Receiving Helpdesk

what do the numbers on montana license plates mean

by Ms. Velva Hettinger Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Ordered by License Plate Number

License Plate Number County County Seat
1 Butte-Silver Bow Butte
2 Cascade Great Falls
3 Yellowstone Billings
4 Missoula Missoula
Apr 26 2022

here's the answer. According to the Montana Department of Justice, the prefix numbers on Montana license plates were added to designate the county in which that vehicle was registered. Modern Montana standard-issue license plates feature an outline of the state of Montana and a bison skull.Feb 26, 2021

Full Answer

What do the numbers on Montana license plates mean?

What do the numbers on Montana license plates mean? In the 1930s, the state legislature devised a system that could be used to identify vehicles by the county in which they were registered. The commonly held belief is that the numbers were assigned based on the population of each county during the 1930 U.S. census.

What license plates are available in Montana?

The following license plates are available:

  • Vintage plates for vehicles that: Are at least 30 years old. AND Were made no earlier than 1934.
  • Pioneer license plates for vehicles that: Were made in 1933 or earlier. AND Are used only for display and collection, not for everyday transportation.
  • Original Montana plates for: Vehicles that are at least 30 years old AND intended as a collectors' item. ...

Do you have to have 2 license plates in Montana?

Montana License Plate Fees. Because car registration cards and license plates must be obtained simultaneously in Montana, applicants must pay for an $87.50 registration fee along with the costs related to the issuance of plates. In the case of personalized MT license plates, applicants will also need to pay for a $25.75 fee.

How to get a Montana provisional license?

Fall 2021 Montana College and University Graduates: There are 3 options:

  • Before December 31 , 2021, you can apply on-line and mail or email documents up until February 28, 2022.
  • After December 31, 2021 to May 6, 2022, you can submit a paper application for initial licensure. ...
  • Wait until the new system is active on June 1st to submit your application.

What does the first number on a Montana license plate mean?

Montana license plates start with a number that indicates the county where the vehicle is registered.

What is the 10 on a Montana license plate?

Carbon Red LodgeLicense Plate NumberCountyCounty Seat9Powder RiverBroadus10CarbonRed Lodge11PhillipsMalta12HillHavre52 more rows

What county is 51 in MT?

Jefferson County, Montana - Wikipedia.

How do Montana license plates work?

License plate decals, which indicate that an owner has paid all the taxes and fees on a vehicle, generally are issued for a one-year period by the county treasurer in the county where the vehicle is subject to tax or fee. The decal must be placed on the rear plate.

Why does Montana have so many different license plates?

And then there's Montana, with almost three hundred designs to choose from, most of which are highly unique and attractive. This massive variety is the result of Montana's “Sponsored Plate” program, which allows organizations to submit their own designs, provided they complete an application and pay a $4,000 fee.

Is there a county in Montana with no population?

Petroleum County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 496, making it the least populous county in Montana and the eighth-least populous in the United States.

Does Montana have 2 license plates?

Current law permits the display of a single rear-mounted plate for motor vehicles registered as a street rod or custom vehicle, and a waiver may be issued for vehicles unable to display a front plate. The new law requires the waiver to be issued.

Is a front license plate required in Montana?

(b) (i) Except as provided in 61-4-120, 61-4-129, and subsections (1)(b)(ii) through (1)(b)(iv) of this section, all motor vehicles must have one license plate displayed on the front and one license plate displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle.

When did Montana start requiring registration plates?

Montana began requiring vehicle registration plates in 1915. In the 1930s, the state legislature devised a system that could be used to identify vehicles by the county in which they were registered. The commonly held belief is that the numbers were assigned based on the population of each county during the 1930 U.S. census.

What county has the blue license plate with a 3.?

Silver Bow County, having the largest population at the time, was given a code of 1. Cascade County was next, then Yellowstone County, which is why most of the standard blue license plates in the Billings area start with a 3. But while the population explanation holds true for some counties, a cursory look at a ranking of each county by 1930 ...

What county had a car registration code of 9 in 1930?

For example, Powder River County was assigned a vehicle registration code of 9, but its population in the 1930 census was only 3,909 people, making it the 46th most-populous county at the time. Gallatin County, then ranked ninth in population, received a plate code of 6.

How old do you have to be to get a Montana license plate?

To display Original license plates on a vehicle used for general transportation, the vehicle must be 25 years old or older. The applicant must have a set of two Original Montana license plates and:

How often do you need to get new plates in Montana?

Standard plates are issued to all vehicle owners unless they request other plates. Montana law requires the issuance of new plates every five years.

How long does it take to get a temporary license in Montana?

If the plates you want are not on hand, the county treasurer gives you a 40-day temporary permit. Montana drivers can choose from a number of license plates, ranging from the standard plate to designs that reflect their military service or show their support for a Montana college or community organization.

What does DV mean on a veteran's license plate?

Veterans may be issued special license plates displaying the letters “DV”, which entitle them to disabled parking privileges, if they:

What is a vintage plate in Montana?

Vintage and Pioneer Plates. Vintage and Pioneer plates, authorized by 61-3-411 of the Montana Code Annotated, are available for vehicles that are: more than 30 years old. used solely as collectors’ items, rather than for general transportation.

Can you transfer license plates to another vehicle?

Transferring plates – License plates stay with the owner and may be transferred to another vehicle only when the vehicle is properly registered through the county treasurer.

Can you surrender your Montana license plate?

However, they must surrender the plates to the department when they are no longer eligible.

image

Standard Plates

Image
Standard plates are issued to all vehicle owners unless they request other plates. Montana law requires the issuance of new plates every five years. The Montana plate pictured above was issued beginning in January 2010. Each design element echoes Montana’s classic license plates. The white Montana outline on a solid bl…
See more on dojmt.gov

Antique Plates

  • Vintage and Pioneer plates, authorized by § 61-3-411, MCAof the Montana Code Annotated, are available for vehicles that are: 1. more than 30 years old 2. used solely as collectors’ items, rather than for general transportation A Montana titlemust be issued in the applicant’s name before Vintage or Pioneer plates can be issued. 1. Complete an Application for Registration of a Vintag…
See more on dojmt.gov

Military Plates

  • Eligibility – Under § 61-3-458, MCA special military or veteran license platesmay be issued to: 1. active military personnel 2. veterans 3. the surviving spouse of an eligible veteran if the spouse has not remarried, as determined by the military 4. those eligible for a Gold Star Label Button because a family member died while serving in the U.S. A...
See more on dojmt.gov

Sponsored Plates

  • License plates sponsored by qualified organizations, colleges or governmental bodies are designed with distinctive backgrounds, colors or phrases that identify the sponsoring organization. Sponsored plates are authorized under § 61-3-4, MCA. You must register your vehicle annually to have sponsored plates, with these exceptions – by paying a one-time contrib…
See more on dojmt.gov

Other Plates

  • Amateur Radio Operator plates are available to a vehicle owner who holds an unrevoked and unexpired official amateur radio station license and operator’s license. The plates display the owner’s amateur radio call letters assigned by the federal communications commission. How to Apply for and Renew an Amateur Radio Plate 1. Present proof of ownership of your amateur radi…
See more on dojmt.gov

Collect Sample Plates

  • For individuals who collect license plates, current Montana plates are available from the Vehicle Services Bureau by completing the Order Form for Sample License Plates (Form MV6) and paying the applicable fee. Some sponsoring organizationsalso sell sample license plates to collectors. Contact the organization of your choice.
See more on dojmt.gov

Temporary Registration Permits

  • When you purchase a vehicle or choose a license plate that is not immediately available, the vehicle dealer or your county treasurer’s office issues a temporary registration permit (TRP). This permit allows you to drive the vehicle until you receive your new registration and plates. The temporary permits are generated electronically, with a unique number and a detachable proof of …
See more on dojmt.gov

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9