How to Get Personalized License Plates in Pennsylvania

Make Your Car Truly Yours with a Personalized PA License Plate!

Are you ready to make your vehicle truly yours? Personalized license plates let you stand out on the road, show off your personality, or commemorate something meaningful.

At CNS Licensing, we help Pennsylvania drivers navigate the process of getting custom plates quickly, easily, and correctly.

Step 1: Decide on Your Personalized Plate

Before you apply, think about what you want your plate to say:

It could reflect your hobby, passion, or lifestyle.
It could showcase your luxury or status-oriented vehicle.
You can personalize a plate for sports cars, motorcycles, classic cars, or everyday vehicles.

Tip: Be creative, but make sure your combination follows Pennsylvania’s DMV rules. Avoid offensive language or prohibited phrases. You can use tools like ChatGPT or Grok to give you options of names based on limitations and your desired topics or ideas.

Personalized registration plates may contain up to seven letters and numbers in combination. One hyphen or one space is permitted, but not both. Special characters are not available.

Step 2: Check Availability

Visit the PennDOT Personalized Plate Tool to see if your desired combination is available.
Popular combinations may already be taken, so have a few backup options ready.

PennDOT has a “Do Not Issue” list of unacceptable configurations. A newly submitted configuration is checked against the list to determine if it should be immediately rejected.

If the configuration is on the “Do not Issue” list, the system will not allow it to be entered. The customer application is returned to the customer with an explanation of why the application was not processed.

Step 3: Prepare Your Vehicle and Documentation

To apply for a personalized plate, you’ll need:

Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License
Current vehicle registration
Proof of Pennsylvania insurance
Completed PennDOT application for personalized plates

Tip: At CNS Licensing, we can help you fill out your application and ensure everything is accurate before submission. Want personal auto insurance quote? We can do this instantly and painlessly for you with the big insurers.

Step 4: Decide Between a Gift or Sale (if transferring a vehicle)

If your personalized plate is for a vehicle you recently received:

Gift: If the car was transferred without money, use an Affidavit of Gift (MV-13ST). No sales tax applies between spouses or friends if documented correctly.
Sale: If purchased, the price you declare will determine your sales tax, and an Affidavit of Fair Market Value (MV-3) may be required if the price is unusually low.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

You can submit your application:

Directly to PennDOT online or by mail
Through an authorized CNS Licensing agent, who can notarize documents, calculate fees, and ensure your application is complete (simplest option with no headaches)

State Fees: Vary based on vehicle type and plate design
Service Fees: Apply when using a licensed agent like CNS Licensing

Step 6: Wait for Your Plates

Processing time varies, but once approved, your customized plate will be mailed to you.
Install your plates on your vehicle and enjoy making a statement on the road!

Important Tips and Things to Consider

Be Unique: Your plate should reflect your personality, hobby, or car’s style. Think like a collector or enthusiast.
Proof of Insurance: Required in Pennsylvania before plates can be issued.
Specialty Plates: Some designs have extra fees. Check before applying.
Maintain Records: Keep your application, proof of payment, and PennDOT correspondence.
DIY or Agent Help: CNS Licensing can simplify the process, handle notarization, and help you avoid errors.

At CNS Licensing, we make getting your personalized Pennsylvania license plate simple and stress-free. From filling out the application to notarizing your documents, we handle the details so you can focus on making your car truly yours.

Ready to get started? Contact CNS Licensing today and reserve your personalized plate at 717.625.0066 or info@cnslicensing.com.