CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the new “Let Freedom Ring” license plate is now available for all Pennsylvanians to order ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States that will be celebrated across the Commonwealth in 2026. The “Let Freedom Ring” plate — which the Governor unveiled last year — celebrates Pennsylvania as the birthplace of American democracy. Nearly 11,700 new-plate orders have already been filled for people who signed up for updates last year.

“Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American freedom – and ahead of 2026, Pennsylvanians can ‘Let Freedom Ring’ all across our Commonwealth with one of our new license plates,” Shapiro said. “Our team at PennDOT has worked to make it as easy as possible to order a new license plate and we’ve already delivered nearly 12,000 new plates to Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.”

Shapiro partnered with Pennsylvania sports teams from across the Commonwealth to announce plates are available — and the Commonwealth’s favorite mascots proudly showed off their new plates, too.

Vehicle owners can find instructions to request a standard issue license plate from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation online. Personalized plates can also be requested. Fees and instructions will vary based on plate type and any optional personalization.

Military, special organization, special fund and specialty plates without legislatively mandated designs will also be updated with the new design and be available in the coming months.

The department will update its website as each plate becomes available in the new design. Individuals who switch to the new plate before their specialty plate is updated will receive a standard plate.

PennDOT’s partners such as dealers and online messengers will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design. The new license plates are optional for drivers with current license plates.

The new design complements the Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway campaign, underscoring the Shapiro Administration’s Economic Development Strategy and focus on tourism across the Commonwealth.

A 2024 report by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office details how Pennsylvania’s tourism industry generated $76.7 billion in economic impact, supported 486,871 jobs, contributed $4.7 billion in state and local taxes, and welcomed 192.4 million visitors in 2022.

Visitor spending, which supports jobs, income and business sales, generated $9.6 billion in government revenues. Overnight visitor spending increased by $4.8 billion, with more than 66 million trips resulting in $28 billion in spending.