PennDOT Form MV-326: Multi-Purpose Dealer Plates Guide – Pennsylvania licensed motor vehicle dealers and manufacturers often need flexible registration options for vehicles used in their business operations. The official solution is PennDOT Form MV-326, the Application for Multi-Purpose Dealer Registration Plates. These specialized plates offer greater flexibility than standard dealer plates while remaining fully compliant with Pennsylvania Vehicle Code requirements.
This comprehensive guide covers everything U.S. dealers and manufacturers need to know about Form MV-326, including eligibility, legal requirements, fees, application steps, and where to download the current official form.
What Is PennDOT Form MV-326?
Form MV-326 is the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) application used by eligible dealers and manufacturers to obtain multi-purpose dealer registration plates. These plates are governed by Section 1336.1 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S. § 1336.1).
Unlike standard dealer plates, multi-purpose dealer registration plates can be used on a wider range of vehicles owned by or in the possession of the dealer or manufacturer, provided specific titling, tax, and weight conditions are met.
The current version of the form is MV-326 (2-25), last updated in February 2025. You can download the official form directly from PennDOT here: Download PennDOT Form MV-326 (PDF).
Who Is Eligible to Apply for Multi-Purpose Dealer Registration Plates?
According to the official PennDOT fact sheet on Multipurpose Dealer Registration Plates, these plates are available to:
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Licensed motor vehicle dealers holding Dealer Identification Numbers (DIN) 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, or 91
Applicants must list information exactly as it appears on their Dealer Authorization Card when completing Form MV-326.
Legal Authority and Permitted Uses
Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1336.1, multi-purpose dealer registration plates may be used on vehicles owned by or in the possession of a dealer or manufacturer, subject to these core requirements:
- The vehicle must be titled in the name of the business or a family member
- Sales and use tax must have been paid
- The vehicle’s weight (including load) must be equal to or less than the gross vehicle weight (GVW) for which the plate was purchased
These plates are most commonly used on commercial trucks, commercial trailers, and motorhomes. Restrictions that normally apply to standard dealer plates under Section 1336 do not apply to multi-purpose plates.
Important Exception for Second-Stage Manufacturers
A key exception exists for vehicles that have never been titled. Multi-purpose dealer plates may be used without titling or payment of sales and use tax when the vehicle:
- Is in the possession of a second-stage manufacturer and is being transported from a dealer or distributor for completion, or delivered to a dealer or distributor upon completion; or
- Is owned or in the possession of a dealer and is being delivered to a second-stage manufacturer for completion or returned to the dealer after completion
A second-stage manufacturer is defined as a person engaged in performing manufacturing operations on an incomplete vehicle produced by a manufacturer.
Key Requirements When Applying with Form MV-326
When completing Form MV-326, applicants must provide:
- Dealer name, address, and Dealer/Business Partner ID number exactly as shown on the Dealer Authorization Card
- Insurance company name, policy number, and effective/expiration dates
- The registered gross or combination weight being requested for each plate
- The number of plates requested for each weight class
- Title number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of each vehicle on which the plate will be used
- If a vehicle is titled in a family member’s name, the relationship must be stated
- Proof of sales and use tax payment if paid directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
The registration card issued with each plate will list the business name and the approved GVW. The driver must carry this card, and the vehicle’s weight must not exceed the listed GVW. Using a plate on a vehicle type that does not match the registration card (for example, a trailer plate on a truck) is not permitted.
Fees for Multi-Purpose Dealer Registration Plates
Fees for multi-purpose dealer registration plates are not a flat rate. Instead, they follow the regular registration fee schedule for the vehicle type and weight class:
- Trucks and truck tractors – fees under Section 1916
- Trailers – fees under Section 1920(a)
- Motorhomes – fees under Section 1913
Applicants must consult the current Form MV-70S – Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees for exact amounts. Fees can change with Consumer Price Index adjustments, so always use the latest version available on the official PennDOT website at www.pa.gov/dmv.
Payment must be made by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Cash is not accepted.
How to Complete and Submit Form MV-326?
- Download the current Form MV-326 from the official PennDOT link provided above.
- Complete Section A with dealer information exactly as shown on your Dealer Authorization Card.
- In Section B, list the desired registered gross or combination weights, number of plates for each weight class, and calculate the total fee using Form MV-70S.
- Provide required insurance information.
- In Section C, list the title numbers or VINs of the vehicles that will use the plates (include family relationships if applicable).
- Sign and date the certification in Section D.
- Attach proof of use tax payment if required and any Form MV-904D if requesting personalization.
- Mail the completed application and payment to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Dealer Section
P.O. Box 68283
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8283
Personalizing Multi-Purpose Dealer Registration Plates
Multi-purpose dealer registration plates may be personalized for an additional fee. To request personalization, complete and attach Form MV-904D (Application for Personalized Dealer Registration Plate) to your MV-326 application.
Personalized multipurpose dealer plates are limited to up to five letters or numbers in combination (a hyphen or space counts as one character). A pre-printed “MP” configuration precedes the personalized characters and cannot be changed. Check availability through PennDOT’s personalized plate tool on www.pa.gov/dmv.
What Happens After You Submit the Application?
Once PennDOT processes Form MV-326 and the required fees, the dealer or manufacturer receives one registration card for each multi-purpose dealer registration plate issued. Each card displays the business name and the approved gross vehicle weight. This card must be in the possession of the driver whenever the vehicle is operated with the multi-purpose plate.
Why Choose Multi-Purpose Dealer Plates?
These plates are especially useful for dealers and manufacturers who own multiple vehicles (such as trucks or trailers) but do not operate all of them on the road at the same time. Because the fee matches the regular registration fee for the chosen weight class, there is little cost advantage when only one vehicle is involved. The real benefit is operational flexibility across multiple titled vehicles under a single plate type.
Official Resources and Contact Information
- Official Form MV-326: Download here
- Multipurpose Dealer Registration Plates Fact Sheet: Available on the PennDOT website
- Fee Schedule (MV-70S): Current MV-70S
- PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services: www.pa.gov/dmv
- Regulated Client Services Section phone: (717) 705-1162
- General customer service: 717-412-5300 (TTY: 711)
Always verify information and download forms directly from official Pennsylvania government sources to ensure you are using the most current versions. Requirements and fees are subject to change.