Philadelphia Vehicle Registration Sticker Pilot Program to be Discontinued; Changes Take Effect Dec. 15

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 9 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) today announced the Philadelphia Vehicle Registration Sticker Pilot Program will be discontinued effective Dec. 15, 2003.

In October 2000, PENNDOT unveiled a new registration sticker to about 520,000 Philadelphia-area vehicle owners to reduce registration sticker theft. The sticker was placed on the inside of the vehicle's rear window instead of the license plate. Following an evaluation of the program, PENNDOT decided to discontinue the pilot program.

"It is clear that the pilot program had an impact in reducing sticker theft in the Philadelphia region," said Kurt Myers, Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. "Unfortunately, the program's cost in relationship to the benefit of reduced sticker theft does not justify continuance of the pilot program."

Additionally, PENNDOT saw a reduction in sticker theft from the recently completed license plate reissuance program. As part of the license plate's redesign, the sticker was moved to the upper left-hand corner to hinder the "cutting" of the plate to remove the sticker. The new license plate is also made with thicker aluminum.

"While the number of sticker thefts has decreased in Philadelphia, a reduction in thefts has also taken place in other parts of the state," said Myers. "We believe the simple changes to the license plate had an impact on reducing sticker theft statewide."

Beginning Dec. 15, as vehicles are renewed or reissued credentials, a registration plate sticker will be issued. The conversion will take about one year.