Dave, N3XF, gave a good presentation on getting your call sign on a vanity plate for your vehicle, and the process on obtaining the license plate. In Pennsylvania all you need to do is fill out a form and mail in a check to get you vanity plate, here is how. The form is easy to fill out and there is a onetime $13 application fee.
Application Process
In order to apply for the plate, you will need use the form for a standard personalized registration plate, Form MV-904 (PDF), “Application for Special Registration Plate.” Personalized registration plate applicants must have a valid registration plate, which the applicant shall retain pending receipt of the requested plate.
Requests for personal registration plates are restricted to:
- passenger vehicles
- motorcycles
- motor homes
- trailers
- trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds.
When filling out Form MV-904, you need to check the box for Amateur Radio Operator Registration Plate. You will also need to check the appropriate box for Leased Vehicle, either Yes or No.
When applying for Amateur Radio Operator Registration plate, you will need to complete sections A, C, and E. The other blocks do not apply.
One registration plate will be issued with your FCC assigned call sign. If you desire a second Amateur Radio Operator registration plate, your FCC call sign plus a hyphen and the #2 will be issued. No other personalization is available for this plate.
You will need to submit an Official Copy of your Amateur Radio Station License, attached to your application.
Once you complete the form and attach your Amateur Radio License. Mail the forms and a check or money order for $13, payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Do not send cash. The envelop should be addressed to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Special Tag Unit, P.O. Box 68293, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8293.
Additional Information
- A separate application must be submitted for each personalized registration plate.
- New vehicles must be titled and registered prior to a personalized plate being issued.
- Allow eight to ten weeks for delivery of your personalized registration plate.
- If PennDOT has further questions on the configuration, a staff member may contact the customer by phone for further clarification.
- If a request is rejected, the customer will receive a letter indicating the request has been denied with an explanation of why.
- If the customer writes to or calls PennDOT about their rejected configuration, a staff member will talk to them about it.
- Additional information can be found on the PennDOT website, Personalized Availability (pa.gov).