Rick Kretschmer's License Plate Archives 

State-issued Pennsylvania motorcycle plates made their debut in 1914.  Prior to then, motorcycle owners were required to furnish their own license plates.  Like all other plate types, 1914 and 1915 motorcycle plates were made of porcelain. 

Motorcycle plates from these two years had the state abbreiation Pa in the top left corner, and the four-digit year displayed vertically below.  There was always a single lead zero in the serial number.  I can only guess that this was done in order to distinguish motorcycle plate numbers from car and truck plate numbers, but this practice was discontinued after 1915.  These plates were 4 1/2 inches high, and the length varied depending on the number of serial digits. 

Regular motorcycles

Through at least 1929, serials were all-numeric, without any lead zeroes, and could have up to five digits.  Possibly beginning in 1930, and definitely by 1931, serial numbers had a maximum of four characters, and could either be all-numeric or have a letter prefix. 

Motorcycle dealers

These are known to exist as early as 1923.  Like full-sized dealer plates, motorcycle dealer plates were identified with a letter "X" in the serial number during these years.  I believe the "X" was always a prefix. 

Motorbikes

I believe that what was called a motorbike was actually a motorized bicycle.  It's a bit unclear whether motorbike plates were issued prior to 1934, and if they were, what these plates looked like.  According to some accounts, motorbike plates were first issued in 1922, and through 1933 had a letter "O" serial prefix.  The "O" was full-sized and looked like it could be a zero in some years, and was smaller than the actual numbers in other years.  Such plates are known to exist from 1922, 1927, 1931, and 1933.  Like regular motorcycle plates, these have no text to identify the plate type. 

On full-sized plates, the letter "O" prefix was used on plates for commercial passenger vehicles such as buses and taxis; beginning in 1927 it was smaller than the numbers.  Therefore, it's not completely unreasonable to conclude that "O" prefix small plates could be for commercial motorcycles.  However, based on evidence I've seen, I think it's far more likely that "O" prefix small plates are indeed motorbike plates. 

Commercial motorcycles

According to one report, commercial motorcycle plates were introduced approximately in 1930, and were supposedly identified only with a letter "C" prefix in the serial through 1937.  These do exist, and they didn't have any text to identify the plate type, either.  However, this format also fits the description of a regular motorcycle plate, so I'm not totally convinced that C-prefixed small plates were anything other than regular motorcycle plates.  Another report states thart commercial motorcycle plates weren't introduced until 1938, and there's no question about the existence of 1938 plates. 

Regular motorcycles

Motorcycle plates were identified with the letters "M/C", which were stcaked 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.  Serials had a maximum of four characters; they were numeric up to 9999, and then used a letter prefix. 

Motorcycle dealers

Motorcycle dealer plates lost the "X" in the serial number, and now instead were identified by the stacked letters "M/C/D".  The stacked letters were in the same position as on regular motorcycle plates. 

Motorbikes

Beginning in 1934, motorbike plates were readily identifiable.  They looked exactly like motorcycle plates, except that they had the stacked letters "M/B" rather than "M/C" on the side of the plate.  Serials were all-numeric, and did not use a lead zero. 

Commercial motorcycles

Commercial motorcycles are reported to have continued to be identified with a letter "C" prefix in the serial number.  However, this format also fits the description of a regular motorcycle plate.  The same stacked letters "M/C" used on regular motorcycle plates were also used on C-prefixed plates.  Therefore, I'm not totally convinced that C-prefixed motorcycle plates were anything other than regular motorcycle plates. 

Regular motorcycles

With this plate design, the plate type legend "M/C" was stacked vertically, now consistently on the right side of the plate, while the two-digit year and the state abbreviation were each stacked vertically on the left side of the plate.  Serial numbers were limited to a maximum of four characters, and could be all-numeric or have a single letter prefix followed by up to three numeric digits.  If the "C" prefix ever had any special meaning in the early-to-mid 1930s, by 1938 it was just like any other letter prefix used on regular motorcycle plates. 

Motorcycle dealers

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

Motorbikes

Motorbike plates were readily identifiable; they looked exactly like motorcycle plates, but had the stacked letters "M/B" rather than "M/C" on the side of the plate.  Serials could be all-numeric, or beginning no later than 1947, could have a letter prefix.  This plate type was last issued in 1949. 

Note that motorcycle-like plates with the stacked letters "M/B" dated between 1955 and 1963 are not motorbike plates, but rather are motorboat plates.  These are addressed separately, below. 

Commercial motorcycles

There's no question that this plate type existed by 1938.  It had the stacked legend Comm / MC / PAyy on the left part of the plate, where "yy" indicates the two-digit registration year.  Serial numbers could be up to three numeric digits.  This type was issued through 1949, and was then discontinued. 

Regular motorcycles

On regular motorcycle plates, the stacked plate type "M/C" continued to be placed vertically along the right edge.  The 1958 base was renewed with passenger car stickers through 1962.  A new base was employed for 1963 and replaced the 1958 base.  The 1963 base was identical to the 1958, except for the stamped year, obviously, and the absense of any tab slots.  Even the colors were unchanged, and were again  yellow on blue .  The 1963 base was renewed with a passenger car sticker in 1964, after which it was replaced with another new base for 1965. 

All-numeric and alpha-prefix serial number formats such as x000 continued unchanged from previous years on both the 1958 and 1963 bases.  However, because these plates were used for multiple years, additional formats were pressed into service as well.  On the 1958 base, these included 000x, 0x00, and 00x0, issued in that order.  On the 1963 base, only 0x00 was used after the all-numeric and alpha-prefix formats were used up. 

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.  Motorcycle dealer 1958 base plates were renewed with stickers for 1959 through 1961.  A new base was issued in 1962 with the embossed year in the lower left corner; this was renewed with a sticker for 1963.  In 1964, another new dated base was issued, but was used only for one year.  The 1962 and 1964 bases were also  yellow on blue  and were identical to the 1958, except for the stamped year, obviously, and the absense of tab slots. 

Regular motorcycles

The 1965 base was renewed through 1970; renewal stickers were again placed in the upper left corner of the plate, and were the same as passenger car renewal stickers.  On this base, the all-numeric format and all of the possible one-letter serial formats were used and exhausted, and beginning in about 1966, a new format x00x was pressed into service and was then also exhausted.  Then, probably in late 1967, a five-character serial format 0x000 was introduced.  This longer serial required that the stacked "M/C" plate type identifier be removed, and instead the legend Motorcycle was added along the bottom edge of the plate. 

Motorcycle dealers

1965 motorcycle dealer plates had similar changes as regular motorcycle plates; they were undated and had the stacked letters "M/C/D" on the right side.  However, rather than renewing the 1965 base with stickers, new motorcycle dealer plates were issued annually.  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.  Motorcycle dealer plate colors matched those of regular motorcycle plates. 

Regular motorcycles

The 1971 base was undated, and was used without a sticker during the first registration year.  The plate was valdiated with passenger car stickers for 1972 through 1976.  The initial serial format on the 1971 base was 0x000, and then formats 00x00 and 000x0 were subsequently introduced and exhausted.  Late in the life of this base, a new format x000x was pressed into service.  This format was only issued for natural 1976 registrations on this base, and on the ones I've seen, the first character was an "A" or a "C".  I don't know whether any were made with a first character of "B", but it's likely there were. 

Motorcycle dealers

1971 motorcycle dealer plates cotinued to have the stacked letters "D/L/R" along the right edge, and have all-numeric serials.  However, the 1971 plate had an embossed, veritcal "71" in the lower left corner, and was used for only one year.  New plates with embossed years were issued for 1972, 1973, and 1974.  In 1975, an undated base plate was issued but was used with a 1975 sticker.  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. 

Regular motorcycles

The blue-on-yellow 1977 base progressed throught the same three single-letter serial formats as did the 1971 base, but when these were exhausted in the early 1980s, a new 0xx0x format was introduced.  On the latter format, the first letter was always an "A" on this base.  This base was probably last issued in 1983 with a natural 1984 expriation date.  However, it could continue to be renewed through 2000. 

The 1977 base with serial format 0x000 may appear to be identical in appearance with plates issued between 1968 and 1970 in this same format.  However, while the earlier plates were painted yellow, the 1977 base was made with reflective yellow sheeting.  Unstickered yellow plates in this format, such as the example shown at left, were only valid for use during the 1977 registration year; the base introduced in 1968 was always used with stickers. 

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.  In 1979, an undated base plate was issued with a 1979 sticker, and then validated in subsequent years with additional stickers through 2000. 

Regular mopeds

Moped plates were introduced in 1977 or shortly afterwards.  On the yellow 1977 base, they're quite similar to motorcycle plates, except that the serial number formats are different, and they have the legend Moped at the bottom edge.  It appears that serial formats Ax000, 000Ax, and 000Bx were issued in that order. 

Apparently, moped plates were never made on the blue base introduced for motorcycles in 1983, and the yellow 1977 base continued to be issued for new moped registrations through 1999, with natural expiration dates through 2000. 

Moped dealers

Moped dealer plates were also made on the yellow base, but apparently not on the subsequent blue 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 don't know if there was a 1977 moped dealer plate. 

Regular motorcycles

In 1983, the colors of newly-manufactured motorcycle plate were reversed to correspond with changes made to passsenger car and other plate types.  The locations of the state abbreviation Penna and plate type Motorcycle were flipped for the same reason, so the state name now appeared at the bottom of the plate.  The only serial format used on this base was 0xx0x, and the serial numbers continued uninterupted from the previous base, starting in the mid-A series.  This base was last issued in 2000 with natural 2001 expiration dates and got up to about the late-S series; it could be renewed through 2002. 

Motorcycle dealers

I have no information about motorcycle dealer plates being issued on the yellow-on-blue base.  They very well may have been, however. 

Motorcycle vanity registrations

Vanity motorcycle plates were introduced on the blue base, although I don't know exactly when.  A maximum of five characters were allowed, plus either a space or dash separator if desired. 

Regular motorcycles

The tri-color fade base was issued between 1999 and 2005 with natural expirations between 2000 and 2006.  It continues to be renewed today.  Regular motorcycles have the letters MC embossed at the bottom center of the plate.  The only serial format on this base was xxx00, which began with serial AAA00 and continued to the late N-series.  Initially, the serial was offset to the right to allow placement of the expiration sticker along the left edge.  Later, somewhere in either the very late G-series or the H-series, the serial was centered, and bikers were apparently instructed to place the sticker in the lower left corner of the plate. 

In conformance with changes made to passenger car and other plate types, the tri-color solid band (or stripe) base was introduced in 2005 with natural 2006 expirations.  The letters MC continued to be embossed at the bottom center of the plate to identify the plate type.  Serials continued where they had left off on the fade base, in format xxx00 starting in the P-series.  In the summer of 2009, plate number ZZZ99 was issued, and a new format 0000x was introduced. 

In the spring of 2010, reportedly somewhere in the middle of the 0000L series, a revised base was introduced with the web site address LiveFreeRideAlive.com screened at the bottom, replacing the previous embossed MC.  However, this web address, along with the placement of the serial characters, leaves no place on the plate for placement of the registration sticker without covering either the state name, the embossed serial number, or the web address.  This design was used until somewhere in the middle of the 0000T series. 

In about July 2011, motorcycle plates again began being issued with the embossed letters MC at the bottom of the plate, starting in the midst of the 0000T series.  However, these plates differ from the earlier solid band base "MC" plates in that the serial characters are more widely spaced, with less space between the serial characters and the edge of the plate.  This is actually much more noticeable of a difference than you'd think.  The letters "MC" also appear to be slightly larger and more widely spaced than before. 

In about June 2012, the 0000x format was used up, and motorcycle plates were issued in format x0000, continuing the wide spacing of the plate number characters.  This format also ran out of numbers, and so another new format 0xx00 was introduced in about July 2015. 

Vertical motorcycle plates

In March 2014, the state began offering motorcycle plates that are oriented vertically, rather than horizontally.  Unfortunately, I don't have a photo to show you, but trust me, these are strange looking and hard-to-read plates.  They're the same size as regular motorcycle plates, but have the blue and yellow bands along the short sides of the plate.  The state name is spelled out in full, but uses a much smaller font in order to fit.  The letters MC at the bottom of the plate are screened, not embossed.  The plate numbering format is M0x0C, with the first and last letters constant, and the characters stacked one atop the other.  It appears that both numeric digits advance before the variable letter does.  The dies for the serial characters are much, much smaller than those used on regular motorcycle plates, leaving much white space along both sides of the plate, and obviously making the plate number rather difficult to read.  Vanity plate numbers are also available on vertical plates. 

Motorcycle dealers

Motorcycle dealer plate have the embossed letters MCD at the bottom center of the plate.  On the fade base, serials were all-numeric and four digits, and started at 7000 so as not to conflict with 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. 

Regular mopeds

On both the tri-color fade base introduced in 1999, and the tri-color solid band (or stripe) base introduced approximately 2007, moped plates have serial format Bx000 and have the embossed letters MP at the bottom edge of the plate to identify the plate type.  The fade base was used for serials in the BA through BL or possibly BM series; apparently all of these had the serial number offset to the right to allow placement of the registration sticker along the left edge. 

The solid band base began in the BN series, and does not provide space along the left edge for the sticker; proper sticker placement is in the lower left corner.  When the Bx000 series was exhausted in mid-2013, moped plate numbers continued into the Cx000 series.  It appears that the spacing of the serial characters on moped plates was not changed as it was on motorcycle plates. 

Moped dealers

On the tri-color fade base introduced in 1999, moped dealer plates have a four-digit numeric serial that began at 4000, 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. 

Motorcycle vanity registrations

Up to five characters are permitted, plus either a space or a dash.  The letters and numbers on some five-character vanity plates, such as the one shown at left, were offset to the right, but others were not.  In mid-2010, these also began appearing with the legend LiveFreeRideAlive.com.  I'm sure these are now once again being made with the embossed letters MC at the bottom.  Vanity plate numbers with up to five characters are also available on vertical motorcycle plates.  Probably those cannot accommodate a space or dash on five character plate numbers. 

Military veteran motorcyclists

This plate type was introduced in late 2004 on the tri-color solid band base.  It's similar to regular motorcycle plates, but the serial format is V0000, and the legend Veteran is embossed at the bottom center of the plate.  The registration sticker goes at the bottom left corner, as there's no space to the left of the serial number on these. 

Handicapped motorcyclists

This plate type was introduced in late 2007 on the tri-color solid band base.  The plate has the wheelchair symbol screened on the left side of the plate, with the very small letters "P" and "D" above and on either side of the wheelchair symbol.  The serial format is P00x.  What's odd about this plate type is that it has the word Motorcycle screened at the bottom of the plate, rather than the embossed letters "MC". 

Prior to the introduction of this plate type, a handicapped motorcyclist would have used a regular motorcycle plate with a state-issued wheelchair symbol sticker affixed to the lower right corner of the plate. 

An antique motorcycle is defined by the state of Pennsylvania as having been manufactured more than 25 years prior to the current model year, and which is substantially in conformity with manufaturer specificaitons and appearance.  Antique motorcycle plates are permanent and are issued for the life of the vehicle while it is owned by the same owner, and therefore do not use expiration stickers.  However, they're only valid for occaisional use. 

Antique motorcycle plates were introduced in the late 1960s or very early 1970s.  Like full-sized antique vehicle plates, they had very few changes made over the years, until recently.  Antique motorcycle plates issued through mid-year 2013 were always 4 1/2 inches by 8 inches, had the state map outline, colored  white on purple , had the legend Antique running vertically down the left side of the plate, and had the very small legends Penna and Motorcycle at either the top or bottom edges of the plate.  Serials numbers were never more than three characters.  Serial formats, according to fellow plate historian John McDevitt, were issued in this sequence:  x00, 00x, 0x0, xx0, and x0x.  The bolt holes were moved further apart somewhere in the middle of the x00 series.  As bolt holes on regular motorcycle plates were moved further apart some time in the mid-1980s, likely this happened on antique motorcycle plates then as well. 

Antique motorcycle plates began to be issued on the tri-color solid band base beginning in about May 2013.  These new antique motorcycle plates are 4 inches by 7 inches in size, use a five-digit numeric serial format reportedly starting at 01000, and have the words Antique MC screened along the bottom of the plate.  On this base, vanity plate numbers are allowed. 

A classic motorcycle is defined as being more than 15 model years old; otherwise, all of the criteria and regulations are the same as for an antique motorcycle, described above. 

Classic motorcycle plates have only been issued within the past few decades.  They were apparently not yet being issued in 1986.  These plates have been essentially unchanged since their introduction.  They've always been 4 1/2 inches by 8 inches, had the state map outline, colored  purple on white , had the legend Classic running vertically down the right side of the plate, and had the very small legends Motorcycle and Penna at the top and bottom edges of the plate, respectively.  The only serial format used to date is C/L0000. 

Sometime between 2013 and 2015, classic motorcycle plates also began to be issued on the tri-color solid band base.  These new classic motorcycle plates are 4 inches by 7 inches in size, and have the words Classic MC screened along the bottom of the plate.  The numbering format continued and numbering was uninterrupted from the previous base, starting at about plate number C/L0900.  On this base, vanity plate numbers are allowed, but, so I've been told, the C/L prefix letters must remain. 

Regular motorboats

Regular motorboat plates had all-numeric serial numbers, apparently starting from 1. 

Motorboat dealers

Motorboat dealer plates have been reported as early as 1933.  It's not known whether they were used before then.  These are identified by their "X" serial prefix. 

Regular motorboats

Regular motorboat plates had all-numeric serial numbers, apparently starting from 1.  Plate dimensions changed over the years.  Between 1937 and 1946, motorboat plates were 5 1/8 inches high by 9 1/2 inches long.  Unlike land vehicles, motorboats were issued actual plates in 1943, rather than add-on metal tabs.  Five-digit serial numbers made their debut in 1947, and from 1947 to 1949, motorboat plates were made 5 1/8 inches high by 11 inches long, in order to accommodate longer serial numbers.  Apparently all motorboat plates were made in this longer size during these three years, even those with serial numbers less than five digits.  1950 through 1954 plates were reduced in size to 4 1/2 inches high by 8 inches long, the same size as motorcycle plates at the time.  1953 motorboat plates could be made of either fiberboard or metal. 

Motorboat dealers

Motorboat dealer plates had an "X" serial prefix, but otherwise looked just like regular motorboat plates. 

Regular motorboats

Regular motorboats had the stacked letter code M/B, which had been previously used on motorbike plates in the 1930s and 1940s, above the stacked two-digit year, along the right edge of the plate.  The expiration date, always March 31 of the following year, was embossed along the top edge, and the state abbreviation Penna was embossed along the bottom.  Serial numbers were all-numeric, apparently starting from 1, and could have up to five digits. 

Motorboat dealers

Motorboat dealer plates had an "X" serial prefix, but otherwise looked just like regular motorboat plates. 

Metal snowmobile plates were only issued for one year, 1974, and only specifically for snowmobile dealers.  These resembled motorcycle dealer plates, and so I've included information about them on this page. 

1974 snowmobile dealer plates were  white on navy ; the state map outline design and 4 1/2 inch by 8 inch plate dimensions were the same as for motorcycle plates.  These had the legend Snowmobile at the top, the state abbreviation Penna at the bottom, and the stacked letters "D/L/R" along the right side.  Serials were most likely only numeric.  Like motorboat plates, these were issued as matched pairs.  It's unknown (to me) how these were supposed to be used or displayed. 

Regular all-terrain vehicles

Regualr ATV plates were apparently introduced sometime around 2001.  They've always been colored green-on-reflective-white, and 4 inches by 7 inches in size, the same as contemporary motorycycle plates.  These plates have the embossed text PA-DCNR at the top, and use a sticker indicating the expiration month and year.  The serial dies are also the same as are used on motorcycle plates.  Expiration dates are indicated on stickers which are unique to ATV plates. 

Class 1 ATVs are the most common; these vehicles are up to 50 inches wide and up to 800 pounds.  Class 1 ATV plates have the embossed legend ATV at the bottom center.  Serial formats were initially 0000x, with the variable letter in the range of A through W.  Subsequent formats were 000x0 followed by 00x00.  There is seemingly contraditory evidence regarding the letter ranges used for Class 1 vs. Class 2 ATV plates in the second serial format. 

Class 2 ATVs exceed 50 inches in width or 800 pounds.  Class 2 ATV plates have the embossed legend ATV-2 at the bottom, and initially used serial format 0000x, where the variable letter is limited to the range X through Z.  It seems that a second format 000x0 is now being used for Class 2 ATV plates.  I'm not clear whether the same X through Z range is reserved for Class 2 ATV plates in this format or not. 

All-terrain vehicle dealers

For reasons which I do not understand, all-terrain vehicle dealers were issued full-sized plates between about 1986 and 2005.  I presume these plates were meant to be used on ATVs rather than street-legal vehicles.  These were colored green on white and were non-reflective, but they used standard Pennsylvania serial dies and state name dies.  The vertical legends DLR and ATV run down the left and right sides of the plate, respectively.  Serial numbers were four digits and all-numeric.  Early issues have a sticker along the bottom edge that reads Dept. of Env. Res. in block letters, while more recent issues have a corresponding sticker with the large letters DCNR and the full name of the agency in much smaller characters. 

In 2006, the full-sized ATV dealer plates were replaced with small plates similar to the regular ATV plates described and shown above.  These are also green on white in color, and have the embossed text PA-DCNR at the top and ATV Dealer along the bottom.  Serial numbers are four digits and all-numeric.  The plates are validated with the same stickers used for regular ATV plates.