(a) Application for new plate.--The registrant of the vehicle shall within 48 hours of discovering the loss, theft or defacement apply to the department for a new plate and report the loss or theft of a plate to the police.
(b) Substitute registration.--Where the registration plate has been lost or stolen and in any other case in which the department may deem it advisable, the original registration shall be cancelled and substitute registration issued under a new registration number other than that originally issued. Upon receipt of substitute registration, it shall be the duty of the registrant to return the old registration plates and card to the department, unless lost or destroyed.
(b.1) Illegible registration plate.--
(1) The department may reissue a registration plate upon request by a registrant when it is determined by an authorized representative of the department or law enforcement that the registration plate is illegible from a reasonable distance. The department may select the style of the reissued registration plate and, except in the case of personal registration plates issued under section 1341 (relating to special registration plates), the registration plate number.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1):
(i) The department shall at no cost to the registrant reissue the style of the registration plate under subparagraph (ii) upon request by a registrant when it is determined by an authorized representative of the department or law enforcement that the registration plate is illegible from a reasonable distance.
(ii) Subparagraph (i) shall apply to plates issued under:
(A) Section 1342 (relating to veteran plates and placard).
(B) Section 1345 (relating to special plates for recipients of the Medal of Honor).
(C) Section 1346 (relating to special plates for recipients of Purple Heart).
(D) Section 1348 (relating to special plates for Pearl Harbor survivors).
(E) Section 1350 (relating to special plates for veterans of Korean War).
(F) Section 1350.1 (relating to special plates for recipients of Korean Defense Service Medal).
(G) Section 1351 (relating to special plates for veterans of Persian Gulf War).
(H) Section 1356 (relating to special plates for recipients of Expeditionary Forces Medal).
(I) Section 1357 (relating to special plates for World War II veterans).
(J) Section 1357.1 (relating to special plates for individuals in the service of the United States Merchant Marine).
(K) Section 1360 (relating to special plates for veterans of Vietnam Conflict).
(L) Section 1361 (relating to special motorcycle plates related to veterans).
(M) Section 1362 (relating to Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans plate).
(N) Section 1363 (relating to Operation Enduring Freedom veterans plate).
(O) Section 1363.1 (relating to Afghanistan and Iraq veterans plate).
(P) Section 1364 (relating to special plates for veterans).
(Q) Section 1364.1 (relating to special plates for current members of the armed forces of the United States).
(R) Section 1365 (relating to Gold Star Family plate).
(S) Section 1366 (relating to special plates for recipients of Silver Star).
(T) Section 1366.1 (relating to special plates for United States military airborne units).
(U) Section 1366.2 (relating to Blue Star Family plate).
(V) Section 1366.3 (relating to special plates for recipients of Air Medal).
(W) Section 1367 (relating to special plates for recipients of Bronze Star).
(X) Section 1368 (relating to special plates for recipients of Bronze Star for Valor).
(Y) Section 1368.1 (relating to special plates for recipients of Soldier's Medal).
(Z) Section 1368.2 (relating to special plates for recipients of Presidential Service Badge).
(AA) Section 1368.3 (relating to special plates for recipients of Legion of Merit).
(BB) Section 1369 (relating to special plates for recipients of Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross).
(CC) Section 1369.1 (relating to special plates for recipients of Combat Action Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Ribbon, Combat Action Medal or Combat Medical Badge).
(DD) Section 1369.3 (relating to special plates for veterans of an ally foreign country).
(EE) Any special plates honoring military service authorized by law that is consistent with this paragraph. The secretary shall transmit notice of any plates under this clause to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(iii) A registration plate under subparagraph (ii), reissued under subparagraph (i), that is also a personal registration plate shall be reissued at no cost to the registrant with the same registration plate number unless waived in writing by the registrant.
(c) Affidavit to avoid penalty.--No owner or operator of a vehicle shall be subject to a fine for the reason that the registration plate is missing if they have in their possession an affidavit that the plate was lost or stolen and that application for new plate or plates was made within 48 hours as required in this section.