Vehicle lifts in Pennsylvania: plates, carriers and OVR help

Pennsylvania's plate regulations mention a wheelchair carrier by name. That makes the usual worry, whether a hitch lift that blocks the rear plate will get you pulled over, easier to answer with the text in front of you.

This page walks through the Vehicle Code and PennDOT's mounting rules, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation's policy on vehicle modifications, how Pennsylvania weather treats a lift that rides outside the car, and several lifts worth comparing.

What the Vehicle Code and PennDOT rules require

The basic duty is in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1332(a): "Every registration plate shall, at all times, be securely fastened to the vehicle to which it is assigned or on which its use is authorized in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department." Subsection (b) makes it unlawful to display a plate that "is illegible, obscured, covered or otherwise obstructed in any manner at a reasonable distance." Under subsection (c), certain violations carry "a fine of $100."

PennDOT's mounting rule, 67 Pa. Code § 47.3, says every plate shall be fastened "So as to be clearly visible," "In a horizontal position," "At a height of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the registration plate," and "So as to prevent the registration plate from swinging." A plate moved onto a low lift platform has to meet that 12-inch minimum.

The carrier provision is in 67 Pa. Code § 47.2(c). If two person with disability, disabled veteran or severely disabled veteran plates are issued for a vehicle "which has a carrier attached to the rear for the purposes of transporting" "a wheelchair or similar personal assistive device, one plate shall be affixed to the rear of the vehicle" and "the other shall be affixed to the rear of the carrier" "instead of affixing the plate to the front of the vehicle." That rule covers that specific plate situation only; we found no Pennsylvania rule that excuses a carrier from blocking a standard plate.

Lighting matters as much as position. Section 47.2(a) places the rear plate "so as to be illuminated by the license plate light required by 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(b)," and § 4303(b) requires a rear lighting system including "license plate light." For passenger cars and light trucks, the inspection rule at 67 Pa. Code § 175.66(k) says that where the vehicle was originally so equipped, the plate lamp "shall emit white light" and "make the registration plate visible from distance of 50 feet to the rear of the vehicle."

Vocational rehabilitation and vehicle modifications

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, part of the Department of Labor & Industry, has a written policy on driving and vehicle services, Program Guidelines 23-200.02, effective March 7, 2024. It says "OVR only sponsors modifications that are essential and the most cost- effective to meet the customer's vocational needs," and that the customer "may not purchase a vehicle prior to obtaining their vehicle modification prescription and approval." OVR sponsors modifications "no more frequently than every ten years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first," and "will file a lien on the title with PennDOT for the amount OVR expends." The policy ties these services to employment: they "should enable individuals to achieve a competitive, integrated employment outcome." If work is part of your goal, speak with OVR before you buy anything.

Snowbelts, heavy rain and an outside platform

According to NOAA's Pennsylvania climate summary, lake-effect areas in the northwest "can receive more than 100 inches of snow annually," the east is "at risk for nor'easters," and "Pennsylvania has experienced a large increase in extreme precipitation events." Statewide annual precipitation has ranged from 28.9 inches in 1930 to 64.0 inches in 2018.

For a hitch lift, that means slush and spray land on the platform, the plate and the plate lamp all winter. Since § 1332 forbids an obscured plate and § 175.66(k) wants it visible at 50 feet, a quick wipe of the plate and lamp belongs in the routine before each drive. A cover for the scooter or chair keeps the seat and controls drier, and an inside hoist keeps the device out of the weather entirely.

Comparing lifts for Pennsylvania drivers

• Harmar AL010/050 Micro Outside Lift: for smaller scooters, power chairs and manual chairs up to 135 lb on a Class I or greater hitch. A license plate mount is included and a license plate riser is available, which helps with the 12-inch rule.
• Harmar AL001 Hitch Carrier: fully manual, with no motor or battery to maintain. It carries up to 500 lb on a 28 x 48 in platform with a 60 in folding ramp, on Class II or III hitches.
• Harmar AL560XL: for larger power chairs, with a padded hold-down arm, wheel cradles, a 350 lb capacity and fully powered lifting and folding. It needs a Class III or greater hitch, and a license plate mount comes with it.
• Harmar AL425 2-axis Hoist Lift: mounts in the cargo area of a van, SUV or truck and lifts up to 400 lb with power lifting and rotation. Because it stays inside, the plate and backup camera are untouched.

The figures above come from each product's Faith Mobility page. Harmar asks that a vehicle's compatibility be confirmed before ordering, and we will help you check it by email.

TechOWL and lending in Pennsylvania

TechOWL, listed by the AT3 Center as the state's assistive technology program and run by Temple University's Institute on Disabilities, keeps a statewide lending library of "over 1500 devices" and offers "free demonstrations and consultations" (TechOWL). Its help-with-pay page describes the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, which "provides cash loans and financial literacy education," and notes that "For loans greater than $7,000, the interest rate is currently 3.75%, subject to change."

Delivery to Pennsylvania

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. Faith Mobility ships to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500). We cover the sales tax on every order, and most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Use the vehicle lift fit check and read shipping to Pennsylvania.

Questions about vehicle lifts in Pennsylvania

Can a scooter lift block my license plate in Pennsylvania?

No. 75 Pa.C.S. § 1332(b) makes it unlawful to display a plate that is obscured, covered or otherwise obstructed at a reasonable distance, and 67 Pa. Code § 47.3 requires the plate to be clearly visible, horizontal and at least 12 inches from the ground. A lift with its own plate mount, or a plate riser, keeps the plate in view.

Where does the second disability plate go if I use a wheelchair carrier?

Under 67 Pa. Code § 47.2(c), when two person with disability, disabled veteran or severely disabled veteran plates are issued for a vehicle with a carrier on the rear for a wheelchair or similar device, one plate goes on the rear of the vehicle and the other on the rear of the carrier, instead of on the front of the vehicle.

Must a plate moved onto a lift still be lit in Pennsylvania?

The plate must be lit. Section 47.2(a) places the rear plate where the license plate light required by 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303(b) illuminates it, and 67 Pa. Code § 175.66(k) says the plate lamp shall emit white light and make the plate visible from 50 feet to the rear on vehicles originally so equipped.

Will Pennsylvania OVR pay for a vehicle lift?

OVR's policy 23-200.02 says it sponsors only modifications that are essential and the most cost-effective for the customer's vocational needs, tied to an employment outcome. It sponsors modifications no more often than every ten years or 100,000 miles and files a lien with PennDOT for the amount spent. Do not buy a vehicle before OVR approval.

Browse the vehicle lift collection, answer the fit check, or take the full assessment if the mobility device is still being chosen. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• 75 Pa.C.S. § 1332, display of registration plate
• 67 Pa. Code § 47.3, manner of display
• 67 Pa. Code § 47.2, plate location and carriers
• 75 Pa.C.S. § 4303, rear lighting
• 67 Pa. Code § 175.66, lighting and electrical systems
• OVR Program Guidelines 23-200.02, Driving & Vehicle Services
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Pennsylvania
• Faith Mobility: Harmar AL010/050
• Faith Mobility: Harmar AL001 Hitch Carrier
• Faith Mobility: Harmar AL560XL
• Faith Mobility: Harmar AL425
• AT3 Center: state AT programs
• TechOWL
• TechOWL: help with pay