.  Regular cycle plates just have MC at the bottom.  In addition, it can't be determined how much of this plate is flat and how much is embossed.  I feel sure the P52B is embossed, but less certain about the PD & symbol and the word MOTORCYCLE.    Posted 1/12 & 1/13.

Updated image of (Type 5) SAVE WILD ANIMALS - TIGER plate.  This plate is an indication that this plate type is nearing the end of the series, as the Z after the stacked ^P/_Z prefix is the last character to advance.  When this series is exhausted I understand that there will be a changeover to the visitPA base.  Posted 1/11.

Have now identified 3 type variations on these TEMPORARY INTRANSIT (is intransit a real word?) cardboard plates.  I know there are earlier variations, but this website generally tracks plates currently in use or those in use since the 1999-2000 re-plating.  The image on the far left (now Type 1) was provided by Bruce Bufalini.  It uses what appears to be the state seal as a watermark.  The center image, Type 2, uses the Commonwealth coat of arms, and the right plate (Type 3) uses a PennDOT logo as a watermark.  Posted 1/7.

Information received from Nick Tsilakis: He spotted a “Type 6” EMERGENCY VEHICLE plate EV-31975, on the visitPA base, which furthers the “high” for the 30000 series.  Posted 1/7.

I'm sure to most this piece of minutia has little if any meaning, but if anyone happens to look me up in the ALPCA Roster, or has me listed by my ALPCA number, I am now using membership number 4376 in place of 9271.  4376 was my membership number when I originally belonged to ALPCA back in the 80s.  Posted 1/1/08.

This 7-01 PA0000 VALIDATION STICKER image was sent to me by Clayton Moore.  Clayton also asked if I had ever seen one of the PA0000 stickers with such a recent date.  I have not.  I know that years ago a vehicle registered after the base plate was issued, received a plate with a PA0000 sticker and the following year a regular sticker with a serial number on it was issued; however, I thought this practice had been discontinued.  Posted 12/31.

Update — this sticker was on a yellow-on-blue base truck plate.  It was under an 02 sticker.  This suggests that PA was still using the PA0000 stickers at least up to that point.  Posted 1/1/08.