Illegible License Plate

You could be pulled over and fined $100 for having a license plate that is deemed “illegible”. A license plate that is peeling or hard to read can get you pulled over and even fined!

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says a plate is considered illegible when one or more letters or numbers cannot be recognized from 50 feet away. In addition, if the license plate shows any blistering, peeling, discoloration or loss, or reflectivity, it is also considered illegible.

If your license is illegible, go to PennDOT’s website and look for the MV-44 Form. You can visit any official PA inspection station for verification that your plate is illegible and ask for an MV-46 Form.

Once either form is filled out by a police officer or person who completes state inspections, you should mail the form to PennDOT. Your new plate will arrive within a few weeks and your old plate should be destroyed or returned to PennDOT to be recycled.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Return Tag Unit

P.O. Box 68597

Harrisburg, PA 17106-8597