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ARCHIVED HOME PAGES BY YEAR 2022  |   2021  |   Older  Archives

SPECIAL VETERAN PLATES

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

PLATE TYPE (first year of issue)

PLATE FORMATTING

REFERENCE INFORMATION

PLATE PHOTOS & NEEDED IMAGES

UPDATES

SAMPLES AND PROTOTYPES

IS PLATE  VANITY ELIGIBLE?

FORMAT: The center of the plate shall bear a en bronze replica of the appropriate medal. The initials of each recipient shall be embossed to the left of the medal and the letters MOH (for Medal of Honor) shall be embossed to the right of the medal.  This formatting differs somewhat from that spelled out in the vehicle code.

The plate shown here was issued to Gino J. Merli for his heroic efforts in World War II.

Look up Gino Merli and read his heroic account.

All above photos were taken by John Clark

Sample

Afghanistan and Iraq Veteran (2023)

Type available 3/3/23

The department shall issue a special registration plate designating the owner as a person who is a veteran of the liberation or occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq.  Plate may be used only on a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds

Form MV-150 (3-23)

Yes

Up to 5 characters

Air Force Cross (2012)

Type added 11/4/12.  Air Force Cross, second highest Air Force decoration for extreme heroism in combat. As of 8/30/21 only plates 2, 5, 6 & 7 have been issued.

from Tom Perri

Yes

With map outline.

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened AC suffix.

Air Medal (2023)

Type available 3/3/23

The department shall issue a special registration plate designating the owner as a recipient of the Air Medal. Plate may be used only on a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds.

Form MV-150 (3-23)

Yes

Up to 5 characters

Blue Star Family (2023)

Type available 3/3/23

Upon application of a family member of a person who is an active duty service member in the military, including a reserve component or National Guard. Plate may be used only on a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds.

Form MV-920 (3-23)

Yes

Up to 5 characters

Bronze Star (2012)

Type added 11/4/12

The Bronze Star Medal, unofficially the Bronze Star, is a United States decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.

from Tom Perri

from Ryan Battin

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened BZ suffix.

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened BZ suffix. Removal of sticker well and addition of map outline.

from Jordan Irazabal

Removal of sticker well and addition of map outline.  This change dates back to at least 6/12/18

from Danny Schell

Bronze Star for Valor (2012)

Type added 11/4/12.  The Bronze Star Medal, unofficially the Bronze Star, is a United States decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.

Whenever the medal is awarded by the Army and Air Force for acts of valor in combat, the "V" Device is authorized for wearing on the medal and whenever the medal is awarded by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard for acts of valor or meritorious service in combat, the Combat "V" is authorized for wearing on the medal.

from Jordan Irazabal

and Tom Perri

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened BV suffix.

from Arthur Levine

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened BV suffix.  No sticker well.

from Tom Perri

Removal of sticker well and addition of map outline. Format change added 2/18/18

from Brendan Sherry

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened BV suffix.  Removal of sticker well and addition of map outline.

from Brayden Harnish

This series of Combat Action plates came about as a result of Act 109 of 2014.

Type added 11/2/14

from Nathan Krawzyk

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix.

from Tom Perri

Without sticker well

With map outline. Added 12/8/19.

from Zach Taylor

This series of Combat Action plates came about as a result of Act 109 of 2014.

Type added 11/2/14

from Tom Perri

and Jordan Irazabal

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix.

from Tom Perri

Combat Action Ribbon (2014)

Type added 11/2/14

from Nick Tsilakis

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix.

from Jordan Irazabal

Now with map outline.  Change added 2/23/20

from Drew Steitz

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix.  Now with map outline.

from Nick Tsilakis

Combat Infantryman Badge (2014)

Type added 11/2/14

from Nick Tsilakis

from Jordan Irazabal

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix. With sticker well.

Removal of sticker well and addition of map outline. Format change added 11/19/17

from Jonathan Ortman

Personalized, up to 5 characters, no sticker well and has map outline.

from Jeff Lawson

This series of Combat Action plates came about as a result of Act 109 of 2014.

Type added 11/2/14

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix.

from Nick Tsilakis

On visitPA base with screened image, P/H and Tag Line.  First spotted 11/17/04.

from Nick Tsilakis

from Jordan Irazabal

from Nick Tsilakis

via Tom Perri

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

from Chuck Harrington

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted, with map outline.

from Kat Keegan

No sticker well.

from Tim Martin

With map outline.

from Matt Ciecka

Combat Wounded Veteran Motorcycle (Purple Heart) (2019)

Type available 2/21/19.

Form MV-150

Image needed

Personalized, up to 4 characters permitted.

Disabled Veteran (1977)

FORMAT 1: DV-0000 to DV-9999, then DV-10000 to DV-21999

PENNSYLVANIA on top; DISABLED VETERAN on bottom, condensed legend font, 2 sticker wells on top left and right.

from Worthpoint

from Darren Bianco

from Worthpoint

from Worthpoint

Stacked prefix, PENNSYLVANIA on bottom; DISABLED VETERAN on top, wide legend font, sticker well bottom left.

from Ryan Battin

from Ryan Battin

FORMAT 8: From DV-79000 and are issued in pairs.  This provision dates from 12/2014.

Vehicle owners who have equipment on the rear of the vehicle for carrying a wheelchair or personal assistive device are authorized to be issued two plates since the assistive device and carrier may block visibility of the vehicle mounted plate.

While these plates have their own unique number series and are issued in pairs, the plates have the DV prefix flat screened as well as PENNSYLVANIA in dark blue on top and DISABLED VETERAN in red on bottom.

from Bruce Bufalini

FORMAT 9: DV- 0

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened DV- prefix. The plates have the DV prefix flat screened as well as PENNSYLVANIA in dark blue on top and DISABLED VETERAN in red on bottom.

from Brian Craig

FORMAT 9A: DV-36750 to at least DV-37596. Flat screened DV- prefix, plus PENNSYLVANIA in dark blue on top and DISABLED VETERAN in red on bottom.  Sticker well upper left.

FORMAT 9B: From between DV-37597 and DV-37629 to current high

Same as Format 9A but sticker well has been removed.

from Jordan Irazabal

FORMAT 9C: Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened DV- prefix. The plates have the DV prefix flat screened as well as PENNSYLVANIA in dark blue on top and DISABLED VETERAN in red on bottom.  Sticker well has been removed.

from Jeff Lawson

Disabled Veteran, Severe Disability (1986)

The plate to the right is a bit of a mystery.  The plate is obviously old, yet the number series is way too high for Disabled Veteran.  My first guess is that it is an early issue of Severely Disabled Veteran. 

The plate to the right is another example of the plate above.  While this one is not current it is a better image and offers some indication of vintage.

Unknown format

Yes, as configured in Format 3C below

PENNSYLVANIA on top and DISABLED VETERAN on bottom.

reverse color purple

both from Bob Connison

DISABLES VETERAN on top and PENNSYLVANIA on bottom.

from Brendan Sherry

Flat screened PENNSYLVANIA on top and DISABLED VETERAN on bottom, wheelchair & stacked DV.  Sticker well upper left.  First seen around 6/2013.

from Ryan Battin

This provision dates from 12/2014. Vehicle owners who have a device on the rear of the vehicle for carrying a wheelchair or personal assistive device are authorized to be issued two plates since the assistive device and carrier may block visibility of the vehicle mounted plate.

both above from

Mike Alfonse

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.  Sticker well upper left.

from Ryan Battin

from Ron Lunn

The D/V99000 series is reserved for dual plate applications. 

Flat screened PENNSYLVANIA on top and DISABLED VETERAN on bottom, wheelchair & stacked DV.  Sticker well has been removed.  First seen early 2017.

from Ryan Battin

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.  Sticker well has been removed. 

from Jordan Irazabal

First seen 10/2021.  Now on visitPA (family of plates) base with map outline, flat screened DV and wheelchair symbol on right, DISABLED VETERAN in red along bottom..

from Brandon Sowers

See formatting above.  Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened DV and wheelchair symbol in suffix position.  First seen 10/2021

from Matt Ciecka

New style sticker.  Unknown if this sticker can be used on any motorcycle plate.

new style

Yes

00055 and 00061.

Type added 11/4/12

from Bill Ceravola

Yes

to current high

Type added 11/4/12

from Nick Tsilakis

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened FC suffix.

from Nick Tsilakis

Image added

4/30

Type added 11/4/12

Image needed

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix.

Expeditionary Forces Veteran (1995)

Base is white, EF stacked prefix, followed by 4 digit serial number followed by VETERAN stacked to the right all in blue, Expeditionary Forces along top in red, PENNSYLVANIA along bottom, and border all in red.  Sticker well lower left.  

Narrow separation between the prefix and the numbers. Changeover points are approximate.

from Colin M.

from Clayton Moore

Same as above except wide separation between the prefix and the numbers. Changeover points are approximate.

from Heather Butera-Howel

Same as above except narrow separation between the prefix and the numbers. Changeover points are approximate

from Jordan Irazabal

New design 3/9/14.  Same colors, all features are now flat screened except 4 digit number.

from Brendan Sherry

New design 12/14.  VisitPA base, Expeditionary Forces medal on left, stacked EF prefix.  Only 4 digit serial number is embossed.  Bottom legend reads Expeditionary Forces Veteran.

from Ryan Battin

Yes 

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

from Bruce Bufalini

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.  No sticker well & no map outline.

from Nick Tsilakis

No sticker well & no map outline.

from Brandon Sowers

With map outline.

Added 2/21/21

from Bruce Bufalini

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.  No sticker well & with map outline.

from John Clark

Gold Star Family (2006)

Type added 10/8/06

Plate was released early November 2006.

from Bill Ceravola

Yes

Personalized, up to 4 characters permitted.

from Tom Perri

With map outline replacing sticker well.

from Bill Stephens

Personalized, up to 4 characters permitted.  With map outline replacing sticker well.

from Eric Conner

Type added 7/2010.

from John Clark

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix.

from Matt Boyer

 Korean War Veteran (1993)

Plate appears to have been discontinued during 2020.

No

Legion of Merit (2019)

Type available 2/21/2019. 

Form MV-150

from Nick Tsilakis

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened LM suffix.

Navy Cross (2012)

Type added 11/4/12

from Tom Perri &

Jordan Irazabal

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CO suffix.

 Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran (2005)

reserve issue

from Nick Tsilakis

Yes

general issue

Type added 7/17/05, moved to active 9/18/05

from Nick Tsilakis

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

Map outline in place of sticker well.

from Jaska Börner

Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran (2005)

reserve issue

from Nick Tsilakis

Yes

general issue

Type added 7/17/05, moved to active 9/18/05

from Jordan Irazabal

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

from Ian Emmett

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.  With map outline, 1/27/19.

from Ian Emmett

general issue

No sticker well 12/8/19

from Jordan Irazabal

general issue

With map outline, 3/28/21.

from Brandon Sowers

 PA National Guard (2018)

Type added 3/4/2018.  Plates in use by mid-may 2018.  Plates active by 5/20/18.

Image needed

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

from Nathan Krawzyk

 Pearl Harbor Survivor (1990)

high

Plate legend: December 7, 1941

Pearl HarborSurvivor

Pennsylvania

No

The plate with the P/H/S000 format is an unknown/unverified format.

from Michael Wiener

Persian Gulf War Veteran (1993)

This early edition was made with the logo inverted.

upright logo, plus some earlier plates that were replaced.

from Jeff Hinkle

Now on visitPA base, July 2015. South West Asia Service Medal on plate.

from Jonathan Ortman

Yes

With map outline.

from John Fedorchak

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.  With map outline.

from Arthur Levine

Presidential Service Badge (2019)

Type available 2/21/2019

Form MV-150

from Jordan Irazabal

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted with flat screened PB suffix.

from Arthur Levine

 Prisoner of War (1982)

FORMAT 1: POW-000 to POW-999, two sticker wells at top.  There may have been a run of these plates with the placement of PENNSYLVANIA and PRISONER OF WAR reversed.

from Drewski

Note: Sample images do not necessarily correspond to the various formats.

FORMAT 2: 000-POW to 999-POW, two sticker wells.

from Michael Wiener

FORMAT 3: POW-A00 to POW-V67 or beyond.

FORMAT 4: POW-V68 to current high  

New design 8/11/13.

from Donald Harman

Yes

Purple Heart, go to Combat Wounded Veteran

Silver Star (2012)

Type added 11/4/12

from Bruce Bufalini

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted, now with map outline.

from John Fedorchak

Now with map outline, 11/24/19.

from Nick Tsilakis

Soldier’s Medal (2019)

Type available 2/21/2019

Form MV-150

Image needed

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted with flat screened SM suffix.

U.S. Air Force (Active Duty) (2017)

Type added 2/5/17

Plates active ~ 5/2017

from Preston Turner

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted

from Brendan Sherry

U.S. Air Force Veteran (2009)

or higher.  With sticker well.  Type added 11/19/09

Yes

FORMAT 1A: Note, plates, at least in the range of 21071^A/_F to 21126^A/_F, are missing the words Air Force at the bottom of the logo.

from Tom Perri

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

from Jordan Irazabal

and Tom Perri

Up to 5 characters permitted.  No sticker well.

from Arthur Levine

FORMAT 3: From 22932^A/_F or lower to current high. 

With map outline.  Format added 10/7/18

from Bruce Bufalini

Up to 5 characters permitted.  With map outline.

U.S. Army (Active Duty) (2017)

Type added 2/5/17

Plates active ~ 5/2017

from Jordan Irazabal

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted

U.S. Army Veteran (2009)

13700^A/_R

Type added 11/19/09

from Bill Ceravola

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted

With map outline.  Format added 4/1/18

from Jordan Irazabal

Up to 5 characters permitted.  With map outline.

from Bruce Bufalini

U.S. Coast Guard (Active Duty)

Type added 2/5/17

Plates active ~ 5/2017

from Matthew Wehner

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted

U.S. Coast Guard Veteran (2009)

Type added 11/19/09

from Brendan Sherry

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CG suffix.

with sticker well

from Nick Tsilakis

from Jeff Lawson

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CG suffix.

without sticker well

from Brendan Sherry

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened CG suffix.

with map outline

from Bruce Bufalini

U.S. Marine Corps (Active Duty)

Type added 2/5/17

Plates active ~ 5/2017

from Jordan Irazabal

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted

from Devan Ciemiewicz

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran (2009)

Type added 11/19/09

from Nick Tsilakis

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted

from Arthur Levine

Format added 9/2/18.  No sticker well.

from Jordan Irazabal

Up to 5 characters permitted.  Format added 9/2/18.  No sticker well.

from Kyle Goodhead

With map outline.

from Charles Sweitzer

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened MA suffix.  With map outline.

U.S. Merchant Marine (2013)

Type added 4/28/13

Plates active ~ 6/2013

from Bruce Bufalini

Yes

Without sticker well

from Ed Pfaeffle

U.S. Military Airborne Units (2013)

Type added 4/28/13

from Ryan Battin

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened MA suffix.  With sticker well.

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened MA suffix.  No sticker well.

from Jordan Irazabal

Personalized, up to 5 characters with flat screened MA suffix.  With map outline.

from Clayton Moore

from Nick Tsilakis

U.S. Navy (Active Duty) (2017)

Type added 2/5/17

Plates active ~ 5/2017

from Tom Perri,

editing by Jordan Irazabal

Up to 5 characters permitted

from Nick Tsilakis

U.S. Navy Veteran (2009)

Type added 11/19/09

from Ryan Battin

Yes

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

from Brendan Sherry

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted, with small map outline.

from Brendan Sherry

Same as Format 1, but with small map outline.  Format added 09/01/19

from Ryan Battin

Veteran (2005)

FORMAT 1:

Found this #1 image of a veteran plate on PA State Rep. Dick Stevenson's website.  When this new series of plates came out, the first over-the-counter plates were issued with a 00100 U/S format.  Now it has been confirmed that plates with numbers below 100 have been issued.  I have emailed Rep. Stevenson requesting a clarification and received no response.

from Brendan Sherry

from Devan Ciemiewicz

Yes

General issue.  Type added 7/17/05, moved to active 9/18/05.  With sticker well.

from Ned Flynn

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

from Nick Tsilakis

FORMAT 2:

General issue, without sticker well.

from Charles Sweitzer

FORMAT 2A:

Without sticker well.

FORMAT 3:

With map outline.

from Bruce Bufalini

FORMAT 3A:

With map outline.

from Matt Ciecka

Veteran Motorcycle (2004)

FORMAT 1: V0100  to at least V2675

Narrow VETERAN legend font.  See Form MV-150.  License plates available around 9/04.

Yes

FORMAT 2: From V2970 or below to current high.  This format uses a wider legend font, it also appears to use a bolder serial font.

from Charles Sweitzer

FORMAT 3: Personalized, V+1 to 4 characters. The legend VETERAN is flat screened, whereas serial numbered plates are embossed.

Veterans of an Allied Foreign Country (2019)

Type available 2/21/2019

Form MV-150FA

Image needed

Yes

Up to 5 characters permitted with VA suffix.

from Nick Tsilakis

Vietnam War Veteran (1999)

A few colorized plates appear to have been hand-painted and are not a type variation.

from Ryan Battin

Yes

On visitPA base

New design 11/6/14.

from Ryan Battin

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.

from Jordan Irazabal

Has map outline.

Personalized, up to 5 characters permitted.  With map outline.

from John McDevitt

Image replaced 5/14

World War II Veteran (1995)

from Tom Perri

Not available

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