Officials Hosting License Plate Replacement Event In Bristol Twp.

August 15, 2023

A peeled and weathered license plate.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tina Davis are partnering with the Bristol Township Police Department to host an event aimed at assisting residents with the replacement of hard-to-read license plates.

The event hosted by the two Democratic lawmakers and police will take place on Wednesday, August 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Bristol Township Municipal Complex at 2501 Bath Road in Bristol.

Those who attend the event will have their license plates evaluated by a police officer. If deemed illegible, the officer will then sign off on the required paperwork for a free replacement plate from the PennDOT.

Those interested are advised to book a 10-minute drive-thru slot via Santarsiero’s website.

According to PennDOT, a license plate is considered illegible if one or more characters cannot be discerned from 50 feet away or if there’s evidence of blistering, peeling, discoloration, or diminished reflectivity.

For a free plate replacement, vehicle owners must submit the completed Form MV-46 signed by a law enforcement official or a certified inspection station. The form, once filled out, should be sent to PennDOT.

It’s worth noting that the penalty for possessing an illegible license plate is a $100 fine, according to Santarsiero’s office.

“Our roads are safest when vehicles are regularly inspected and easily identifiable,” said Santarsiero. “We are happy to partner with Bristol Township Police to get the paperwork completed for hard to read license plates so they can be replaced for free.”

Davis hopes the event will emphasize the significance of maintaining legible license plates.

“Most drivers likely don’t think about their license plate on a regular basis, so I am hopeful this event can help raise awareness about hard to read license plates and assist drivers in getting a free replacement plate and avoiding fines,” he said.

For further details on replacing illegible plates, individuals can refer to the PennDOT website.