2007 news and postings older than 30 days

Fellow ALPCA member Brandon E. McDade shares the following information which was included in a PennDOT newsletter: The new P/D MOTORCYCLE plates contains four numbers and/or letters following the PD prefix.  This plate will replace motorcycle license plates which display a person with disabilities decal.  On December 21st, PennDOT began replacing motorcycle license plates displaying the decal, with this new plate.  There are fewer than 400 of these decal plates in use.  Vanity and veteran motorcycle plates that currently display a P/D decal will continue unchanged.  Any person wanting to replace their current motorcycle license plate with a person with disabilities license plate may do so by using Form MV-145.  Posted 12/30.

DISABLED VETERAN plate trivia: Spotted a plate image which helps narrow the point when this plate type (TYPE 2) switched from 2 sticker wells in the upper left and right corners to a single sticker well (TYPE 3) in the lower left.  Click the above link to see more detail.  Much information is still needed about this plate type, so if anyone has any PA DISABLED VET plates, and information would be greatly appreciated.  Posted 12/30.

The center image, spotted on 12/27, represents a type variation not previously documented.  FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE plates have been updated to the flat screened logo and flat stacked prefix (right image), but the center plate indicates that there was a short run of plates on the visitPA base but with the www style embossed logo and FOP tagline.  The last plate, ^F/_P14881, has made the full transition.  A similar 3-step transition has also been seen in BLUE LODGE plates.  Posted 12/28.

Updated WEST POINT ALUMNI plate image.  Note that West Point is one of only a handful of plates that have a 4-digit number (normally 5-digit) after a two letter prefix.  Posted 12/24.

Here's an interesting photo array of KEYSTONE STATE CORVETTE CLUB plates provided by Greg Gervasio.  The far left if the first plate off the line, the center image is two plates later, and the near left is a sample plate.  As you may know PA no longer sells sample plates but produces a very limited number for the organization.  Posted 12/23.

These are cardboard TEMPORARY INTRANSIT plates.  The one on the far left was spotted today.  Note that the plates use different watermarks.  The newer plate uses the PennDOT logo as a watermark while the other uses the Commonwealth coat of arms.  Posted 12/23.

First image of a NORWIN BAND AIDES plate.  Image was provided by Bruce Bufalini.  Posted 12/23.

Added this rendition of a CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY SCHOOL prototype as a new Special Organization / Specialty plate.  The 10000 starting point with this new type is because Civil Air Patrol is using the 00000^C/_P Posted 12/6.

Obtained a better prototype image of the PERSON WITH DISABILITY MOTORCYCLE plate.  This larger image was taken at the plate unveiling ceremony.  Posted 11/28.

Updated the HG prefix MOTOR HOME image with this early www base plate.  These plates have a history as to how the HG prefix evolved.  The first of these plates was issued in 1977 with the plate legend House Car, thus the prefix HC, on a blue-on-yellow base.  When the original series reached HC-99999, it switched to a yellow-on-blue base and still used the tag line House Car but now with the prefix HD.  The legend House Car was retained at least as far as the HD-40000 series but by the time the series reached HD-46000 the name had been changed to the now more familiar Motor Home.  When the HD series was exhausted it jumped ahead to HF, skipping the HE series which is reserved for the Hearing Impaired plate series.  It is unknown where the HF ended, but by the time PA began re-plating it was at least the HF-53000 series.  The HG series was on the www base and that series eventually ran out as well.  The arrival of the current HH plates signaled the switch to the visitPA base.  If anyone wants to fill in any of the missing details, I will gladly post it.  Posted 11/28.

These plate pictures were originally posted back in October, being provided by Adam Heaps.  In the meantime I have learned that PA formats plates with a coat of arms on each side of the number for members of the U.S. CONGRESS.  This unusual plate makes me wonder how many other types are out there which are unknown to the plate hobby world and not part of the ALPCA Archives.  Posted 11/27.

This is another seemingly oddball DISABLED VETERAN plate since it is a part of only a 1000 plate run (^D/_V28000 to ^D/_V28999) which featured the stacked prefix.  All other Disabled Veteran plates have the DV prefix in line.  Of course SEVERELY DISABLED VETERAN plates feature a stacked prefix, but they also have the handicap symbol.  Posted 11/26.

This is another example of an unknown group of DISABLED VETERAN plates or a SEVERELY DISABLED VETERAN plates.  See posting of 11/19 below.  While this one is not current it is a better image and offers some indication of age.  I recently acquired this plate since it offered additional authentication of this seemingly out-of-sequence plate run.  I posted a question to the License Plate Listserv and also asked several PA plate collectors about this run of plates and so far no one has been able to explain it.  Posted 11/26. 

This plate is a bit of a mystery.  The plate is obviously old, yet the number series is way too high for DISABLED VETERAN which is currently in the DV-33000 series.  It does not seem to correspond to any known Disabled Veteran number series.  My first guess is that it is an early issue of SEVERELY DISABLED VETERAN.  I have seen another like it (DV-41983 which had 86 & 87 stickers) so I don't think it's an error plate.  I have documentation that in 1985 there were 3 different fees for DV plates depending on the level and type of disability, so this could be a plate issued under the second tier.  To my knowledge PA never re-plated the Disabled Vet series.  Anyone know for sure what this plate is?  And if it can be identified, is it still current?  Posted 11/19.

First image and first plate of the FFA ASSOCIATION.  Posted 11/19.

A new motorcycle plate is on the horizon.  This prototype PERSON WITH DISABILITY plate is being unveiled to replace the person with disability stickers presently in use.  There is also a Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Decal.  It is unknown if a plate will also be available for this category.  Posted 11/15.

Bill Stevens reports seeing TRANSPORTER plate DT-09627 on the visitPA base, while right in front of it was plate DT-09276 still on the www base.  No photo available.  This suggests the changeover likely occurred at DT-09500.  Posted 11/14.

First image of an 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION ASSN plate.  Picture was provided by Bruce Bufalini and posted 11/13.  Click link to visit Bruce's website.

No sooner said than done!  Yesterday I posted information (see posting below) on a discovery that Eric Butler had made about the plate legend on REPAIR TOWING plates in the RT-48000 series.  Today I came across one and after a 10 minute discussion with the owner, got approval to photograph it.  It's not the best image but it does show the differences in the plate legend between the two plates on the www base.  Plates beginning with the 49000 series are on the visitPA base.  Posted 11/13.

Eric Butler reports seeing a REPAIR TOWING plate in the RT-48000 (RT-48101) series which had the wider plate legend similar to that used on the visitPA base which started at RT-49000.  This suggests another type variation.  No image available yet.  Posted 11/13.

With only slightly more than 1000 of these APPORTIONED BUS plates issued since PA began re-plating in 1999, I thought this over-1000 plate was worth showing.  This is also the current high on this series.  Plate image was provided by Jim McDevitt.  Posted 11/11.

PLATE HISTORY: To my knowledge this plate type was first issued in 1983 on the blue-on-yellow base just as Apportioned Truck plates were.  At that time they used a BL prefix.  Around 1993 the plates switched to the yellow-on-blue base but continued with the BL prefix, however, the previous issues was not replaced until the complete re-plating with the www plates with the BN prefix.  There never was a BM prefix.  I am looking for actual plates from the first or second issue, or any photographs. 

First image of a TAXI plate on the (Type 3) visitPA base.  This is also the current high.  As with most other plates that have been switched to the visitPA base, the TAXI plate also uses the larger keystone separator.

DATA NEEDED: I'm still trying to determine at what point TAXI plates changed from a sans serif I in TAXI (Type 1) to the use of a serif I (Type 2).  It seems likely that the change took place at either TX-38000 or TX-39000.  The TX-39000 series uses a serif I but I have been unable to spot a plate in the TX-38000 range.  Any help on this would be appreciated.  Posted 11/8.

Added this LEHIGH UNIVERSITY ALUMNI (Type 2) sample image.  These special organization and specialty sample plates on the visitPA base are unique because PennDOT no longer markets sample plates, but they do produce a very limited number for the organization.  Posted 11/6.

Updated the Type 4 image of a SCHOOL VEHICLE plate.  This is also the current high on this type.  Posted 11/1.

Added this rendition of a RELIANCE HOOK AND LADDER CO. 1 prototype as a new Special Organization / Specialty plate.  Posted 11/1.

Added this rendition of a CETRONIA AMBULANCE CORPS prototype as a new Special Organization / Specialty plate.  Posted 10/31.

First image of a 32° MASONIC LEARNING CENTERS FOR CHILDREN plate.  Posted 10/31.

Added this rendition of a FRIENDS OF VALLEY FORGE PARK prototype as a new Special Organization / Specialty plate.  Posted 10/29.

I see on the Pennsylvania Plate Highs page that the TAXI plate has made the switch to the visitPA base.  It appears that the changeover took place at TX-46000.  Plates in the upper TX-45000 range were still on the www base.  No image available yet. 

I'm still in need of information on the tag line changeover point (TX-38000 or TX-39000?) on earlier www base TAXI plates.  Early plates used a sans serif I, while later plates used a serif I.  Click link for more details.  Posted 10/26.

Moved KEYSTONE STATE CORVETTE CLUB from Pending / Proposed to Special Organization / Specialty Plates section 10/25.

Added this CONCORDVILLE FIRE AND PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION prototype image as a new Special Organization / Specialty Plate type.  Posted 10/25.

Updated image of THE MARIO LEMIEUX FOUNDATION plate.  Image provided by Bill Jesse and posted 10/23.

I received information from Nick Tsilakis today that he spotted an 'interim' FIRE FIGHTER plate.  It was previously believed that the plate changeover from the WWW base to the visitPA base took place at FF36000.  (Plate FF35991 is on the www base, while plate FF36109 is on the visitPA base.)    Along with this changeover, the visitPA plates use the narrow tag line and small Maltese cross that had only been seen on sample plates and FIRE FIGHTER VANITIES.  Now Nick has spotted a plate on the www base with narrow tag line and small Maltese cross — FF36016.  This suggests that these was a short run of plates with features from both types.  Eric Butler also reported seeing plates in the low 36000 series on the www base.  I will add this as Type 2, and change the previous Type 2 to Type 3.  Image needed.  Posted 10/23.

Updated image of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM plate.  Image furnished by Nick Tsilakis and posted on 10/18.

This first image of a (Type 4) SCHOOL VEHICLE plate was also provided by Nick Tsilakis.  The earliest of these plates on the www base used a narrow tag line (Type 1); then they switched to a wide tag line (Type 2); the next change was to the visitPA base with a wide tag line (Type 3), and finally to this visitPA version with a narrow legend again.  Note: The use of type numbers is my own designation to help keep track of formatting variations.  Posted 10/18.

According to PennDOT: This plate is issued to vehicles designed to carry no more than ten passengers, including the driver, and used only for the transportation of school students while registered by or under contract with a school district, private or parochial school. This also includes vehicles having chartered, group and party rights under the PUC and used for the transportation of school children to or from public, private or parochial school activities. This vehicle must be renewed annually. The plate is identified by the letters “SV” plus five digits and the words “School Vehicle” at the bottom. This plate may not be used on 11-15 passenger vehicles used to transport school children unless the vehicle was titled and registered as a bus prior to March 1, 1993.

This unusual Pennsylvania plate was provided by an Adam Heaps.  I am guessing that it may be a ranking state official or someone with a low numbered vanity plate who added a 'hat badge coat of arms' to each side of the number.  Commonwealth Court and Superior Court plates use similar single hat badges, but this does not appear to be a judicial plate.  I believe the plate says visitPA.com along the bottom.  I will attempt to learn more about this plate, and if successful I will post it.  Posted 10/17.

While this TELEPHONE PIONEERS - AMERICA plate may be expired, it was still in use during the period represented by this website.  Image was provided by Bruce Sakson.  Posted 10/17.

First image of an actual SUPPORT OUR TROOPS plate.  Image provided by Nick Tsilakis.  Posted 10/14/07.

Nick also spotted a SCHOOL VEHICLE plate with the number SV17845.  It was previously known that the changeover to the visitPA base likely took place at SV17500 which used a wide tagline (Type 3).  Following this It was established that a later run of plates was using a narrow tagline (Type 4).  Tag SV17767 uses a wide tagline and tag 17845 uses a narrow one.   This suggests that the Type 3 run was possibly from SV17500 to SV17799.  No picture available of the Type 4 plate.  Posted 10/14.

Added this image of a prototype of a special organization plate for HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY.  I've had this plate type listed in the Pending / Proposed section for a long time.  The image suggests they they are moving forward with the plate. Information provided by Paulie Bagnarol.  Posted 10/14.

Replaced older non-enlargeable image of this EDINBORO UNIVERSITY sample plate.

Updated image of this new style LEHIGH UNIVERSITY ALUMNI plate.  Posted 10/12.

Added this WESTMINSTER COLLEGE prototype/graphic depiction.  This is not a new type, just an additional image.  Posted 10/12.

Added this ALBRIGHT COLLEGE prototype/graphic depiction.  This is not a new type, just an improved image.  Posted 10/12.

Updated image of a FARM TRUCK plate.  This truck's validation sticker is expired by a couple days, but then who issues tickets in a soybean field.  Image posted 10/2.

This is the first image of a MOPED (MP) plate on the visitPA base.  I believe the changeover took place at BN000 since the BM series (BM275) is still on the www base.  Posted 9/21.

First image of a PA SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.  Nice plate, unfortunately the image quality isn't.  Posted 9/21.

Updated image of a TRANSPORTER plate.  This is believed to be the series high.  I managed to snap this image thru my windshield at a stop light with a 6X digital zoom.  The vehicle involved was empty but appeared to have been hauling sections of houses to a construction site.  Posted 9/15.

Went to Lansdale Bike Nite yesterday.  Thousands of bikes, biker chicks, and plates.  Walked for 3 hours and did not see everything.  There were several dozen police motorcycles all lined up, mainly Municipal but several State Police bikes.  PSP uses standard issue motorcycle plates.  Lots of antique motorcycle plates — I spotted a new high of LK8.  Saw only one Classic Motorcycle plate (C/L0364), one Moped plate (BM275), and still no Moped Dealer and no Collectible Motorcycle plates.  There are supposedly less than 70 Collectible Motorcycle plates registered.  See postings below.  Fun event, weather too hot and humid.  Posted 9/9.

Updated image of  MUNICIPAL MOTORCYCLE plate on far left.  This was the last plate produced in the MG000 format.  The next series, on the near left, follows the full size MUNICIPAL plates by using an alpha suffix.  The plate pictured was the 5th plate produced in this new series which began at MG00A.  This plate is also the current high.  Posted 9/9.

Added an additional VETERAN MOTORCYCLE plate.  This is believed to be the current high in this type.  Posted 9/9.

This plate seems a bit unusual in the formatting of the number .  It could just be a MOTORCYCLE VANITY plate.  That's how I am categorizing it for now, but it almost looks like the start of a new number series.  What also looks a bit strange is the first and second 0s don't quite look the same.  Could just be die variations.  There is also a small space between them.  From what I can determine, the current standard MOTORCYCLE plate use the same size dies for the letters and numbers, a departure from the norm for PA.  Assuming this to be the case, differentiating between a 0 (zero), , and the letter O would be a challenge.  The letter O would only be used on a vanity plate.  In my MOTORCYCLE VANITY plate section I have several images with what I believe to be letter Os.  Posted 9/9.

Greg Gervasio provides this updated image of a KEYSTONE STATE CORVETTE CLUB plate.  This is now the official design received back from Pennsylvania Correctional Industries on this pending plate.  The plate coding has also changed from 20000^C/_C to 30000^C/_C since the former was already in use by another plate type.  Posted 9/5.

Spotted this previous issue CIRCUS-CARNIVAL TRUCK plate in use at the Allentown Fair, with a 9/07 validation sticker.  Not sure what the deal is with the last digit.  Posted 8/31.

Added UMOJA AFRICAN ARTS COMPANY as new specialty plate.  Posted 8/31.

Note the tag legend on the far left sample plate reads AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA, while the near left plate says AUTISM AWARENESS.  All of the plates on the street (to my knowledge) use the AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA legend, so apparently there was a design change after the first sample was produced.  The AUTISM AWARENESS sample image is courtesy of Pauli Bagnarol.  Posted 8/30.

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER added as new specialty plate.  Posted 8/30.

This older type EMERGENCY VEHICLE plate is still in use with an 07 sticker.  This is also the observed high on this pre-changeover plate type.  What is not known is will this plate continue to be a valid plate while most lower number plates have been replaced?  At what point did the white on red plates cease production and the new red on white EV plates on the visitPA base start up?  There are plates on the visitPA base as low as or lower than EV-30359.  There is also an EV-50000 series of these plates being issued concurrently.  Read more about these EMERGENCY VEHICLE plates.  Posted 8/23.

APPORTIONED (TRUCK) plates are now on visitPA base.  The changeover point appears to be at AF-50000.  The dash separator has been replaced with the keystone which is consistent with other non-passenger types that have made the changeover.  There is also an APPORTIONED BUS plate, which because of low numbers, is not likely to ever see the visitPA base.  Posted 8/22.

While the posting of old plate images is not the usual theme of this website, this plate on an old tractor got my attention, partially because plates are unusual on farm tractors, and also because I am an old tractor buff.  (I have a 51 Farmall Super A sitting in my garage with a 51 tractor plate.)  Anyway, I believe this image is a 77 base.  The tractor looked like something homemade.  Posted 8/19.

This image is an early (Type 1) EX-PRISONER OF WAR plate with a current validation sticker.  This earliest series, with the POW-000 format, are seldom seen on the road today.  POW plates began in 1982 and are still being issued today with only minor changes.  I do believe that there was a series of these plates with PRISONER OF WAR on top, and PENNSYLVANIA on the bottom, for which I have no information.  If anyone does have information or an image, it would be appreciated.  Posted 8/19.

First image of NASCAR 19 Jeremy Mayfield, courtesy of Bruce Bufalini.  This plate was available for the 2004, 2005 and 2006 racing seasons.  It is no longer issued but is still a valid plate.  Posted 8/18.

Added image of MOTORCYCLE VANITY plate on visitPA base.  Posted 8/17.

This low numbered SCHOOL BUS plate image was provided by Clayton Moore.  The plate has a permanent validation sticker.  I know there are several PA plate collectors out there who know stickers.  Would this plate have been used on a municipally owned school bus?   Posted 8/14. UPDATE — Eric Butler indicates that the permanent sticker was used on a school district owned bus.  Posted 8/15.

In looking thru my CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE plate images, I noticed that the left plate in the 0100 series uses a narrower font for the PENNA legend than later plates.  I have images in the 0200, 0300 and 0400 series and only the 0100 series uses the narrower font.  Not sure what the starting point was for this type since I have never seen one of these below 0100.  Also noteworthy on these plates is the use of the state outline.  This has been discontinued on full size plates for many years but is retained on several cycle types including ANTIQUE, COLLECTIBLE and MUNICIPAL.  Posted 8/13.

Nick Tsilakis sent this visitPA base AMATEUR RADIO plate image with a -2 suffix.  The -2 indicates that the owner has registered a second vehicle using the same call sign.  I have heard of a -3 plate but never saw one except for a photo.  Posted 8/11.

What's up with this?  Back in May, it appeared that the 'Y' suffix series of the PERSON WITH DISABILITY plates (PD0000Y) was about to be exhausted, far left example.  This series was still on the www base.  Then Nick Tsilakis sent an image of the revised PD plate, now on the visitPA base with the wheelchair and PD in the reversed position.  It appeared that the 'Z' series plates were skipped.  See middle image.  The last two days I spotted 'Z' suffix plates on the visitPA base.  This plate, that was thought not to exist, does in fact exist.  But this raises more questions than answers.  Why would two new versions of the same plate type be out there?  There is no way the 'Z' series was exhausted in several months, even if it did come out a while ago.  It takes about ten months to go entirely through one letter series.  Time will likely provide some additional insight into this mystery.  Posted 8/9, updated 8/10.

Spotted a TAXI plate in the TX-39000 series with a sans serif I.  This further narrows the font changeover point which now is likely to have occurred at TX-38000 or TX-39000.  Posted 8/9.

Added PHILADELPHIA FOLKSONG SOCIETY as new Special Organization plate.  Posted 8/9.

Updated image of 3-digit ANTIQUE HISTORIC CAR plate.  Posted 8/7.

Added WILLOW GROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY as new Special Organization plate.  Posted 8/7.

Received this PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER image from Eric Butler.  This plate is still being issued on the www base and is the current high number.  It is only the 12th plate of this type issued since 2/06; however, I did learn that the starting point for this type was PP00.  Posted 8/5.

First image of SECOND ALARMERS RESCUE SQUAD.  Posted 8/5.

The Greater Pittsburgh Council of the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA announces a new specialty plate.  It appears like you must be a BSA member, not necessarily a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Council.  Posted 8/5.

This is an example of a plate used to indicate that the vehicle has a Farm Vehicle Registration Exemption or Farm Permit.  Pennsylvania allows a registration exemption for certain farm trucks with specific restrictions.  Trucks with the more common FARM TRUCK registrations have fewer restrictions.  Obviously the above plate is not a PennDOT issued plate, nor is it required, but it does reduce being pulled over for having no registration plate.  Vehicles using one of these made-up Farm Permit plates will have a Registration Exemption sticker near the driver's door.  Posted 8/3.

Updated image of OFFICIAL USE plate.  This plate is also close to the current posted high for this type.  Official Use plates are used on Commonwealth Owned vehicles.  Some, but not all, are issued in pairs.  Passenger vehicles generally get 2 plates while commercial types generally receive only one.  These plates are also used on marked State Police vehicles.  Posted 8/3.

Concerning this website, I have split the Archives page in to Archives 2006 and Archives 2007 since the page was getting too long.  Items from this page go to the archives after 30 days.  Posted 8/2.

This 2007 US OPEN GOLF temporary plate was recently auctioned.  Sorry for the image but it was wearing a frame which I cropped out.  The plate is cardboard.  A contributor points out that the word TOURNAMENT is taped over.  The plate probably should have read CHAMPIONSHIP instead.  Posted 8/2.

Added plate data to a number of types ANTIQUE, STREET ROD, TAXI, PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER, MUNICIPAL, OFFICIAL USE.  Most of the data pertains to issue dates and numerical starting points.  As always, additions and corrections are welcome.  Posted 7/31.

Added KEYSTONE STATE CORVETTE CLUB as new pending/proposed plate type provided by Greg Gervasio.  This is not a final prototype.  It is likely that the 20000^C/_C plate coding will change since that is already in use by another organization.  Posted 7/28.

Updated image of this Type 5 STATE REPRESENTATIVE plate.  These plates seem more scarce in recent years, possibility due to security concerns, contempt for politicians, etc.   Please note, the use of Type 5 (or other type number) is my arbitrary designation of the plate to distinguish it from other plate format variations.  Posted 7/25.

While looking at some older DISABLED VETERAN plates in my collection, and several images of newer plates, it was apparent that I had not included the changeover of plate design from one with stickers wells on the upper left and right corners, to the now more familiar single well on the lower left.  This addition adds another type variation to the DISABLED VETERAN series, making a total of six.  I still need some data or images to pinpoint a couple of the changeover points.  Posted 7/24.

Spotted this SEVERELY DISABLED VETERAN plate and snapped this not-so-great image.  But more importantly, it establishes the transition point from the Type 1 (PENNSYLVANIA on top and DISABLED VETERAN on bottom) to the Type 2 (DISABLED VETERAN on top and PENNSYLVANIA on bottom).  This plate should not be confused with the DISABLED VETERAN plate which has the same plate legend but is missing the handicap symbol.  Severely Disabled Veteran plates are also in the 80000 series whereas Disabled Veteran plates are under 35000.   Posted 7/23.

Updated image of Type 2 MOTORCYCLE DEALER plate.  Posted 7/22.

Updated image of TRAILER DEALER plate.  Posted.7/22

At least in PA, MOTORCYCLE VANITY plates are not as common as passenger vanities, and motorcycle vanities with 1, 2 or 3 characters are even more unusual.  Posted 7/22.

Added 06 and 08 ATV Validation Stickers.  These are issued by DCNR or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  Posted 7/21.

Updated data on MOTOR HOME Type 1 and Type 2 plates.  Plate spotted today establishes the end point for Type 1 at HG-05999, and the start of Type 2 at HG-06000.  The difference in the two types if the font used for the tag legend.  Posted 7/21.

First image of a NASCAR 43 Bobby Labonte plate.  This plate type was in production for the 2006 racing season only.  There's also a NASCAR 18 Bobby Labonte plate, which was issued during the 2004 and 2005 racing seasons.   Posted 7/16.

Thank you to Steve Ondik for correcting my earlier post.

Replaced the previous image with this much better image of a GOLD STAR FAMILY plate.  This series started at ^G/S_/F0001.  To my knowledge there was no reserve issue and general issue as was done with several other recent issue military plates.  Posted 7/16.

First image of a NASCAR 16 Greg Biffle plate.  This plate type was in production for the 2004, 2005 and 2006 racing seasons, but was discontinued for 2007.  Posted 7/16.

This yellow-on-blue Keystone State PASSENGER VANITY is still in use, sporting an 07 validation sticker.  Image was sent by Bruce Bufalini.  Posted 7/16.

Received information today from Nick Tsilakis that he spotted OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM plate 00096^I/_F.  This seems to confirm that in spite of the apparent start up point of 00100^I/_F, and just like the VETERAN plates, there was a reserve issue on these plate starting at 00001^I/_F.  My guess is that this those who sponsored the legislative bill got to give out the low numbered 'reserve' plates.  This should also apply to OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM plates as well.  Posted 7/11.

A couple of CLASSIC CAR plate items to report.  First, Bruce Bufalini provided this early low number plate image.  Bruce also sent me an image of a 49000 series plate which prompted a correction on the Type 4 ending point and Type 5 starting point.  This also points out that the Type 5 run was only 1000 plates.  Lastly some of the recently issued plates have validation stickers.  Both Bruce and I have confirmed these validated plates.  They are now listed as Type 8.  Thanks for the help Bruce and check out Bruce Bufalini's License Plate and Windshield Sticker Website.  Posted 7/8.

Updated this type variation of SEVERELY DISABLED VETERAN plate — not the greatest image but at least this one has no ugly frame.  Unfortunately this plate has not helped to close the gap as to when the changeover occurred of reversing PENNSYLVANIA at the top and DISABLED VETERAN on the bottom.  Layout information on a plate in the ^D/_V87000 range is still needed to answer this question.  Posted 7/8.

Updated the most current style of DISABLED VETERAN plates.  This number will also be submitted as the current high, but I'm sure there are higher plates in use.  Also five (5) type variations of this plate have been identified, not to be confused with SEVERELY DISABLED VETERAN.  I am still in need of plate data to firm up when certain changes took place.  If anyone has any plates in the DV-24000 range please contact me as I need plate format information.  Thanks.  Posted 7/3.

Updated both types of SCHOOL BUS plates on the www base.  The two types refers to the difference in tag line fonts.  I took a portion of the plate legend of both plates and combined them into a single image for comparison.  This change likely occurred at SC-5000 or SC-6000.  Click it to enlarge.  Posted 6/30/2007.

Added this prototype image of new special organization plate - LIMERICK FIRE COMPANY.  This plate uses a leading 1 to differentiate between it and The Mario Lemieux Foundation plate which also uses the suffix LF.  The Plate Coding Page has also been updated to reflect this addition.  Posted 6/28.

New alpha-numeric series of ATV plates with alpha character now in the third space from right.  First series was 0000A, next  series was 000A0, with most current being 00A00.  DCNR stands for Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the issuing agency for ATV and snowmobile registrations.  Posted 6/26.

Updated image of ATV Class 2 plate. A Class 2 ATV is a motorized off-highway vehicle, which travels on three or more inflatable tires and has a width which exceeds 50 inches or a dry weight which exceeds 800 pounds.

Updated image of U.S. ARMY RESERVE plate.  Posted 6/25.

This DISABLED VETERAN plate has helped to narrow down the transition where the tag legend PENNSYLVANIA on the top and DISABLED VETERAN on the bottom were switched.  I need information or an image of a plate in the DV-24000 series to complete this effort.  Posted 6/25.

A pictorial history of STREET ROD plates.  According to the ALPCA archives these plates came out in 1983, but according to the PA Vehicle Code the date was July of 1981.  For once I'll side with the state.

TYPE 1: 0000^S/_R to 3999^S/_R

The legend Pennsylvania and STREET ROD use a bold font unlike Type 3 below.  The top red stripe is thinner than the bottom one.  Actually the red stripes on the earliest plate don't extend to the right plate border.  It is not known if this is part of the earliest format or something peculiar to this plate.  Some plates have validation stickers.

TYPE 2: 4000^S/_R to 4999^S/_R

Pennsylvania and STREET ROD continue to use a bold font.  Both red stripes are now the same thickness but don't extend to the border.  Most plates use validation stickers.

TYPE 3: 5000^S/_R to current high which is 5416^S/_R

Pennsylvania and STREET ROD have been changed to a lighter weight font.  The top red stripe is again thinner than the bottom one and extends to the border.  Almost all plates have validation stickers.

Posted 6/24.

HARLEY OWNERS GROUP (HOG) #1 sent in by Captain Ian Bogle, Erie Municipal Airport Authority.  Posted 6/24.

And more CLASSIC CAR data.  On Saturday evening my wife and I went out for supper.  The place we went just happened to be having a classic car show.  Honestly, I didn't plan this.  Anyway, I snapped a couple of not-so-good images.  The image quality in this case was not my goal, but rather this plate helped fill in the last piece of the puzzle on CLASSIC CAR plates.  This plate helps establish that the shift from Type 4 to Type 5 took place at 49000.  Posted 6/24.

Plate Trivia — Concerning older CLASSIC CAR plates which are still in use.  Over the long run of these plates, I, along with help from other contributors, have identified 7 format changes, and with each change I have attempted to establish a numerical point at which the changes took place. I spotted a couple of plates today which helped narrow down where the transition from PENNSYLVANIA on top and CLASSIC CAR on the bottom (Type 3), to CLASSIC CAR on top and PENNSYLVANIA (Type 4) on the bottom took place.  It appears that plates from 21000 to 39499 had PENNSYLVANIA on top and CLASSIC CAR on bottom.  Plate 39014 has PENNSYLVANIA on top, while plate 39637 has PENNSYLVANIA on the bottom.  Other format shifts of this plate type appear to have occurred on the thousand mark and not the 500 point as seen here.  Posted 6/23.

Added these 1986, 1987 and 1988 sample images of KEYSTONE STATE GAMES Special Event plates from Paul Bagnarol.  Posted 6/23.

Added these 1992, and 1994 APPLE FESTIVAL sample plate images from Paul Bagnarol.  Posted 6/23.