Form MV-359 at a glance
What it is: Form MV-359 is the Application for Miscellaneous Motor Vehicle Business Registration Plates.
Where and when to file: Mail all completed forms to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68283, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8283.
What to bring and attach to Form MV-359
Attach a copy of the front and back of a government issued photo identification credential for each owner, partner or corporate officer.
Include an original criminal history record (SP 4-164) obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police (not a copy) for each owner, partner or corporate officer. If an individual owner, officer or employee is a resident of a state other than Pennsylvania, then a criminal background check from their state of residence shall also be provided.
Include photographs of the interior and exterior of the business which clearly show the business office work area and business identification signs.
Attach a copy of deed/lease or rental agreement.
Attach the appropriate fee for the number of dealer registration plates requested.
A filled-in Form MV-359 example: a Repair or Towing application
How to fill out Form MV-359, box by box
What you are applying for
Check all applicable: New Application, 911 Address Change, Change of Name, Change in Officers, Change of Address and Change of Owner.
Check the type of Miscellaneous Motor Vehicle Business you are applying for: Repair or Towing, Vehicle Salvage Dealer, Transporter, Watercraft Trailer Dealer or Financier or Collector-Repossessor.
Name and address of the business
List the name of the business exactly as the Miscellaneous Motor Vehicle Business (MMVB) registration is to be issued.
Common mistake: The address must be the physical street address; a Post Office Box may be used only in addition to the street address.
Include business telephone and home telephone numbers: the Business Phone Number and the Home Phone Number of President or Controlling Partner.
The license issued will be valid only for the business address listed on this application.
Type of business, owned or leased
Check the appropriate box for the type of business and if the location is owned or leased.
Owners, partners or corporate officers
List all owners, partners or corporate officers. The official titles are required. Additional sheets may be used if necessary.
Other businesses at this location
List other businesses at the same location.
Registration plates and fees
Indicate the number of registration plates you are applying for in the space provided beside the appropriate classification.
Each plate type has a one year or two year registration fee. For a complete listing of motor vehicle fees, refer to Form MV-70S, "Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees," found on the website www.pa.gov/dmv.
Common mistake: Dealer registration plates may be renewed for one or two-year periods. All dealer registration plates listed must have the same expiration date.
Business description and how the plates will be used
Indicate the nature of your business that qualifies your business for the type of registration for which you are making application.
Provide explanation on how each of these registration plates will be used.
Enter how many vehicle repairs or tows are projected for each month and how many plates will be used for personal use.
For transporter businesses, enter how many vehicles are expected to be transported each month. For Repossessor/Financier, enter how many vehicles are expected to be repossessed each month. For Vehicle Salvage Dealer, enter how many vehicles are expected to be salvaged/sold each month.
Insurance information
Refer to #5 in the instructions for the required proof of insurance.
Enter the Insurance Company Name, Agent Name, Agent Phone Number, NAIC Number, Policy Number, Effective Date and Expiration Date.
When PennDOT issues a (MMVB) registration plate, a copy of one of the following acceptable proofs of insurance must be submitted: an insurance identification card; the declaration page of an insurance policy or a copy thereof; a copy of a valid binder of insurance which contains all of the information required to appear on the I.D. card, excluding the policy number, and is signed by a licensed insurance agent or broker; or a copy of application for insurance to the Pennsylvania Automobile Insurance Plan (PAIP) containing all of the information required to appear on the I.D. card, excluding the policy number, and is signed by a licensed insurance agent or broker.
In addition, Title 67, Chapter 53.3(b)(iii) requires a certificate of insurance or a statement from an insurance carrier authorized to do business in this commonwealth, on its letterhead, that indicates the applicant has sufficient liability insurance to cover as many vehicles as the number of registration plates applied for.
Additional information
If this application is a change of ownership, explain and list former name of business. Please list the Dealer/Business Partner Identification Number.
2A. Has this business or the owners, partners or corporate officers thereof ever been registered as a dealer, miscellaneous motor vehicle business or issuing agent in this or any other state? Check YES or NO. If yes, list name(s), location(s), and identification number(s).
2B. Have any owners, partners or corporate officers of this business ever been affiliated with a dealership, miscellaneous motor vehicle business, messenger service or full agent whose registration was suspended, cancelled or revoked or is currently under investigation or notice to attend a departmental or court hearing or is awaiting a decision by a hearing officer of a court? Check YES or NO. If yes, explain.
3. Do any of the owners, partners, corporate officers or any business with which they were previously affiliated have any outstanding liabilities which are due and owing to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including but not limited to taxes, fees, monetary penalties or outstanding plates or paperwork? Check YES or NO. If yes, explain.
4. Have any owners, partners or corporate officers of this business ever been convicted or administratively sanctioned for violations of department regulations, Pennsylvania Crimes Code or Chapters 11, 13 or 23 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code? Check YES or NO. If yes, explain.
5. Have any owners, partners or corporate officers of this business ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor? Check YES or NO. If yes, explain.
6. Have any owners, partners or corporate officers of this business ever remitted uncollectible checks payable to any agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? Check YES or NO. If yes, explain.
7. Have any owners, partners or corporate officers filed bankruptcy within the past seven years? Check YES or NO. If yes, explain.
8. Will this business be purchasing or selling any type of vehicles? Check YES or NO. If yes, describe type of vehicles.
Miscellaneous information
Check YES or NO: Does your business location meet all local zoning and land use ordinances and building codes?
Check YES or NO: Does your business meet ADA accessibility requirements?
Check YES or NO: Have all owners, partners and officers read and understood Chapter 53 of Title 67 (Manufacturer, Dealer and Motor Vehicle Business Registration Plates) and Chapters 11, 13 and 23 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code?
Self-certification
You declare under penalty of perjury under the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that the application is true and correct.
Fill in the Signed on the day of line, then the county or other location, and state, and the country.
Enter the Printed Name of Authorized Signer, sign the Signature of Authorized Signer line and enter the Title of Authorized Signer.
More rules for Form MV-359
See the instructions for the documents that must accompany this application.
Please review the instructions carefully prior to submitting the application.
All information must be typed in full.
Transporter, Financier and other situations
You are applying for Transporter registration
Application for Transporter registration must include copies of all active contracts with registered dealers or manufacturers to regularly transport new or used vehicles on their own wheels, which are owned by or in the possession of said dealers or manufacturers.
You are applying for Financier or Collector-Repossessor registration
Applicants for Financier or Collector-Repossessor registration must include the appropriate license from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.
Common questions about Form MV-359
Where do I file it?
Mail all completed forms to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68283, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8283.
Are there fees?
This form requires a fee. Payment is to be made by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Do not send cash.
Is there a penalty?
Any statement made on or pursuant to this application is subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. Section 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification), which include criminal prosecution and a term of imprisonment. The maximum term of imprisonment may be one year or up to two years (18 Pa.C.S. 4904). In addition to any other penalty, a person convicted under this section shall be sentenced to pay a fine of at least $1,000 [18 Pa.C.S. 4904(d)]. (checked October 31, 2026)
Where to get help with Form MV-359
Visit www.pa.gov/dmv or call 717-412-5300. TTY callers should dial 711.
Sources
[1] Form MV-359 (3-25), Application for Miscellaneous Motor Vehicle Business Registration Plates, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (the Official source link on this page).