Governor Shapiro Reduces or Eliminates Registration Fees for Some Veterans, Retired Customers

Through bipartisan efforts between the Shapiro Administration and the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is pleased to announce that due to changes established in Act 60 of 2024, signed by Governor Shapiro in July, the annual income threshold for a retired Pennsylvanian to qualify for a reduced vehicle registration fee was increased, allowing more people to be eligible for this benefit. Additionally, some veterans may now be eligible for free vehicle registration and titling fees.

“We’re glad that these changes in the law help make things a little easier for older Pennsylvanians and our veterans,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “PennDOT and the Shapiro Administration are committed to working with the General Assembly on commonsense changes like these that have a direct, positive impact on people’s lives.”

Previously, the annual income threshold for a retired customer to qualify for a reduced registration fee of $11 annually was $19,200. Beginning December 16, 2024, the annual income threshold increases to $29,906 and will be subject to annual Consumer Price Index adjustments.

“As we age, many of us find ourselves hitting the road less, yet paying the same registration fee as those who drive more frequently. With the changes to the annual income limits, these reduced fees will enable more older adults to save some money to spend on other necessities while still having peace of mind on their vehicle’s registration,” said Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich. “Thanks to Governor Shapiro, the General Assembly, and PennDOT for keeping older adults a priority.”

For qualifying customers to receive the reduced vehicle registration fee of $11, they must complete and submit Form MV-371, “Application for a Retired Person’s Processing Fee of a Vehicle Registration.” Customers should attach the completed form to their invitation to renew and return it to PennDOT to be processed. The $11 annual fee will be applied after the application is processed. More information on eligibility requirements can be found on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Act 60 also provides for the elimination of registration and title fees for one passenger vehicle or truck weighing 9,000 pounds or less owned by military veterans who meet the following requirements (license plate fees still apply):

Vehicles registered to a veteran who lost a limb or eye or who became partially paralyzed while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.Vehicles registered to a person who, as a member or the Armed Forces of the United States, was captured by the enemy in any armed conflict for which the Department of Defense authorizes a campaign medal.

Vehicles registered to a person who has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Vehicles registered to a person who has been awarded the Purple Heart.

“As the Commonwealth’s leading advocate for our servicemembers, past and present, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is grateful to the Shapiro Administration for its continued support of veterans and their families,” said Brig. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “Many veterans who have served our nation have sacrificed to a level most will never experience. Efforts like eliminating registration and title fees for eligible veterans sends an important message that Pennsylvania has not forgotten all you have done while in uniform.”

For more information about driver licensing and vehicle services for veterans, visit PennDOT’s driver and vehicle services website.

Traveling by domestic aircraft on or after May 7, 2025? You will need a REAL ID-compliant product or other federally-accepted form of identification if you do. Visit www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID for information on how you can get a REAL-ID compliant driver’s license or identification card today. There are less than six months left to prepare.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

PennDOT Invites Public Comment on Electric Vehicle Charging Support

Community EV framework supports Administration’s goal to make EVs more accessible to Pennsylvanians

As the Shapiro Administration continues its rapid deployment of federal electric vehicle (EV) charging investments, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today invited the public to submit feedback on the agency’s proposal to invest in EV charging infrastructure in communities statewide. The survey can be found on the PennDOT website and will remain open until October 11 at 11:59 PM.

Recently, PennDOT submitted the 2024 NEVI State Plan Update to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) which outlines progress on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and how the agency proposes to begin the program’s “community charging” phase which will bring federal investments to communities across Pennsylvania. The department has requested that FHWA certify it has met requirements for Pennsylvania’s 1,800 miles of Alternate Fuel Corridors (AFC) and can begin investing the state’s remaining $102 million in NEVI funding to develop community charging infrastructure.

“The next step in making EVs a reliable option for PA drivers is local access to charging,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Since these chargers will be in communities, it’s vital that we hear what folks around the state think is important.”

PennDOT has prepared a “Post-AFC Framework” that invests a majority of the remaining NEVI funding in community focused charging needs across the Commonwealth. As part of framework, PennDOT proposes focusing funding on Corridor Connections, Community Charging, Critical Investments, and EV Charging Workforce. To date, PennDOT has announced $59 million for charging projects that are currently completed, underway or conditionally awarded.

Pennsylvania can compete for billions of dollars in federal funds across a wide range of federal grant programs through the BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). To help communities and organizations learn about these opportunities, PennDOT created a web page, www.penndot.pa.gov/IIJA, with details on federal grant opportunities to help municipalities, townships, and other community agencies with understanding the multiple transportation program grants that are available. The page includes Grant Alerts, guides, and links to important resources for local municipalities and organizations interested in pursuing federal funding opportunities.

For more information on NEVI funds in Pennsylvania visit the PennDOT website.

Information about state infrastructure in Pennsylvania, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.