PennDOT Form MV-14EV: Emergency Vehicle Plate Guide – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issues special Emergency Vehicle registration plates through Form MV-14EV. This supplemental application allows eligible organizations and qualified individuals to obtain distinctive “EV” plates for vehicles used in emergency response. These plates help identify authorized emergency vehicles on Pennsylvania roads and may qualify certain applicants for reduced or waived registration fees.
Whether you represent a volunteer fire company, ambulance service, police department, hospital, or hold a qualifying leadership position, Form MV-14EV is the official document required when applying for or transferring an Emergency Vehicle registration plate. The current version is MV-14EV (2-25).
Download the official Form MV-14EV here: PennDOT Form MV-14EV PDF
What Is PennDOT Form MV-14EV?
Form MV-14EV is a supplemental application used exclusively for the issuance or transfer of an Emergency Vehicle registration plate in Pennsylvania. It must be completed in full and attached to one of the following primary forms:
- Form MV-1 (Application for Certificate of Title)
- Form MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration)
- Form MV-120
- Form MV-140 (Request for Registration)
- Form MV-44 (Duplicate Registration Card or Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Defaced Registration Plate)
The form is processed by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and mailed to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68290, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8289.
Who Qualifies for an Emergency Vehicle Registration Plate?
Eligibility is strictly defined. The vehicle must be used to answer emergency calls or, in limited cases, by the Philadelphia Parking Authority for enforcement under 53 Pa.C.S. Chapter 57.
Common qualifying vehicle types listed on Form MV-14EV include:
- Fire Department Vehicle
- Police Vehicle
- Sheriff Vehicle
- Ambulance (with Department of Health license number)
- Blood Delivery Vehicle
- Human Organ Delivery Vehicle
- Hazardous Material Response Vehicle (with PEMA certification number)
- County Emergency Management Vehicle
- Basic or Advanced Life Support Squad Vehicle
- Emergency Canteen Support Service Organization Vehicle
- Vehicle operated by a Coroner, Chief County Medical Examiner, or designated deputies
- Armed Forces Emergency Vehicle
- Philadelphia Parking Authority Vehicle
- Certain vehicles owned by a city of the first class and operated by certified armed probation officers
- Vehicles designated as emergency vehicles by the Pennsylvania State Police
Privately owned vehicles may qualify when used by specific officials, including:
- Police chief or assistant chief
- Fire chief, assistant chief (or second/third assistant chief in larger companies)
- Fire police captain or lieutenant
- Ambulance corps commander or assistant commander
- River rescue commander or assistant commander
- County emergency management coordinator
- Fire marshal
- Rescue service chief or assistant chief
- Chief or Operations Director of a County Hazardous Materials Response Team
- Certain police officers serving on authorized special emergency response teams
Applicants in these private-vehicle categories must attach a letter on official letterhead, signed by the head of the organization (not the applicant), confirming the individual’s title and qualification.
How to Complete Form MV-14EV – Step-by-Step?
Section A – Owner and Vehicle Information
Enter the title number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), applicant name (or full business name), address, telephone number, PA Driver’s License or Photo ID number (or Business ID/EIN for organizations), and date of birth. Co-applicant information is also required when applicable. Information must match the title or title application exactly.
Section B – Vehicle Use
Check the appropriate box indicating how the vehicle is used. The form lists numerous emergency vehicle categories. Only one primary use should be selected.
Section C – Applicant Type and Fees
Indicate the type of organization or ownership. This determines the registration fee:
- County, City, Township, or Borough – Free registration
- Nonprofit corporation providing EMS, Department of Health-licensed ambulance, or Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association – Free registration
- Hospital – Processing fee in lieu of full registration (Form MV-549 must be on file; list the fee exemption number)
- Fire Company or Rescue Association (non-volunteer) or For-Profit Corporation – Full registration fee plus any applicable $5 local use fee
- Privately Owned Vehicle – Full registration fee required
Refer to the current Form MV-70S – Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees for exact amounts. According to recent fee schedules, the specialty Emergency Vehicle plate itself carries a first-time issuance fee (currently listed at $14), with an additional fee when personalization is requested.
Section D – Optional Personalization
Personalized Emergency Vehicle plates may contain up to five letters and/or numbers. The preprinted “EV” prefix cannot be changed. Only one hyphen or space is allowed (not both). Zeroes should be shown as “Ø”. Requests are limited to passenger vehicles, trailers, or trucks with a registered gross weight of 14,000 lbs or less. PennDOT reserves the right to reject any request. Delivery typically takes 8–10 weeks. No refunds are issued after the order is placed with the manufacturer.
Section E – Certification and Signature
An authorized individual must sign and date the form and include their title. False statements constitute a misdemeanor of the third degree under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904(b).
Required Supporting Documents
- Completed primary form (MV-1, MV-4ST, MV-140, etc.)
- Letter on official letterhead (for private vehicles used by qualifying officials)
- Department of Health license number (for ambulances)
- PEMA certification number (for hazardous material response vehicles)
- Form MV-549 and fee exemption number (for hospitals)
- Form MV-670 (for EV Plate Fleet accounts)
- Photo of the trailer and written description of its emergency use (if registering a trailer)
- Proof of current registration if personalizing a plate on an existing vehicle
Payment must be made by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Cash is not accepted.
Important Notes and Responsibilities
The Emergency Vehicle registration plate must be returned to PennDOT when the person or agency no longer qualifies or when the plate will not be renewed or transferred. Return plates to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Return Tag Unit, P.O. Box 68597, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8597.
Vehicles bearing these plates are subject to all applicable Pennsylvania Vehicle Code provisions regarding the use of emergency equipment (lights and sirens). Separate designation as an emergency vehicle by the Pennsylvania State Police (Form SP 6-115) may be required for the legal use of red lights and audible warning devices in certain cases.
Where to Submit and Get Help?
Mail the completed Form MV-14EV and all supporting documents to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 68290
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8289
For the most current fees, instructions, and forms, visit the official PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website at www.pa.gov/dmv or call 717-412-5300 (TTY: 711).
Always download the latest version of Form MV-14EV directly from the official PennDOT website to ensure you are using the current edition (MV-14EV 2-25 as of the latest update).
Official Download Link: Download Pennsylvania PennDOT Form MV-14EV – Application for Emergency Vehicle Registration Plate (PDF)
This guide is based on the official PennDOT Form MV-14EV (2-25) and related Bureau of Motor Vehicles publications. Requirements and fees are subject to change; always verify the latest information on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website before submitting an application.