Letter to the editor: Pa.'s bureaucratic nightmares

This is in response to Daniel Bernstein’s letter “License plate costs create confusion” (Nov. 4, TribLIVE). I had a similar situation with regard to replacing a faulty license plate.

As an AAA member, I went there first and was told there were three options for replacement: Use MV-44 to self-request a plate and pay $11 plus AAA fees; use MV-44 and have a Pennsylvania law enforcement officer sign and get a free plate; or use MV-46 issued by an inspection mechanic and get a free replacement. I chose to request MV-46. My mechanic knew exactly what I needed and showed me on his inspection checklist where license plate integrity is a criteria for passing .

I mailed the necessary paperwork to PennDOT and thought all was well. Two weeks later I was pulled over by the state police for having a “dead” plate. I explained to the officer that I had requested a replacement and gave him a copy of the paperwork. He told me a mechanic could not sign for this. I later phoned Harrisburg and was told my new plate had been processed and the “dead” plate had an explanatory comment in the system with new plate number that the officer should have read.

Our experiences are perfect examples of the bureaucratic disaster we live with in Pennsylvania. It seems that at any point in time, neither the Department of Motor Vehicles, AAA, licensed mechanics or state troopers have an understanding of what should be a very simple process.

Lisa Peila

Hempfield