The transient dynamic elastoplastic bending analysis of plates is investigated. Higher-order shear deformation theory is employed for the purpose, so as to have more realistic transverse shear representation. The formulation requires C 0 continuity for nodal variables. Isoparametric parabolic finite element discretization is adopted. The yield criteria incorporated are von Mises and Tresca along with associated flow rules. The isotropic hardening is also included. Equations of motion are satisfied at discrete time intervals using direct integration method and central difference scheme. A special mass lumping scheme is adopted. As critical time step is very important in explicit integration scheme, precaution has been taken so as to have the time step smaller than the critical one. Numerical examples are solved and compared with solutions from literature. The formulation is shown to be superior in comparison to previous formulations, being more generic in all respects.