PA To Consider Auctioning Vanity License Plates

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania could realize a potential financial windfall if the state began auctioning vanity license plates, a state lawmaker has asserted in a memo to colleagues. Rep. John Lawrence of Chester County plans to introduce legislation that would allow PennDOT to sell specialty plates with desirable alphanumeric combinations to the highest bidder.

Lawrence is proposing that PennDOT issue a specialty blue plate with gold characters and a border outlining the shape of the state. The agency or its contractor would auction certain popular alphanumeric configurations, with proceeds going to the state's motor license fund.

After reviewing programs in Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas, and Massachusetts, "I was surprised to learn that some plate combinations have been auctioned for $100,000," he wrote. Lawrence cited a 2013 auction in Texas, where a Texas A&M "12th Man" plate sold for $115,000.

"No one has to buy one of these license plates," he wrote. "But evidence from other states shows that similar programs have raised millions of dollars from folks who voluntarily chose to buy one of the special plates at auction."

The state's existing specialty license program allows for special plates for members of military branches, certain causes and organizations and personal individualized licenses. Lawrence's memo does not indicate how, or if, the existing program would be impacted.

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