Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives 

Regular dealers

Specific plates for dealers were introduced in 1910, when Pennsylvania began issuing passenger car plates with a keystone attachment bearing the maker's number (today know as the VIN) of the vehicle to which the plates were assigned.  Dealers needed plates that were not assigned to a specific vehicle, so that they could use them on any vehicle in their inventory. 

Like other Pennsylvania plates types through 1915, dealer plates were porcelain-coated and were similar in appearance to passenger car plates.  Instead of the keystone attachment, the state abbreviation Penna, the four-digit year, and the word Dealer were stacked on the left side of the plate.  In 1910, dealer plate serial numbers were all-numeric, but beginning in 1911, dealer plates consistently used an "X" serial prefix letter.  The "X" was smaller than the serial numbers on the 1911 and 1913 plates, and the same size as the numbers on the 1912, 1914, and 1915 plates.  The use of the letter "X" was reserved for dealer plates through 1970. 

Beginning in 1916, dealer plates were embossed like all other Pennsylvania plate types, but the basic design of the plates were otherwise unchanged from the previous years' porcelain plates.  The "X" letter code was the same size as the serial numbers on these embossed plates.  In 1919, similar to other plate types, the state abbreviation, the year, and the Dealer plate type legend were relocated to the right side of the plate. 

Tractor dealers

Non-dealer tractor plates for farm tractors were introduced in 1914, and tractor dealer plates are known to exist as early as 1916.  The 1916 to 1919 tractor dealer plates looked like regular dealer plates except that they had a "TX" serial prefix rather than just "X". 

Regular dealers

1920-1923 Pennsylvania dealer plates were consistently 16 inches long by 6 inches high, even though most of them had fewer than six serial characters and didn't need that length for the serial number.  The 16 inch length was needed for the text Penna Dealer 19yy (where "yy" indicated the year) to fit on the bottom edge of the plate.  The "X" prefix was again the same size as the serial numbers.  It appears that plate numbers up to 999 had no dash separator, while those 1,000 and above had a dash separator between the third and fourth digits from the right. 

Tractor dealers

It's been reported that tractor dealer plates bore the legend Tractor Dealer during these years, and were also identifiable by the "TX" serial prefix.  I don't know that both words Tractor Dealer spelled in full would have fit on the plate, however. 

Motorcycle dealers

These are known to exist with dates as early as 1923.  Like full-sized dealer plates, motorcycle dealer plates were identified with a letter "X" serial prefix.  They were not otherwise identified. 

Regular dealers

During these years there was no legend to identify dealer plates, but they continued to use the "X" serial prefix, with up to five numeric serial digits.  These were like truck plates, in that the serial letter was the same size as the numbers from 1924 through 1926, and then since 1927, always noticeably smaller than serial numbers.  Probably also in some years and with some numbers of serial characters, a dash separator was used between the third and fourth characters from the right, while in other situations no dash was used.  This was the case with other plate types from the 1920s. 

Tractor dealers

Tractor dealer plates were distinguishable only by the "TX" serial prefix during these years. 

Motorcycle dealers

Like full-sized regular dealer plates, motorcycle dealer plates were identified with a letter "X" serial prefix.  They were not otherwise identified. 

Regular dealers

I, like most people familiar with old Pennsylvania license plates, had once automatically assumed that 1930-1933 dealer plates were identified by the presence of the letter "X" in the serial number, and due to the now-shorter plate numbers, the "X" could be in any position.  Well, I've actually seen them in serial positions 1 through 4, but not position 5.  The 1930 and 1931 plates shown at left, are perfect examples of what I assumed were dealer plates. 

Then I saw a report by another plate historian that indicated that dealer plates, like truck plates, used serial formats 00xx and 000xx in 1930.  In the case of dealer plates, the first of the two letters was supposedly could be either an "X" or a "Y", while the second letter was variable.  I've also seen 1931 plates in format 000xx where the first letter is an "A" or "B", and I don't know what those are – I'm guessing either truck or dealer plates, but I just don't know. 

I'm not yet convinced that 1930 and 1931 "X" plates are not in fact dealer plates, based on just this one report which runs counter to convetional wisdom.  I'm not aware of the letter "X" being used for any other type of plate through 1970.  However, assuming this report regarding 1930 dealer plates is in fact correct, that leaves the obvious question of what type of plate are the 1930 and 1931 "X" plates, if not dealer plates?  Passenger car plates, perhaps, but who knows?  To resolve this question, further provenance is needed, such as a registration card for a 1930 or 1931 "X" plate, or a list of 1930 or 1931 plate types and corresponding numbering formats from the Pennsylvania motor vehicle department.  Same thing with 1932 and 1933 plates, just to be sure.  I'd say that 1932 and 1933 "X" plates are more likely to be dealer plates, since there is no other mystery numbering format in those years that could have been used instead.  Stay tuned. 

Tractor dealers

Tractor dealer plates were distinguishable only by the "TX" serial prefix during these years. 

Motorcycle dealers

Like full-sized regular dealer plates, motorcycle dealer plates were identified with a letter "X" serial prefix.  They were not otherwise identified. 

Motorboat dealers

Motorboats were issued metal plates similar to license plates between 1931 and 1963.  Through 1954, they were quite different looking than any land-based vehilce plates.  Motorboat dealer plates have been reported as early as 1933; I don't know whether they were also issued in 1931 or 1932.  Motorboat dealer plates were distinguished from regular motorboat plates only by their "X" serial prefix.  Motorboat plates are covered in more detail on the Pennsylvania motorcycle plates page. 

Regular dealers

For 1934, and continuing to the present, dealer plates bore a legend that clearly identified them as such.  The legend was yy#Dealer#Pa in 1934, 1936, and 1937, and on 1935 "shorty" plates with fewer than five serial characters, with the # symbol indicating the position of embossed keystones, and the "yy" indicating the two-digit issue year.  Full-sized 1935 plates with five serial characters bore legend # yy Dealer Pa #.  Serial formats in 1934 did not use the "X" letter code; instead, they could be all-numeric or have a variable serial letter.  However, the "X" retuned in 1935, and could be in variable positions.  Although 1937 passenger car plates were issued with a state map outline, dealer plates continued in the plain style for one additional year. 

Tractor dealers

Apparently tractor dealer plates looked similar to trailer plates, with a vertical state abbreviation and year, but with the legend Trailer Dlr across either the top or bottom of the plate.  I'm guessing that the 1934 plate didn't have the "TX" serial prefix, but the 1935-1937 plates did. 

Motorcycle dealers

Motorcycle dealer plates lost the "X" in the serial number, permanently, and now instead were identified by the stacked letters "M/C/D".  The stacked letters were stacked vertically on the right side of the plate in 1934 and 1935, and on the left side in 1936 and 1937.  On the opposite side of the plate, the two-digit year and the state abbreviation Pa were each stacked vertically. 

Motorboat dealers

Motorboat dealer plates had an "X" serial prefix, but otherwise looked just like regular motorboat plates, and both were quite different looking from any land-based vehilce plates.  Motorboat plates are covered in more detail on the Pennsylvania motorcycle plates page. 

1938-1945 regular dealers and 1946-1957 miscellaneous dealers (X in serial)

Through 1945, there continued to be only one dealer plate type, which used the "X" letter code in the serial number.  (That is, if you don't consider tractor dealers, motorcycle dealers, or motorboat dealers.)  1943 renewal tabs used to extend the life of the 1942 dealer plates also had an "X" serial prefix that identified them as dealer tabs. 

Additional dealer plate types for new and used car dealers were introduced in 1946, but the unspecified or generic dealer plate type with the "X" in the serial also continued to be issued.  A 1965 state document refers to these "X" plates as "miscellaneous dealer" plates.  I believe these were issued to what would later be called motor vehicle businesses rather than actual dealers.  Serial formats remained unchanged on these plates, with a maximum of five characters through 1956, including the letter "X" which could be in a variety of positions.  In 1957, dealer plates went to using six serial characters, using only serial format X00000 for miscellaneous dealer plates. 

1946-1957 new and used car dealers (A and B prefixes)

At least two new dealer plate types, for new car dealers and used car dealers, were introduced in 1946.  New car dealer plates bore the legend New Car Dl'r and used the letter "A" consistently in serial position one, while used car dealers said Used Car Dl'r and used the letter "B" consistently in serial position one.  Through 1956, both plate types had one additional variable letter in the serial and used both serial formats x000x and x00x0.  In 1957, these plate types went to using six serial characters, using only serial format x0000x. 

The 1956 new car dealer plate shown at left had its plate number stamped with what are called 1957 dies.  1957 die characters are the same width as the previous 1934 dies, but the width of the strokes are thinner.  They're called 1957 dies because they were used to stamp all types of 1957 plates with five or fewer characters in the plate number.  Most instances of 1957 dies being used on 1956 plates are late-issue, high-numbered passenger car plates, but I also know of two truck plates and this one dealer plate.  I don't know if 1957 dies were only used on new car dealer plates, or also on other dealer plate types as well.  Ironically, since 1957 dealer plate numbers all had six characters, they were stamped with what are called 1958 serial dies. 

1946?-1957 transit dealers (C prefix)

The earliest year I'm aware of this obscure plate type actually being issued is 1957, and it was issued through 1965.  These had a generic Dealer legend and were issued in small numbers.  Serial format was C0000x in 1957, and almost certainly the second letter was always an "A".  I've also now seen a 1952 test plate that was stamped with plate number C123A and the legend Dealer, which makes me now think this type might have been around since 1946, when the "A" and "B" prefixed dealer plates began. 

I had been under the impression that the split-alpha passenger car plate serial formats that debuted in 1951 had started with serial C000A, but perhaps not, since that format was apparently already in use.  On the other hand, Pennsylvania did issue the same plate number for various plate types in other instances, so passenger car plates and transit dealer plates might have shared the format, or, possibly, split-alpha passenger car plates actually began at C000B or D000A. 

A 1965 state document refers to this plate type as being for "transit dealers", but I have no idea what exactly that means.  It sounds like these might be bus dealer plates, but I can't imagine why bus dealers would need their own plate type when there was no truck dealer plate type.  A more likely possibility is that these plates were used for unregistered vehicles "in transit", such as being driven between factory and showroom. 

Tractor dealers

This is not a common plate type, and I've only seen two tractor dealer plates from this time period, dated 1952 and 1955.  They both bore the legend Tractor but don't say anything about being a dealer plate.  They were identifiable as dealer plates only by the serial format TX000.  I can only assume that other 1938-1957 tractor dealer plates have similar characteristics. 

Motorcycle dealers

Motorcycle dealer plates continued to be distinguished from regular motorcycle plates with the stacked letters "M/C/D" on the right side of the plate.  Serials were always all-numeric. 

Motorboat dealers

Beginning in 1955, motorboat plates began to strongly resemble motorcycle plates, and used the same state map design and expiration date embossed along the top edge as did motorcycle plates.  However, in most years, motorboat plate colors were completely different than Pennsylvania license plates used on land vehicles.  Motorboat dealer plates were distinguished from reglar motorboat plates only by having an "X" serial prefix. Motorboat plates are covered in more detail on the Pennsylvania motorcycle plates page. 

Miscellaneous dealers (X prefix)

The miscellaneous or generic dealer plate type continued to be issued.  I believe these were issued to what would later be called motor vehicle businesses rather than actual dealers.  During these years, serial numbers were consistently six characters, with the letter "X" consistently in position one and a dash between the third and fourth characters.  In other words, the serial format was X00-000. 

New and used car dealers (A and B prefixes)

New car dealer plates continued to bear the legend New Car Dl'r and used the letter "A" in serial position one, while used car dealers said Used Car Dl'r and used the letter "B" in serial position one.  During these years, the serial format was x00-00x for both of these plate types.  The suffix letter was variable. 

Transit dealers (C prefix)

These had a generic Dealer legend and were issued in small numbers.  Serial format was C00-00x beginning in 1958.  Again, I don't really know what a "transit dealer" was. 

Tractor dealers

1958 plates issued to dealers of farm-type tractors bore the legend Pa Tractor but didn't say anything about being dealer plates.  They were identifiable as dealer plates only by the serial format TX0-000.  New tractor dealer plates were issued in 1962 and 1964 like other dealer plate types. 

Motorcycle dealers

The stacked letters "M/C/D" continued to be placed on the right side, and serial numbers continued to be all-numeric throughout this period.  Like full-sized dealer plates, motorcycle dealer plates were issued in 1958, 1962, and 1964 with an embossed two-digit year stacked vertically in the lower left corner of the plate.  Early-issue 1958 base plates had tab slots on either side of the year, which were never used for their intended purpose.  These base plates were validated with stickers in the intervening years; sticker colors were the same as passenger car plates, and the stickers were affixed to a blank space above the embosssed year. 

Motorboat dealers

Motorboat plates continued to strongly resemble motorcycle plates, but in most years had different colors than were ever used on motorcycle plates.  Motorboat dealer plates had an "X" serial prefix, but otherwise looked just like regular motorboat plates.  1963 was the last year for these.  Motorboat plates are covered in more detail on the Pennsylvania motorcycle plates page. 

1965 miscellaneous dealers (X prefix)

Miscellanous or generic dealer plates continued to use the state abbreviation Pa followed by the legend Dealer, and also continued the X00-000 serial format used in previous years.  However, the undated 1965 plate was the last year for this plate type and this serial format.  It was replaced in 1966 by the motor vehicle business plate type, which is addressed below. 

New and used car dealers (A and B prefixes)

New and used car dealer plates continued with the A00-00x and B00-00x serial formats, respectively, used in previous years.  1965 plates continued to use the state abbreviation Pa followed by the legends New Car Dl'r or Used Car Dl'r, but were undated.  1966 new and used car dealer plates read Pa Dealer 1966 across the top, and were distinguished only by the serial prefix letters A and B, respectively. 

Beginning in 1967, the full state name Pennsylvania was relocated to a small yellow space in the top blue border of the plate.  The plate type legend was simply Dealer, followed by the four-digit year.  New and used car dealer plates were again distinguished only by the serial prefix letters A and B, respectively. 

1965 transit dealers (C prefix)

The undated 1965 plate was the last year for this obscure plate type.  These had a generic Pa Dealer legend and were issued in small numbers.  Serial format continued to be C00-00x.  Like all 1965 plates, they were undated.  Again, I don't really know what a "transit dealer" was. 

1966-1970 motor vehicle businesses (C prefix)

The motor vehicle business plate type debuted in 1966, replacing the miscellanous dealer plate that used the "X" serial prefix, and probably also the obscure transit dealer plate that used the "C" prefix.  Motor vehicle business plates inherited the C00-00x serial format from the transit dealer plate type. 

1966 plates bore the text Pa MV Business 1966 above the serial number; beginning in 1967, the full state name Pennsylvania was relocated to a small yellow space in the top blue border of the plate.  The remainder of the plate type legend was changed to M.V. Business, with periods added, followed by the four-digit year. 

Although motor vehicle business plates were manufactured with succesive years embossed on them, for reasons unknown, a significant number of apparently leftover 1966 motor vehicle business plates were issued during the years 1967-1969, especially in 1967.  These plates had passenger car plate stickers affixed, usually right over top of the last two digits of the embossed year 1966.  Why exactly this was done remains a mystery. 

Tractor dealers (TX prefix)

Dealers of farm tractors and similar equipment continued to be issued with prefix letters "TX" during these years.  The undated 1965 plates continued with the legend Pa Tractor without the word "Dealer", but the dated 1966 through 1970 plates used the word "Dealer" without the word "Tractor". 

Motorcycle dealers

1965 motorcycle dealer plates were undated and continued with the stacked letters "M/C/D" on the right side.  The 1966 through 1970 plates had an embossed two-digit year in the bottom left corner, similar to the 1962 and 1964 motorcycle dealer plates.  Beginning in 1967, the stacked letters were changed to "D/L/R", and the embossed word Motorcycle was added to the bottom edge of the plate. 

New and used car dealers

New and used car dealer plates continued with the "A" and "B" serial prefixes, respectively, but went to a seven-character serial format x00-000x where the suffix letters were always the same as the prefix letters.  In other words, new car dealer plates always used serial format A00-000A and used car dealer plates always used format B00-000B.  Both types used the legend Dealer and so cannot be distinguished except for the serial letters. 

Additional versions

Motor vehicle businesses

The motor vehicle business plate type serial format was changed similarly to those of new and used car dealers.  Motor vehicle business plates therefore used a C00-000C serial format during these years.  The plate type legend continued to be M.V. Business. 

Tractor dealers

Tractor dealer plates went to a D00-000D serial format and used a Dealer legend.  Other than the serial letters, they looked just like new and used car dealer plates. 

Trailer dealers

Trailer dealer plates were apparently a new dealer type probably introduced in 1971, or, obviously, no later than 1972.  Serial format was E00-000E.  I don't know what type of plate a trailer dealer would have used before this. 

Motorcycle dealers

1971 motorcycle dealer plates continued to have a state map border, the stacked letters "D/L/R" along the right edge, and all-numeric serials.  The 1971 through 1974 plates had an embossed, veritcal two-digit year in the lower left corner, and were reissued annually.  Like other dealer plate types, an undated base plate was issued in 1975, with a 1975 sticker affixed.  I believe that these weren't renewed with a subsequent sticker in 1976, but rather a new undated plate with a 1976 sticker was issued. 

1974 snowmobile dealers

Metal registration plates for snowmobile dealers were only issued for one year, 1974.  These resembled motorcycle dealer plates, but were colored white on navy and had the legend Snowmobile at the top.  Snowmobile dealer plates are covered in more detail on the Pennsylvania motorcycle plates page. 

New and used car dealers

New and used car dealer plates continued with the A00-000A and B00-000B serial formats, respectively.  Both types used the legend Dealer and so cannot be distinguished except for the serial letters.  In 1977 and 1978, new plates were issued each year, with the embossed four-digit year following the plate type legend. 

Beginning in 1979, undated plates were issued, with stickers used to indicate the registration period.  The 1979 stickers on dealer plates all seem to have serial number PA0000.  I don't think this was the case in subsequent years, as dealer plates used the same stickers as passenger cars bearing the expiration month.  I'm not sure about this, but I think that all existing dealer plates retained March expirations as the state converted to staggered registrations in 1980.  Probably, then, no 1980 stickers were issued to dealer plates, as the 1979 sticker expired in March 1980, and the MAR 1981 sticker obviously expired in March 1981.  Newly-issued dealer plates could expire in other months. 

Auto manufacturers

This plate type existed only on the reflective yellow base.  It was created specifically for Volkswagen, which operated an assembly plant in western Pennsylvania between about 1978 and 1990.  The plate bore the legend Auto Manufacturer which ran across the entire bottom of the plate.  The serial format was the same as that used for new car dealer plates, A00-000A, with known numbers only in the 38-800 and 38-900 series.  I presume these numbers were not issued on the new car dealer plate type. 

Motor vehicle businesses

The motor vehicle business plate type continued with the C00-000C serial format and M.V. Business legend.  Like dealer plates, dated 1977 and 1978 plates were issued, and then an undated base plate was issued in 1979 with a 1979 sticker affixed; I believe that undated yellow motor vehicle business plates, renewed with stickers, could be used until 2000. 

Tractor dealers

Tractor dealer plates continued with a D00-000D serial format and used a Dealer legend.  Other than the serial letters, they looked just like new and used car dealer plates. 

Trailer dealers

Trailer dealer plates continued with an E00-000E serial format and used a Dealer legend.  Other than the serial letters, they looked just like new and used car dealer plates.  (Incidentally, the smudges on the plate shown at left are fingerprints in blue paint, apparently put there during the manufacturing process.) 

Motorcycle dealers

1977 motorcycle dealer plates cotinued to have the stacked letters "D/L/R" along the right edge, and have all-numeric serials.  However, the 1977 plate had an embossed, veritcal "77" in the lower left corner, and was used for only one year.  A similar plate with an embossed year was issued for 1978.  Starting in 1979, undated base plates were issued and were validated with stickers through 2000. 

Moped dealers

Moped dealer plates were also made on the yellow base.  These looked just like motorcycle dealer plates except for the Moped legend at the bottom.  Serials were all-numeric.  A dated 1978 plate was issued; those issued in 1979 and subsequently were undated and were validated with stickers.  I do not believe there were any 1977 moped dealer plates. 

Regular dealers

Pennsylvania decided to merge the new and used car dealer plate types, and probably other dealer plate types as well, into a single plate type on the blue base. 

In any case, since relatively few tractor dealer plates in serial format D00-000D and few trailer dealer plates in format E00-000E had been issued on the yellow base, the state began issuing these general-purpose dealer plates in the familiar x00-000x format, presumably beginning in the "D" series probably at a point after the highest tractor dealer plate issued on the yellow base.  Through the years, the "D" series was used up, and the numbering continued into the "E" series, probably skipping the numbers used for yellow trailer dealer plates, and then into the "F" series.  It looks like the state name and plate type description switched places somewhere between plate numbers D27-208D and D41-077D. 

However, I'm aware of the existence of a very high-numbered "A" series dealer plate on this base.  I don't know whether the state used up whatever remaining "A" series (and perhaps also "B" series) plate numbers there were before issuing "D" series plates as general-purpose dealer plates, or whether blue base "A" series plates were actually issued as new car dealer plates, and the merging of the various dealer types occurred after the introduction of the blue base. 

Multi-purpose dealers

This type made its debut some years after the blue base was introduced.  Beats me how it was type was used – I've read the Pennsylvania motor vehicle code subsection addressing this plate type, and I can't make any sense of it.  I think it may be that multi-purpose dealer plates may be used on vehicles actually titled to the dealership, while regular dealer plates may not.  In any case, these plates had the legend Dealer-Multi Purpose in mixed case letters embossed along the top, and used serial format MP0000D. 

Farm equipment dealers

The farm equipment dealer type essentially replaced the old tractor dealer plate type.  This type made its debut some years after the blue base was introduced.  These plates had the legend Dealer-Farm Equip. along the top of the plate, and used serial format FE0000D. 

Regular trailer dealers

This plate type is reported to have been introduced in about 1995, roughly 12 years after the introduction of the blue base.  Yellow base E-series trailer dealer plates would probably have still been valid, but I don't know whether a trailer dealer needing a plate in 1994 would have been issued a leftover yellow E-series dealer plate, a blue regular dealer plate, or something else.  In any case, blue base trailer dealer plates bore the legend Trailer Dealer in mixed-case letters along the top of the plate, and had serial format TD0000D. 

Watercraft trailer dealers

This plate type is also reported to have been introduced in about 1995.  The comments immediately above regarding what type of plate would have been used before 1995 apply to this type as well.  Details are scant, but I believe blue base watercract trailer dealer plates bore the legend Watercraft Tlr / Dlr in mixed-case letters along the top of the plate, and had serial format WD00000. 

Why did Pennsylvania think it necessary to distinguish between regular, non-watercraft trailer dealers and watercraft trailer dealers?  I think the difference may be that boat dealers can use this plate type on boat trailers owned by and titled to the business as well as on untitled trailers for sale, while regular trailer dealers may only use their plates on untitled trailers for sale. 

Repair/Service Towing and Repair Towing

This plate type was one of several split out from the previous motor vehicle businss plate type at the time that the blue base was introduced.  While these were seen on tow trucks, they are actually a type of motor vehicle business plate rather than a type of truck plate.  These plates were issued to vehicle repair and/or towing companies and were not assigned to a specific vehicle.  The plates could be legally used either on vehicles owned by the business, or on unregistered customer-owned vehicles being test-driven or moved. 

There were several different versions of this plate made on the blue base.  The legend was originally Rep/Ser Towing, but this was later simplified to just Repair Towing.  Some versions used a mixed-case state name, while others had the usual upper-case state-name.  Serial format was consistently RS-00000 on this base. 

Summary of repair(/service) towing plate versions issued mid-1980s thru 1999 Screened, widely spaced Rep / Ser Towing; upper case state name Embossed Rep/Ser Towing; mixed case state name Embossed Rep/Ser Towing; upper case state name Embossed Repair Towing; upper case state name

Reposessors

The reposessor plate was another of several types split out from the previous motor vehicle business plate type at the time that the blue base was introduced.  I gather that these were issued to both automotive finance companies and those involved in recovering vehicles used as collateral for delinquent loans, for the purposes of driving such recovered vehicles that were between owners.  Serial format was RE-00000.  The legend Reposessor appeared along the top edge of the plate. 

Salvage yard operators

The salvage yard plate was also split out from the previous motor vehicle business plate type at the time that the blue base was introduced.  I presume these were issued to operators of automotive junkyards in order to enable them to move driveable vehicles.  It's entirely possible that these plates could have also been used on trucks or other vehicles owned by the salvage yard, similar to the repair/service towing plate type above.  Serial format was WL-00000.  I have no idea what the letters "WL" are supposed to stand for. 

There were several different versions of this plate made on the blue base.  Early issues had the words Salvage Yard screened at the top, while subsequent versions had these words embossed.  Some versions used a mixed-case state name, while others had the usual upper-case state-name. 

Transporters

The transporter plate type was yet another of several split out from the previous motor vehicle business plate type at the time that the blue base was introduced.  I presume these were issued to businesses engaged in driving otherwise unregistered vehicles.  Fellow plate collector Clayton Moore reports that transporter plates "are used by auto auctions to 'transport' repos and lease turn-ins to auction." I suspect this is but one of several ways such plates were used.  Serial format DT-00000 and the legend Transporter in upper-case letters identify this plate type. 

Fleet transporters

This type made its debut some years after the blue base was introduced.  My understanding of the fleet transporter plate type is that it is issued to businesses that own large fleets of vehicles, such as rental car companies.  This plate could be moved from one vehicle to another, and would enable the business to drive a vehicle that had not yet been registered.  Serial format FL0000T and the legend Fleet Transporter in upper-case letters identify this plate type. 

Motorcycle dealers and moped dealers

I have no information about motorcycle dealer plates being issued on the yellow-on-blue base.  They very well may have been, however.  I've pretty certain that moped dealer plates were not issued on this base; they continued to be issued on the previous yellow base. 

Regular dealers

Dealer plates continued with the x00-000x serial format.  For some reason, the "G" series was skipped, and the fade band plates were first issued in "H" series and then the "J" series.  Fade band plates were issued up about serial J37-999J and had a dash separator; solid band plates introduced in 2005 started at at about J38-000J and use a keystone separator.  The high for this plate type is currently in the "K" series as of May 2013. 

Multi-purpose dealers

Beats me how this plate type was used – I've read the Pennsylvania motor vehicle code subsection addressing this plate type, and I can't make any sense of it.  I think it may be that multi-purpose dealer plates may be used on vehicles actually titled to the dealership, while regular dealer plates may not.  The legend Dealer-Multi Purpose continues in embossed mixed-case letters, but has been moved to the bottom of the plate.  Serial format continues as MP0000D. 

Farm equipment dealers

These plates have the legend Dealer-Farm Equip. along the bottom of the plate, and serial format FE0000D. 

Regular trailer dealers

Regular (non-watercraft) trailer dealer plates have the legend Trailer Dealer in mixed-case letters along the bottom of the plate, and serial format TD0000D.  Serial numbers started higher than were used on the previous base.  I spotted this unstickered fade-band base in use in 2022, leading me to speculate that this plate type is not yet being issued on the solid-band base. 

Watercraft trailer dealers

Watercract trailer dealer plates bear the legend Watercraft Tlr / Dlr in mixed-case letters along the bottom of the plate, and use serial format WD00000. 

Why did Pennsylvania think it necessary to distinguish between regular, non-watercraft trailer dealers and watercraft trailer dealers?  I think the difference may be that boat dealers can use this plate type on boat trailers owned by and titled to the business as well as on untitled trailers for sale, while regular trailer dealers may only use their plates on untitled trailers for sale. 

Transporters

I presume these are issued to businesses engaged in driving otherwise unregistered vehicles that don't qualify for one of the other plate types.  Fellow plate collector Clayton Moore reports that transporter plates "are used by auto auctions to 'transport' repos and lease turn-ins to auction." I suspect this is but one of several ways such plates are used.  Serial format continues as DT-00000, with the numbers higher than were issued on the previous blue base. 

Fleet transporters

My understanding of the fleet transporter plate type is that it is issued to businesses that own large fleets of vehicles, such as rental car companies.  This plate could be moved from one vehicle to another, and would enable the business to drive a vehicle that had not yet been registered.  Serial format FL0000T and the legend Fleet Transporter in upper-case letters identify this plate type. 

Repair Towing

While these are seen on tow trucks, they are actually a type of motor vehicle business plate, rather than a type of truck plate.  These plates are issued to vehicle repair and/or towing companies and are not assigned to a specific vehicle.  The plates can be legally used either on vehicles owned by the business, or on unregistered customer-owned vehicles being test-driven or moved. 

Serial format is RT-00000 on both the fade base and the solid band base. 

Reposessors

I gather these are issued to both automotive finance companies and those involved in recovering vehicles used as collateral for delinquent loans, for the purposes of driving these recovered vehicles.  Serial format continued as RE-00000. 

Salvage yard operators

I presume these are issued to operators of automotive junkyards in order to enable them to move driveable vehicles.  It's entirely possible that these plates may also be used on trucks or other vehicles owned by the salvage yard, similar to the repair towing plate type above.  Serial format continued as WL-00000, and the plate type legend continued as Salvage Yard.  I have no idea what the letters "WL" are supposed to stand for. 

Motorcycle dealers

Motorcycle dealer plates have the embossed letters MCD at the bottom center of the plate.  On the fade base, serials were all-numeric and four digits, with serial numbers higher than those of the earlier base(s) still in use.  The solid band base was introduced in about 2006, and on it the serial format is 000x, with the letter advancing after all of the numbers have advanced. 

Moped dealers

On the tri-color fade base introduced in 1999, moped dealer plates have a four-digit numeric serial, and the embossed letters MPD at the bottom edge of the plate to identify the plate type.  To date, there have been no moped dealer plates spotted on the tri-color solid band base. 

New and used vehicle dealers

The state has once again split out distinct plate types for new vs. used vehicle dealers.  New vehicle dealer plates have a yellow line drawing of a car on a blue rectangular background and use numbering format N/D 00000.  Used vehicle dealer plates have the same line drawing of a car but with reversed colors, blue on yellow, and have numbering format P/R 00000.  I presume these prefix letters stand for "New Dealer" and "PRe-owned", respectively.  Both types used the screened legend Dealer at the bottom, and so cannot be distinguished except for the graphic colors and prefix letters. 

Multipurpose dealers

Again, I really don't understand how this plate type is used – I've read the Pennsylvania motor vehicle code subsection addressing this plate type, and I can't make any sense of it.  The graphic depicts four vehicles:  the same car used on new and used dealer plates, and three different kinds of trucks.  I don't know if this graphic provides any clue as to the purpose of the plate.  The legend Multipurpose (now a single word) is screened along the bottom of the plate.  Numbering format is now M/P 00000. 

Regular trailer dealers

Regular (non-watercraft) trailer dealer plates have the legend Trailer Dealer screened in all-cap letters along the bottom of the plate, and serial format T/D 00000.  The graphic on the left side of the plate depicts four different types of trailers, none of them watercraft trailers. 

Repair Towing

While these are seen on tow trucks, they are actually a type of motor vehicle business plate, rather than a type of truck plate, as they are not assigned to a specific vehicle.  The plates can be legally used either on vehicles owned by the business, or on unregistered customer-owned vehicles being test-driven or moved. 

On this base, the numbering format is 00000 R/T, the text Repair Towing is screened along the bottom, and the graphic consists of a blue traditional-design tow truck on a yellow rectangular background. 

Reposessors

I gather these are issued to both automotive finance companies and those involved in recovering vehicles used as collateral for delinquent loans, for the purposes of driving these recovered vehicles.  Serial format continued as R/E 00000, but now with stacked prefix letters and no hyphen.  The text Reposessor is screened along the bottom, and the graphic consists of a white flatbed truck (presumably a "rollback" truck used to recover and transport vehicles) on a blue rectangular background. 

Salvage yard operators

I presume these are issued to operators of automotive junkyards in order to enable them to move driveable vehicles.  It's entirely possible that these plates may also be used on trucks or other vehicles owned by the salvage yard, similar to the repair towing plate type above.  On this base, the numbering format is now S/Y 00000, and the plate type legend continued as Salvage Yard but is now screened.  The graphic is the same as on repair towing plates, but with the colors reversed; a yellow traditional-design tow truck on a blue rectangle. 

Moped dealers

On this base, moped dealer plates have the text Moped Dealer screened at the bottom, a very tiny graphic (not in a rectangle) of a moped on the left, and a numbering format of 0000 M/P/D with the letters stacked vertically at the right.