SOLOBAY, MARKOSEK AND PENNDOT UNVEIL NEW DISABILITY MOTORCYCLE LICENSE PLATE

On November 14, State Reps. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, and Joseph Markosek, D-Allegheny, Westmoreland, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, joined with representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation today to unveil a new motorcycle license plate for people with disabilities. The plate will replace the disability decal currently used by motorcyclists.

Solobay heard from many motorcyclists that their decal was not always recognized by police as permission to park in a disabled driver zone.

L to R: A.B.A.T.E. member Bob Evans, A.B.A.T.E. Lobbyist Charles Umbenhauer, Rep. Joseph Markosek, and Rep. Tim Solobay. Motorcycle compliments of Black Dog Motorcycles.

“When I learned about the problem, I knew we in the legislature had to take immediate steps to remedy it,” said Solobay, sponsor of legislation calling for a disability motorcycle license plate. “I am pleased that PennDOT stepped up to the plate, so to speak, and we were able to get this done without legislation.”

“By switching from a decal to an actual license plate, it will bring uniformity, and allow police and others to readily recognize the motorcycle owner has a right to park in a disabled driver zone,” Markosek said.

Also attending the news conference were Bobby Evans and Sharon Joyce, both disabled motorcycle riders, and Charlie Umbenhauer from A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania.

“I am pleased how swiftly this new plate has gone from being an idea to becoming a reality for hundreds of disabled motorcycle riders,” Umbenhauer said.

Charles Umbenhauer and Tim Solobay

“PennDOT is pleased to offer a persons with disabilities motorcycle license plate,” said Kurt Myers, deputy secretary for PennDOT’s Safety Administration. “This new license plate incorporates the international symbol for people with disabilities and conforms to PennDOT’s blue, while and yellow family of plates design, which is more recognizable by law enforcement.”

There are more than 300 motorcycle owners who have the disabilities decal. There will be a $7.50 fee for the new plate, but PennDOT will issue, free of charge, a new person with disabilities motorcycle license plate to people who currently have the decal.

Individuals wishing to obtain a person with disabilities motorcycle license plate may do so by visiting www.dmv.state.pa.us and completing Form MV-145.

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