PennDOT Form MV-145: PA Disability Plate Application Guide – If you or a family member in Pennsylvania needs a special registration plate due to a qualifying disability or hearing impairment, PennDOT Form MV-145 is the official application you must complete. This form allows eligible residents to request a Person with a Disability registration plate, a Hearing Impaired registration plate, or a Person with a Disability motorcycle plate. These plates provide important parking privileges and identification benefits recognized across the United States.
This comprehensive guide covers everything U.S. residents need to know about Form MV-145, including eligibility requirements, how to complete the application, required fees, submission instructions, and where to download the official PDF. All information is based on current PennDOT resources from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
What Is PennDOT Form MV-145?
Form MV-145 is the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) application used to request one of the following special registration plates:
- Person with a Disability Registration Plate (code K9)
- Person with a Disability Motorcycle Plate (code BK)
- Hearing Impaired Registration Plate (code S4)
- Two identical plates for vehicles equipped with a wheelchair or personal assistive device carrier
Unlike the free Persons with Disability Parking Placard (applied for with Form MV-145A), the registration plates issued through Form MV-145 are permanently affixed to a specific vehicle and require a fee. The disability plates grant the same parking privileges as a placard when the qualified person is being transported.
You can download the current official Form MV-145 (revised 2-26) directly from PennDOT here: Download PennDOT Form MV-145 PDF.
Who Is Eligible for a Disability or Hearing Impaired Registration Plate in Pennsylvania?
Eligibility is defined under Pennsylvania law (75 Pa.C.S. § 1338) and detailed on the reverse side of Form MV-145. A person qualifies for a Person with a Disability plate or motorcycle plate if they meet any of the following “Reason Codes”:
- Is blind
- Does not have full use of an arm or both arms
- Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
- Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device
- Is restricted by lung disease so that forced expiratory volume in one second is less than one liter or arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/Hg on room air at rest
- Uses portable oxygen
- Has a cardiac condition classified as Class III or Class IV by American Heart Association standards
- Is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition
Parents (including adoptive or foster parents), a person in loco parentis, or a spouse may apply on behalf of a qualifying individual. Only one Person with a Disability registration plate is issued per qualified person for one vehicle.
For the Hearing Impaired Registration Plate, any person with a hearing impairment verified by a licensed health care provider qualifies. Note that the Hearing Impaired plate does not provide special parking privileges.
Qualifying vehicles include passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of 14,000 pounds or less that are used by or exclusively for the benefit of the person with a disability. Motorcycles are eligible only for the disability motorcycle plate.
Benefits of the Person with a Disability Registration Plate
When the vehicle displays a valid Person with a Disability plate and is being used to transport the qualified individual, the driver may:
- Park in spaces designated for persons with disabilities
- Park for 60 minutes longer than the legal parking period (except where local rules address heavy traffic during peak hours)
- Request that local authorities install a reserved parking sign near the person’s residence
These privileges are recognized in all 50 states. The plate itself must remain on the vehicle; it cannot be transferred for use in other vehicles the way a placard can. Always remove the disability plate before selling the vehicle.
How to Complete and Submit Form MV-145?
Follow these steps carefully:
- Download and print the current Form MV-145 from the official PennDOT link provided above.
- Check the appropriate box for the type of plate requested (Person with a Disability, Disability Motorcycle, Hearing Impaired, or two plates for a wheelchair carrier vehicle).
- Complete Section A with current vehicle information exactly as it appears on the registration card (title number, VIN, plate number).
- Complete Section B with the vehicle owner’s and person-with-disability information. Include PA driver’s license or photo ID number and date of birth.
- Obtain certification in Section C from a licensed health care provider (physician, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatrist, physician assistant, or certified registered nurse practitioner) licensed in Pennsylvania or a contiguous state (NY, NJ, DE, MD, WV, or OH). The provider must list the applicable Reason Code. A police officer may certify only blindness or lack of full use of a leg/both legs (Section D).
- Optional personalization (Section E) – additional fee applies.
- Sign the unsworn declaration in Section F under penalty of perjury.
Mail the completed form with the required fee (check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) to:
PennDOT
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1101 South Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(The form itself lists P.O. Box 68593, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8593 – either address is accepted for processing.)
Fees for Form MV-145 Plates
Fees are listed on the current PennDOT Form MV-70S – Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees. As of the latest schedule:
- Person with a Disability Registration Plate: $14
- Hearing Impaired Registration Plate: $14
- Personalization (additional one-time fee for disability-related plates): $68
These fees are in addition to any regular registration renewal fees if you are also renewing the vehicle at the same time (use Form MV-140). Do not send cash. Fees are subject to periodic CPI adjustments, so always verify the current MV-70S before mailing.
Important Notes and Tips for U.S. Applicants
- Only one disability plate is issued per qualified person.
- The vehicle must be titled and registered in Pennsylvania (or qualify under limited exceptions).
- Organizations transporting persons with disabilities have additional documentation requirements (notarized statement of use and service hours).
- Processing times vary; allow several weeks for the new plate to arrive by mail.
- For parking placards (which can be moved between vehicles and are free), use Form MV-145A instead.
- Keep a copy of the completed application for your records.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services pages:
If you have questions, contact PennDOT Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET). TTY users dial 711.
Download Your Official Form MV-145 Now
Ready to apply? Download the current official Pennsylvania PennDOT Form MV-145 directly from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website:
Using the official form ensures your application is processed without delays. Always check the revision date on the form and confirm fees on the latest MV-70S schedule before submitting.