Quick Summary:
- Enter the temporary plate number printed on the paper tag.
- Use the issuing state shown on the temp tag, usually Pennsylvania.
- If the app lacks ‘plate state’, add it to notes and screenshots.
- Save photos of tag, windscreen, kiosk receipt, and session confirmation.
Pay-by-plate parking in Pennsylvania is designed around one key idea, the parking system checks a vehicle’s registration identifier using cameras and databases. When your car hire vehicle has a permanent metal plate, the identifier is obvious. When it has temporary paper tags, it can feel unclear what number a kiosk or parking app expects, and that uncertainty is what causes most mismatches.
The practical rule is simple, for pay-by-plate you should enter the plate number currently assigned to the vehicle, which on a temporary registration is the number printed on the temporary paper tag. Do not enter the vehicle identification number (VIN), the rental agreement number, the fleet unit number, or the barcode on the tag unless the parking system explicitly asks for it. The ANPR or enforcement officer is looking for the displayed registration identifier.
If you picked up your vehicle around Philadelphia, this comes up often with new vehicles, recently registered vehicles, or vehicles awaiting permanent plates. If you are collecting at or near the airport, it is worth checking the tag before leaving the car park so you know where the number and issuing state are printed. If you are arranging car hire through Hola Car Rentals for the area, you may find relevant local pick-up options on Philadelphia Airport car hire and car hire in Philadelphia.
What number should you enter when the car has paper temporary tags?
Enter the temporary plate number shown on the paper tag itself, exactly as printed. In most cases, that number is the vehicle’s temporary registration plate number. Parking kiosks and apps generally validate by plate number, sometimes plus issuing state, and then create a record that enforcement uses to confirm payment.
To avoid a mismatch, copy it carefully, character by character. Temporary tags often use fonts and spacing that make confusion more likely. Check for common errors such as:
- O versus 0, and I versus 1
- Missing hyphens or spaces, if the app expects none
- Transposed characters, especially in longer sequences
When in doubt about formatting, enter the characters without spaces unless the field forces a format. Many systems ignore hyphens and spaces, but they cannot correct a wrong letter or digit.
Where to find the temporary plate number and state on a hire car
In Pennsylvania, temporary registration is commonly displayed as a paper tag placed in the rear window or mounted where a rear plate would normally be. The tag usually includes an identifier labelled as the plate number, registration number, or temporary tag number, plus an issuing state and an expiry date.
Before you start the parking session, locate these items:
- Plate number: the alphanumeric sequence intended to be read like a plate
- Issuing state: often PA, but could be another state depending on registration
- Expiry date: useful context if enforcement queries validity
If the tag is inside the glass, reflections can make it difficult to read. Take a clear photo from outside the vehicle so you can zoom in later when entering details on an app.
What to do if the kiosk or app asks for “plate state”
If the system provides a “plate state” or “issuing state” field, select the state printed on the temporary tag. Do not assume Pennsylvania solely because you are driving in Pennsylvania. Rental fleets sometimes register vehicles in different states, and a temporary tag can be issued by the registering state rather than the state you are visiting.
When you are unsure, do not guess. Check the tag again. If you already started a session with the wrong state, it is safer to end it and start a new one with correct details, if the platform allows, than to hope enforcement will interpret it correctly.
If you are using a larger vehicle such as an SUV or people carrier, the tag placement can be higher or further back, and harder to read at night. This is another good reason to take a photo as soon as you collect the vehicle. For Philadelphia options you can review SUV rental in Philadelphia or minivan hire in Philadelphia.
How to handle pay-by-plate systems that have no “plate state” field
Some pay-by-plate kiosks and apps only ask for the plate number, with no way to specify state. This is common where the operator assumes local plates, but it can still work with temporary tags if the number is unique enough in the operator’s enforcement system.
When there is no “plate state” field, your goal is to create a clear paper trail showing exactly what you entered and why. Take these steps:
- Screenshot the entry screen showing the plate number you typed
- Screenshot the confirmation screen showing location, time, and paid period
- Photograph the temporary tag so the printed number is legible
- Keep the payment receipt email or in-app receipt
If the kiosk prints a receipt, keep it, and also take a photo of it. Thermal receipts fade quickly, sometimes within days, especially if left in sunlight.
ANPR mismatches, why they happen with temporary tags
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) relies on camera clarity and predictable plate design. Temporary paper tags introduce variables that increase the risk of misreads, such as glare, creases, tinted glass, condensation, and non-standard fonts.
Common mismatch scenarios include:
- The camera reads one character wrong, then finds no matching paid session
- The tag is not visible due to angle or luggage blocking the rear window
- The operator’s back-end expects a state, but the kiosk did not collect it
- The system matches your payment to a different similar-looking plate
These issues can occur even when you entered the correct number. That is why proof matters as much as entry accuracy.
What proof to save so you can dispute later
If you receive a notice later, your ability to dispute depends on showing that you paid for the correct vehicle at the correct time. Save evidence at the time you park, not after a notice arrives.
Save the following, ideally in a single album on your phone:
- A clear photo of the temporary tag, showing number and issuing state
- A wider photo showing the tag is on your vehicle, not just a close-up
- A screenshot or receipt showing the paid plate number and the session times
- A screenshot showing the parking location or zone you selected
- A photo of the bay, meter number, or signage if relevant to the location
If you paid through an app, also keep the transaction reference, as some operators can search by payment ID faster than by plate.
How to enter the plate correctly on kiosks and in apps
Whether you are using a street kiosk, a garage terminal, or a phone app, the same best practices apply:
- Type the plate number from the tag, not from memory
- Use capital letters, and double-check ambiguous characters
- Do not add extra words like “TEMP” unless asked
- Confirm the final review screen before paying
When a kiosk is involved, it helps to take a quick photo of the screen at the review stage. This gives you evidence of what the machine displayed at the moment you confirmed. If photography is not allowed in a secure facility, rely on the printed receipt and your tag photo instead.
If you already entered the wrong number
Mistakes happen, especially when you are in a hurry. If you realise immediately and the platform allows edits, correct the plate within the session. If it does not, it is often better to start a fresh session with the correct plate and keep evidence of both transactions.
If you only realise later, keep all evidence and contact the parking operator as soon as possible. Many operators will correct a plate entry if you can show you paid for the right time and location, even if the plate field contained a typographical error.
Notes for different hire car providers and paperwork
Regardless of which company supplied the vehicle, the enforcement logic is the same, match payment to the displayed registration identifier. Your rental agreement may list a plate number, but if the vehicle is on temporary tags, the agreement can sometimes show a different internal identifier or a pending plate. Trust what is physically displayed on the vehicle for pay-by-plate purposes, and photograph it.
If you are comparing providers for Philadelphia, you can read more about options such as Avis car rental in Philadelphia and Budget car rental in Philadelphia. The parking guidance in this article applies regardless of provider.
A quick checklist before you walk away
Before leaving your hire car in any pay-by-plate area in Pennsylvania, run through this quick mental check:
- Is the temporary tag visible, unobstructed, and readable from outside?
- Did you enter the exact temporary plate number from the tag?
- Did you select the correct issuing state, if asked?
- Do you have a receipt or confirmation for the active session?
These steps take less than a minute, and they greatly reduce the chance of a penalty caused by an ANPR misread or a data entry issue.
FAQ
Q: For pay-by-plate in Pennsylvania, should I enter the VIN if the car has temporary tags?
A: No. Enter the temporary plate number printed on the paper tag, because enforcement checks the displayed registration identifier, not the VIN.
Q: The parking app asks for a plate number and state. Which state do I use?
A: Use the issuing state printed on the temporary tag. Do not assume Pennsylvania unless the tag shows Pennsylvania.
Q: The kiosk did not have a “plate state” option. How can I protect myself?
A: Take screenshots or photos showing the plate number you entered, keep the receipt, and photograph the temporary tag clearly on the vehicle.
Q: What if ANPR misreads my paper tag and I receive a notice later?
A: Dispute it with your evidence, including tag photos, session confirmation, location, and timestamps that show you paid for the correct vehicle and period.
Q: My rental agreement shows a different plate than the paper tag. Which one should I use?
A: Use the number physically displayed on the vehicle at the time, the temporary tag number, and keep a photo in case the paperwork differs.
