[1] As of 2022[update], plates are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) through its Driver & Vehicle Services division.
[2] In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.
(Some cars do get issued a paper temporary Pennsylvania plate, usually by those who live out-of-state buying a car in Pennsylvania who need the temporary tag until the vehicle title is transferred to the state they live in.)
Pennsylvania adopted the current system to combat criminals making counterfeit "T" stickers.
[5] [14] Special fund license plate proceeds are directed to organizations involved with their respective causes.