New PA Law Authorizes Military License Plaes

HARRISBURG, PA — You may soon see new styles of license plate out on the roads across Pennsylvania.

A newly signed law authorizes three types of military-themed license plates available to veterans and their families. The Air Medal license plate and the Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans license plate are each available to veterans who have received those medals.

Meanwhile, the Blue Star Family license plate is available to close family of active duty or reserve service members.

“When our service members deploy they sacrifice greatly, and so too do their families,” Brig. Gen. Maureen Weigl, the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs, said in a statement. "These special plates will be seen throughout the Commonwealth, reminding citizens that we owe a debt of gratitude to all who served to defend our freedom."

The idea for the plates was introduced as legislation by State Sen. Devlin Robinson’s (R-Allegheny) and received bipartisan support. It was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro this month.

The fee for the plates is $23.

The plates are similar in design to the traditional Pennsylvania plate, containing blue, white, and gold outlines, with small changes. The Air Medal plate contains an image of the Air Medal, while the Iraq and Afghanistan plate contains both the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal.

The Blue Star Family Plate, meanwhile, has a flag with a red border around a white background, with a blue star in the middle.

Pennsylvania currently offers six categories of license plate designs, including military, standard issue, special fund, special organizations, personalized, and specialty.

Applicants must fill out a special form proving their eligibility to receive the plate.