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What To Do If Your Pennsylvania License Plate is Peeling

A peeling or faded plate isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it can get you stopped by police.

Peeling or faded Pennsylvania license plates are a common problem—and if your plate becomes unreadable, it can get you pulled over or even ticketed. Luckily, PennDOT offers free replacements for illegible registration plates.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Why Plates Peel in Pennsylvania

In recent years, PennDOT changed its manufacturing process. The entire plate is coated with a sealant before being stamped. This leaves exposed aluminum edges where corrosion and peeling often begin. Over time, blistering, fading, and loss of reflectivity can make your plate difficult to read.

A plate is officially deemed illegible if:

  • Letters or numbers cannot be recognized from 50 feet away, or
  • It shows blistering, peeling, discoloration, or loss of reflectivity.

How to Replace a Peeling License Plate

Replacing your plate is simple—and free if it’s illegible.

Step 1: Get the Replacement Form

  • Download Form MV-46 from the PennDOT website
  • Or pick one up at an official Pennsylvania inspection station.

Step 2: Verification

Take your vehicle and plate to a police officer or certified inspection station. They will:

  • Verify your plate’s condition.
  • Complete Section B of the MV-46 form.

Step 3: Sign and Submit

  • Fill out Section A of the form with your information.
  • Sign Section C.
  • Mail the completed form to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 68593
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8593

Step 4: Receive Your Free Plate

PennDOT will mail you a replacement plate at no charge.

  • Standard plates usually arrive in up to 15 days.
  • Personalized or specialty plates may take 6–8 weeks.

Other Ways to Replace Your Plate

  • State Representative’s Office: Many offices help constituents with plate replacements.
  • General Plate Reissuance: PennDOT is already phasing out older plates (standard passenger plates beginning with D, E, F, G, H, J, K and truck plates beginning with Y). If you own one, you’ll automatically receive a new plate when transferring it to another vehicle.

FAQs About Plate Replacement

Will my vehicle fail inspection for a peeling plate?
No. A plate won’t fail inspection unless it’s hanging loosely, mismatched with your registration card, obscured, or not illuminated by a plate lamp.

What should I do with the old plate?
Destroy it or return it to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles – Return Tag Unit
P.O. Box 68597
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8597

What if I have a specialty plate?
You’ll receive the same plate type. If PennDOT has redesigned it, you’ll get the new version. If the plate type is discontinued, you’ll get a standard issue plate.

At CNS Licensing, we help drivers and fleets navigate PennDOT regulations every day. If you need assistance with plate replacements, registration, renewals, or title services, our team is here to make the process fast and stress-free.

Contact us today to keep your fleet compliant and your vehicles road-ready at 717.625.0066 or visit www.cnslicensing.com for more info.

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