A Pictorial History of Maryland License Plates
Truck Plates Dated 1910 to Present

Trucks and truck tractors

1910-1916 trucks and truck tractors

• Merchandise Only: This type of plate was only issued during 1910 to 1916. As its name suggests, this category implies a cargo-carrying vehicle rather than a passenger-carrying vehicle, and so it roughly corresponds to a truck plate. No surviving example from 1910 is known. 1911 through 1914 plates were made of porcelain and bore the legend "Merchandise Only" across the bottom of the plate. The 1915 and 1916 were embossed metal; the legend was shortened to "Mdse. Only" and was located along the top of the plate. All 1911 through 1913 plates had an "M" serial prefix; 1914 through 1916 plates did not. Some merchandise only plate examples from each year had an "A" suffix during the "M" prefix years, or an "A" prefix in other years; however, there is not agreement among experts regarding the significance or meaning of the "A". It has been suggested that the "A" stood for agricultural products, or perhaps for automobile (as opposed to truck). My opinion is that in this time period there was not sufficient distinction between a cargo-carrying automobile and a truck to warrant issuing different license plates.

Plate numbers observed - 1911: M610, M703, M773; 1912: M734, M823, M886A; 1913: M1001, M1115A, M1170A, M1580; 1914: 1050, 1317, A1667, A1836; 1915: 2135, 2415

1917-1941 trucks and truck tractors

• Regular trucks: Trucks did not receive distinct plates during these years, although many trucks undoubtedly fell into the "Commercial for Hire" category once that began. From 1919 to 1941, and possibly also in 1917-1918, not-for-hire trucks were issued either solid tire plates (if applicable) or passenger car plates. However, such plates that were issued to trucks with a capacity of 2 tons or greater can be identified by a circular disc rivited to the plate, which bore either a single-digit number or the letter "X". The number on the disc indicated the number of tons the truck could carry, and the "X" probably signified 10 or more tons. Light-duty pneumatic tire trucks not for hire were issued standard passenger plates.

• Commercial for Hire: This category was introduced in 1933 or possibly earlier, and was identified with a stacked C/H prefix or suffix. The "C" referred to a commercial vehicle (a truck), and not any vehicle used for commercial purposes. (Taxis were issued "H" prefix "For Hire" plates.) A subset of 1936 C/H plates were issued with locking strips as described in the passenger section; these were the only non-passenger plates that were made with locking strips.

Plate numbers observed - 1933: C/H 28-943; 1934: 25-338 C/H; 1935: 29-596 C/H; 1936: C/H 25-272 (locking strip)

• Solid Tire: These plates were issued to vehicles with non-pneumatic tires, like you would find on a horse-drawn wagon. From what I understand solid-tire vehicles were usually trucks, but not necessarily. Again, a two-ton or greater solid tire vehicle can be positively identified as a truck by the small circular disk riveted to the plate, such as in the example shown at left. This category was begun in 1917 and is rumored to have continued up until the 1971 base plate. I've seen low-numbered examples from the 1950s. Anyway, these plates bore the legend "Solid Tire" during 1917-1920, were identified with only an "S" serial suffix in 1921, and simply bore the legend "Solid", displayed vertically on either the left or right side of the plate from 1922 on. An "X" prefix was sometimes used during 1917-1920 but the meaning of the "X" is unknown.

Plate numbers observed - 1917: 7-468; 1918: X4-204; 1919: 5-688; 1920: 5-735, 6-328, 6-958, X14-060; 1921: 18-132S, 24-211S, 25-928S; 1925: 21-407 ("Solid" vertical right); 1928: 21-640 ("Solid" vertical left); 1932: 22-901 ("Solid" vertical left)

• Truck tractors: Back in the day, truck tractors were called "traction engines", and so the odd-sounding legend "Traction" was embossed on plates issued to truck tractors. The earliest known issue was 1932. Reportedly at least some "Traction" plates in the 1930s and early 1940s were "shorties" only 9 inches long.

Plate numbers observed - 1932: 243 (9 inches)

1942-1947 trucks and truck tractors

• Regular trucks: It's safe to say that regular trucks were issued passenger car plates prior to 1948. I'm not sure how long the riveted disc thing lasted, but I don't recall seeing any on plates from the 1940s.

• Commericial for Hire: The stacked "C/H" became consistently a prefix. My understanding is that this plate category was for commercial vehicles (trucks) for hire, as passenger cars for hire would receive "H" prefix "For Hire" plates.

Plate numbers observed - 1942 base: C/H 19-377; 1945 base: C/H 28-530

• Solid Tire: The word "Solid" ran down either the left or right edge of the plate.

• Truck tractors: 1942 and presumably 1945 plates had the word "Traction" across the top and "Drive Carefully" across the bottom. The abbreviation "MD", the expiration month and date, and the expiration year were stacked horizontally on the left side of the plate. It's reported that passenger-type renewal tabs were attached to the upper right corner of the plate, even though these did not cover up the original expiration year.

Plate numbers observed - 1942 base: 4-413

• "S/R" truck tractors: 1942 and presumably 1945 plates had the word "Traction" across the top and "Drive Carefully" across the bottom. The abbreviation "MD", the expiration month and date, and the expiration year were stacked horizontally on the left side of the plate, and the stacked suffix "S/R" followed the serial number. The meaning of the "S/R" has been variously reported as "shuttle relay", "special rate", and "state roads"; its purpose is unknown.


1948-1953 trucks and truck tractors

• Regular trucks: Truck plates became readily distinguishable from passenger plates starting with the 1952 expiration plates, due to the embossed expiraiton month reading "April" for trucks as opposed to "March" for cars. Thus, it's easy to spot that 1952 truck plates were limited to serial numbers 800-000 and above.

It seems to be a matter of debate whether truck plates had their own serial ranges prior to the 1952 plates. Some sources say yes; some say no and claim to have photographic evidence that shows trucks with pre-1952 plates bearing low serial numbers. Having seen a good number of old Maryland plates myself, I've never come across one numbered 800-000 or higher until the 1948 base. On the 1948 base, I've seen plenty of plates in the 800-000 and 900-000 series. Therefore, I submit that both camps may be partially correct, and it's quite possible that distinct serial ranges for trucks started with the 1948 plates. I must confess, however, that all of this is mere conjecture on my part.

Plate numbers observed - 1948 base: 809-310, 923-235, 980-726, 994-775; 1952 base: 839-702, 843-302

• Commericial for Hire: One fairly reliable source says that commercial for hire plates continued to use the stacked "C/H" prefix through 1953. But I kept seeing these plates with a small "C" prefix issued on the 1952 base for which I could find either no information regarding their use, or only wild guesses which didn't really add up. Then, when I started keeping track of old Maryland non-passenger plates I'd seen, I began to realize a couple of interesting things: One, I had not seen any C/H prefix plates on the 1948 or 1952 bases, and two, the "C" prefix plates that I saw had the numeric part of their serials fall into the same range as earlier C/H plates.

Well, I've since seen a 1952 base C/H plate, so my earlier theory that the "H" was omitted on 1952 base commercial for hire plates has proven to be incorrect, or at least not completely correct. I still suspect that "C" prefix plates might be late-issue commercial for hire plates, based on the observed serial numbers all falling within the 28-000 series. In past years these plate numbers were used on C/H plates, such as the 1945 base shown above.

Both "C" and C/H prefix plates have also been reported by others on the 1948 base, but some of these sources are the same ones who had what I consider wacky theories about the usage of the "C" plates. So far, I haven't personally come across either of these prefixes on the 1948 base, so as far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out. If "C" plates do exist on the 1948 base, it would lend credibility to the claim that they are a plate type distinct from the C/H commercial for hire plates. But then the mystery would be just deepen unless and until we have a way to definitively uncover the purpose of the "C" plates. Stay tuned.

Plate numbers observed - 1952 base: C/H 25-758, C28-389, C28-458, C28-488, C28-653

• Farm area trucks: The legend "Farm Area Only" was displayed horizontally, one word above the other, on the left portion of this new plate type. Farm Area plates were issued to farm-use motor vehicles (presumably trucks) that could only use public roads within a 10 mile radius of the farm. I do not believe that off-road farm equipment such as tractors and combines were ever required to display license plates, even when they were operated on public roads.

• Farm trucks: This was another new plate type introduced on the 1948 expiration plate. On the 1948 base, the words "Farm" over "Truck" were displayed horizontally on the plate, to the left of the serial. On the 1952 base this was changed, so that "Farm" and "Truck" ran vertically down the left and right edges of the plate, respectively.

Plate numbers observed - 1948 base: 3-392, 3-535; 1952 base: 6-832, 8-011, 11-649

• Solid Tire: These plates continued to be produced, in ever-decreasing numbers, reportedly until 1970. The word "Solid" ran down either the left or right edge of the plate.

• Truck tractors: On the 1948 and 1952 bases, truck tractor plates have the partial word "Trac" running down the left edge of the plate. I guess this works regardless of whether you prefer the term "tractor" or "traction engine".

Plate numbers observed - 1952 base: 7-751

• "S/R" truck tractors: Beginning on the 1948 plate, this odd plate category became more convetional in appearance, with a stacked "S/R" prefix on the left, and the partial word "Trac" running vertically down the right edge. Again, the meaning the of "S/R" is disputed and its purpose unknown.

Plate numbers observed - 1952 base: 6-790

• Farm-use truck tractors: Another new farm truck type. "Farm Tractor" was displayed horizontally, one word above the other, on the left portion of he plate. Based on later issue farm plates and the "Farm Area Only" plates described above, I'm convinced these were not for actual farm tractors but rather for truck tractors used for agricultural purposes.


1954-1970 trucks and truck tractors

• Regular trucks: By "regular", I mean an ordinary truck that doesn't fall into any other category. Regular trucks were assigned the serial formats 00-00-Ex (1954-1964), 0000-Ex (1965-1969), and 0000 Ex (1970). Separators could be dashes, diamonds, or colons. Regular trucks, being Class E vehicles, were assigned serial numbers where the first alphabetic character was always the letter "E", for example "12-34-EA". However, I believe that suffix "EH" was reserved for trucks for hire (see next item). Plates with suffix letters other than "E something" were assigned to other classes of non-passenger vehicles. As with most non-passenger vehicle plates, truck expiration dates (stamped on the plate 1957-1970) were 4-30 rather than 3-31 used for passenger vehicles.

• Commercial for Hire: This type was only issued to trucks for hire, not any and all commercial vehicles for hire. It was the successor to the older C/H and "C" prefix plates. I remember as a kid in the 1960s that the garbage trucks that rolled through my neighborhood bore non-passenger format 00-00-xx and 0000-xx plates, and I believe the suffix letters were sometimes "EH" and sometimes "HE". The trucks were owned by a private business contracted by the county to collect refuse. Other larger trucks also bore H series truck plates. There was no legend to identify specifically what types of truck got H series plates. Since I've been collecting, I've seen several 1954-1970 plates with the "HE" suffix, and also a few expiring in 1966 and later years with the suffix "HF", which I don't specifically recall from my childhood. I believe that both "EH" and "HE" suffixes were used to signify "Class E for Hire", and when both series was exhausted, they just continued with "HF". (I must say I'm not 100% certain about the "EH" plates being for trucks for hire.) This class was discontinued and merged with regular trucks on the 1971 base.

• Dump trucks: Dump truck plates were issued to both actual dump trucks and cement mixer trucks. These plates carried the word "Dump" vertically down the left side of the plate and "Truck" or "Trk" down the right side of the plate. Reportedly "Truck" was used 1954-1956 and "Trk" was used 1957-1970. Serial format was 00-00 1954 to 1964 and 0000 1965 to 1970. Like most other non-passenger types, dump truck plates expired April 30 each year during this time.

• Farm area trucks: These plates were issued to farm-use trucks) that could only use public roads within a 10 mile radius of the farm. (Farm tractors and other farm equipment are not required to bear license plates, even when operated on public roads.) Farm area plates had the words "Farm Area Only" or just "Farm Area" stacked one above the other on the left side of the plate, followed by a numeric serial number on the right side. Issued in small quantities.

• Farm trucks: Vehicles with farm truck plates are not restricted geographically as are those with farm area plates. Farm truck plates were similar in format to dump truck plates. "Farm" ran vertically down the left side, and "Truck" ran down the right side, with serial formats 00-00 or 0000 depending on the year. Also formats x0-00 and x000 were used.

• PSC freight trucks: Apparently these trucks were regulated by the state Public Service Commission and are comparable to the 1976-1987 "motor freight" plates. I don't remember much about them, but if they were anything like motor freight plates, they were used on both straight trucks and truck tractors operated by trucking companies. These plates had "PSC" and "Frt" running down the left and right edges of the plate, respectively. How a PSC freight truck differed from a non-PSC truck for hire, I'm not clear. I'd speculate that PSC freight trucks traveled over specific routes, while other trucks for hire could go wherever they were needed.

• Truck tractors: Truck tractors, presumably of the variety not regulated by the PSC, were issued plates with serial format 00-00 (1954-1964) or 0000 (1965-1970) followed by the legend "Trac" displayed vertically down the right edge of the plate. What type of plate a truck tractor for hire not regulated by the PSC would be issued, I don't know.

• Farm-use truck tractors: "Farm Tractor" was displayed horizontally, one word above the other, on the left portion of the plate. Based on later issue farm plates and the "Farm Area" plates described above, I'm certain that these were not for actual farm tractors but rather for truck tractors used for agricultural purposes. In any event, they were apparently issued in very small numbers. I've only ever seen two of these, and both had a single digit serial number.

• "SR" truck tractors: I honestly don't know what "SR" stood for or meant. I've seen explanations that it stood for Shuttle Relay or Special Rate or State Roads. But even if any of these are correct, there still is no explanation for what these terms actually meant. "SR" truck tractor plates were only slightly less cryptic than their trailer brethern. The serial was S/R00-00 with the legend "Trac" running down the right edge of the plate. I've spotted these plates with 1958 and earlier expiration years only.

• Solid tire vehicles: These were almost always trucks, but not necessarily. They received plates with the word "Solid" running vertically down one side of the plate. Issued in very small numbers.

• "Star" trucks: 1968-1970 expiration plates with an embossed star figure with the legend "Truck" below were issued to local government-owned trucks. These are covered on the History of Maryland Government Plates page.

• State trucks: 1968-1970 expiration plates with the legend "State Truck" were, logically, issued to state government-owned trucks. These are also covered in the History of Maryland Government Plates page.


1971-1975 trucks and truck tractors

• Regular trucks: Regular trucks continued with the serial format 0000 xx begun in 1970, with a space but no separator character. Trucks for hire were merged into this category on this base. Since on the 1970 expiration plate the "E" series suffixes had nearly been exhausted, regular trucks were initially assigned serials with the first alphabetic character "D", and then when that letter was used up, the familiar "E" series returned. But, the 1971 base being a five year plate, all of the "E" combinations were eventually exhausted as well. When that happened, the next available letter was "J", since "F" was being used for truck tractors, and "G" and "H" were for trailers. Some "J" series plates with natural 1975 expirations were made using the serial dies of the 1976 expiration base plates that were being stockpiled.

• Regular truck organizational plates: I kind of remember 1971-1975 regular truck plates with serials in the format 0000 FD; these would be organizational plates assigned to private trucks owned by firefighters. 1971-1975 plates with format 00000 [F/D] where the "FD" is inside an embossed maltese cross, are definitely firefighter organizational personal truck plates. As far as I know, these were the first organizational Maryland truck plates, and the only ones issued on the 1971 base. These truck plates are covered more fully in the 1954-1975 section of the History of Maryland Organizational Plates page.

• Dump trucks: Both actual dump trucks and cement mixer trucks were issued license plates with the words "Dump Truck" embossed horizontally on the left portion of the plate followed by a four-digit serial number in format 0000. Expiration dates continued to be April 30 each year according to one source.

• Farm area trucks: Again, these plates had the words "Farm Area" stacked one above the other on the left side of the plate, followed by a numeric serial number on the right side. "Farm Area" referred to the 10 mile radius around the farm to which vehicles with these plates were limited.

• Farm trucks: Farm trucks that were not geographically limited had license plates with the words "Farm Truck" embossed horizontally on the left portion of the plate, followed by a four-character serial number. The serial was initially in format 0000; when this format was exhausted, then format x000 was begun.

• PSC freight trucks: On the 1971 base, PSC freight truck plates were issued in serial format 0000 FR. There was no identifying legend.

• Truck tractors: Truck tractors not regulated by the PSC also shared the serial format 0000 xx on the dated 1971 base with other non-passenger classes. Truck tractors being Class F vehicles, were assigned serial numbers with the first alphabetic character always "F", starting in the FA series. These got at least up to the FC series, maybe up to the FE series. The FD series was not assigned to truck tractors, but rather, as mentioned above, were firefighter organizational personal truck plates. Plates with format 0000 FR were PSC freight truck plates.

• Farm-use truck tractors: These plates were issued with the words "Farm Tractor" stacked horizontally on the left side of the plate, with a serial number of unknown format on the right side. They were issued to truck tractors used for agricultural purposes, and not for actual farm tractors.

• Solid tire vehicles: It has been reported that a very small number of these plates were produced on the 1971 base, but none were actually issued. The word "Solid" appeared horizontally on the left side of the plate.


1976-1987 trucks and truck tractors

• Regular trucks: Regular trucks as well a number of other non-passenger classes were issued plates with serial format x 00000. The letters assigned to regular trucks were H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, and V. These letters had no special meaning; the serials were simply assigned consecutively through this range of letters. (Letters I, O, Q, and U were not used, and S and T were reserved for state-owned vehicles and farm trucks, respectively.) The R and V series plates were only used on the 1981-1987 black and white bases. The word "Truck" was embossed on the bottom center of the plates. Trucks were not eligible to receive the optional Bicentennial or 350th Anniversary bases.

• Regular truck organizational plates: On the 1976 and 1981 bases, various organizational plates that had special serial formats distinct from those of passenger car plates were available for truck registrations. When issued to a truck, these plates would carry the embossed legend "Truck" at the bottom, just as was done on standard truck plates. Three-character organizational prefix dies were normal-sized on the 1976 base, and were extremely narrow on the 1981 base. These truck plates are covered more fully in the 1976-1987 section of the History of Maryland Organizational Plates page.

• Other types of regular truck plates: On the 1976 and 1981 bases, various special plates that were assigned to a truck rather than a car carried the "Truck" legend at the bottom. These special plate types include vanity plates, and plates issued for amateur radio operators and handicapped persons. These truck plates are addressed more fully in their respective special plate articles.

• Dump trucks: Dump trucks and cement mixers were initially issued plates with serial format DT 0000, and with the legend "Dump Trk" embossed on the bottom center. When this format was exhaused, on the 1981-1987 base, format DT00000 was introduced; however, on these plates the letters "DT" had an extra-narrow font while the numbers were in the standard font. According to fellow plate collector Jeff Ellis, dump truck plate annual expiration dates were shifted to May 31 beginning with 1976 expirations. Dump trucks definitely expired at the end of May by 1986. This was the only class of Maryland plates that expired on a date other than March 31 or April 30 during the years 1939-1986. Also according to Jeff, the state ran out of the pre-staggered era white-on-red 1986 stickers in April 1986 when it still needed them for new dump truck registrations expiring on May 31, 1986. Therefore, some very late-issue all-embossed dump truck plates were issued with the May month sticker and the black-on-white staggered era 1986 sticker. Of course, most of these were probably covered up a month later with the 1987 renewal sticker.

• Farm area trucks: Serial formats 000 and 0000 were used, and the plates bore the embossed legend "Farm Area" at the bottom center, which indicated the location to which such vehicles were restricted. Note: Plates with the legend "Tractor" were used on non-farm truck tractors (the front part of a tractor-trailer).

• Farm trucks: Farm trucks were issued plates with the format T 00000. The legend "Farm Trk" was embossed on the bottom center of the plates. Vehicles with farm truck plates were not geographically restricted.

• Motor freight trucks: These plates had the serial format MF 0000, with the letters MF remaining constant, and had the legend "Mtr Frt" embossed at the bottom center of the plate. This cryptic legend would appear to stand for "motor freight". But what the heck is "motor freight", and how does it distinguish one type of truck from another? It turns out that these plates were the equivalent to the 1954-1970 PSC freight plates, and that "Mtr" is more correctly translated as an abbreviation for the phrase "motor carrier", which is a term that means a commercial vehicle that carries freight or passengers for hire. So the distinction is actually being made between a motor carrier freight truck and a motor carrier bus, which is another plate category. United Parcel Service (UPS) delivery trucks bore motor freight plates during these years, as did truck tractors owned by trucking companies such as Roadway Express. During the 1987 general replacement, all trucks that had previously carried motor freight plates were assigned either regular truck plates or truck tractor plates on the new base.

• Truck tractors: Truck tractors not designated as "motor carriers" were assigned serial format xx 0000 along with several other non-passenger classes. The first letter was always "F", indicating the vehicle class. Prefixes FA, FB, FC, and FE were issued. Prefix FD was still not used, even though it no longer conflicted with Firefighter organizational plates. The word "Tractor" was embossed on the bottom center of the plates.

• Farm-use truck tractors: Truck tractors used for farming were issued plates with the legend "Farm Tk Tr" embossed at the bottom center of the plate. Presumably this stood for "Farm Truck Tractor", which is much more clear in its purpose than the words "Farm Tractor" used on previous bases for this class of vehicle. Serial format was TT 000.

• Tow trucks: Tow trucks had been issued regular truck plates until 1983, then their regular truck plates were recalled and replaced with plates with format 0000 TT and bearing the legend "Tow Truck". Probably format TT 0000 was avoided just in case farm truck tractor plates ever got past serial TT 999. The 1984 expiration plate shown is a natural first-year issue.


1987-present trucks and truck tractors

• Regular trucks: Regular trucks were issued plates the same style of graphic plates, with the script "Maryland" and the shield separator, as were passenger cars. Initially serial format 000*000 was used, starting at serial number 300*000 to avoid duplication with previous-base motorcycle plates still on the road. Once serial 999*999 was reached, the sequence rolled over to 000*001 and continued until it reached 299*999 in 1992 or so, exhausting the format. A new format of 00x*000 was begun and remains in use today. The letter remains constant as the numbers revolve around it. There is no hidden meaning in the letter; the letters are assigned sequentially. The first plate in this format was 00A*001. When 00A*999 was reached, the next serial was 01A*000, then 01A*001, etc. When 99A*999 was reached, the next serial was 00B*001. This format is currently up to the letter V as of July 2007. There is no legend identifying the plate as a truck plate; however, the legend "www.maryland.gov" was added to the bottom of these as well as other plate types in early 2005 beginning at about serial 23R*000. Straight trucks that had been issued motor freight plates on the previous base now receive regular truck plates (unless they are also apportioned vehicles, in which case they would be issued apportioned truck plates).

When Maryland joined the apportioned vehicle program, it was required to issue plates bearing the word "Apportioned". Regular truck apportioned plates are assigned serials in the format 000*E00, where the letter E is constant and indicates the vehicle class. The first apportioned plates had 1989 expiraions; probably all exired annually each April. In 1999, apportioned registrations were partially staggered so that they expired at the end of either January, April, July, or October. Apportioned year stickers for 2005 expirations were white on green rather than black on white used for most other plates. Apportioned year stickers for 2006 expirations returned to using the same color stickers issued to other vehicle types.

Trucks up to 1 ton capacity could obtain the optional green-on-white first generation "Treasure the Chesapeake" Base. Trucks had their own serial format of 0xx*000 on this base. The first digit began at 1 rather than 0. Serials advance like an odometer. The first serial was 1AA*001; when 1AA*999 was reached, the next serial was 1AB*000, then 1AB*001, etc. Reportedly the highest truck serial on this base is 1EY*899. These plates are no longer issued, but remain valid with renewals stickers.

Trucks up to 1 ton capacity may also obtain the optional "Our Farms, Our Future" base and the new black-on-blue second generation "Treasure the Chesapeake" base. There is not a distinct serial format or range for trucks on either base. On the "Our Farms" plate, serials in the A000000 format are issued to cars, trucks, taxis, and multi-purpose vehicles. On the new "Chesapeake" plate, serials in the 00000x/x format (with suffixes C/B, B/Y, C/A, and C/C used so far, in that order) are issued to cars, trucks, taxis, and multi-purpose vehicles. See the passenger plate page for more information and pictures of these plates.

• Dump trucks: Non-apportioned dump trucks and cement mixers are issued plates in format E00000D, with no legend to identify the vehicle type. The web site was added to the bottom of these plates approximately in late 2005, beginning at about serial number E35000D. Apportioned dump trucks and cement mixers are assigned plates in rather odd format 000*E/D00, with the letters E and D stacked one above the other, and bearing the legend "Apportioned". Apportioned year stickers for 2005 were white on green rather than black on white used for most other plates. Dump trucks always expire annually in May, with the possible exception of recent-year apportioned registrations which might be staggered.

• Farm area trucks: Farm area plates have the serial format 000*00K, with the K indicating the vehicle class. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration defines Class K vehicles as "farm vehicles used on or adjacent to farm only". But this is misleading; if they're used on a farm only, not on public roads, they would not need to have license plates at all. The actual law is more specific - it says that these plates are issued to farm-use motor vehicles, which may only use public roads within a 10 mile radius of the farm. There is no legend on the plate.

• Farm trucks: Farm trucks over 3/4 ton capacity are issued standard plates in format 000*00F/T, where the F and T are stacked one above the other and occupy one space on the plate. Vehicles with these plates are not restricted geographically. The legend "Farm" is screened on the bottom center of the plate. Farm trucks may also obtain the optional "Our Farms, Our Future" plate; the serial format for farm trucks using this base is F/T 00000.

• Truck tractors: Truck tractors were initially assigned serial format 000*00F, with the last letter always "F", indicating the vehicle class. There is no legend identifying the plate as a truck tractor plate. Truck tractors that had been issued Motor Freight plates on the previous base were issued standard truck tractor plates. Registrations expire annually each April 30. These plates were initially issued to all truck tractors, but since 1988 they are only used for non-apportioned truck tractors, of which there are very few.

When Maryland joined the apportioned vehicle program in 1988, it assigned truck tractor apportioned plates in the format 000*F00, where the letter F is constant and identifies the vehicle class. Apportioned plates are also identified with the screened legend "Apportioned" along the bottom of the plate. In 1999, apportioned registrations were paritally staggered to expire annually at the end of either January, April, July, or October. Apportioned year stickers for 2005 were white on green rather than black on white used for most other plates.

According to collector Jeff Ellis, stickers initially went on the rear plate, but beginning with 1989 expirations (perhaps not coincidentally, the first expiration year for apportioned plates), stickers for both apportioned and non-apportioned truck tractors were placed on the front plate. Jeff also reports that Maryland stopped issuing pairs of truck tractor plates in about 2003 or 2004; now just a single plate is issued to be placed on the front of the vehicle.

• Farm-use truck tractors: Truck tractors used for farming are issued plates in the format 000*00T/R, with the letters T and R stacked one above the other, and the legend "Farm" screened on the bottom center. These are also now issued as single plates to be placed on the front of the vehicle.

• Tow trucks: Tow trucks were originally issued plates on this base with serial format TT0*000. When that format was exhausted, then format 000*0TT was begun. In the summer of 2005, the second format also became history, and new plates are now issued in format 00000TT. The web site legend was added in late 2005, beginning at approximately serial number 01000TT. Apportioned tow trucks receive plates with the rather odd serial format 000*T/E00, with the letters T and E stacked. Apportioned year stickers for 2005 were white on green rather than black on white used for most other plates.