All vehicles in the state of Montana must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Division.

When you register your vehicle, you can choose from a Standard Plate, Specialty Plate, Personalized Plate, or Disability Plate (if eligible).

Sample Montana License Plate

How to Apply for License Plates in Montana

All residents and out-of-state workers living in Montana must register their vehicles with the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).

When you go to an MVD office, you’ll need the following:

Certificate of vehicle’s title
Valid ID (i.e., driver’s license)
Proof of insurance
Registration documents
Payment of fees:
- Plate fees (for specialty or personalized plates)
- Registration fees
- Taxes, service fees, etc.
- Titling fees (if applicable)

Registering License Plates in Montana

When you submit your application at the MVD, you have the option to register your vehicle for the following durations:

Quarterly Registration: For non-residents and out-of-state workers in Montana.
Permanent Registration: This is available only for vehicles 11 years and older. You will never have to renew the vehicle’s registration unless it is sold.
12-month Registration: Valid for 12 months, and requires payment of all fees, including taxes.
24-month Registration: Valid for 24 months, and requires payment of all fees, including taxes.

Types of License Plates in Montana

The MVD provides you with a standard Montana state license plate. The style of the license plate changes every 5 years.

Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of specialty license plates associated with local organizations, charities, and occupations.

Most plates can be personalized with a custom plate number, as long as the state’s guidelines are followed.

Specialty License Plates from Montana

The state of Montana offers a variety of license plates from sponsored organizations. Here are some examples of the plates you can get for your vehicle:

Arts Organizational License Plates, for example:
- Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras
Farming License Plates, for example:
- Montana Logging Association
Local Government License Plates, for example:
- Billings City Council
Community Organizational License Plates, for example:
- Big Sky Economic Development
Landmarks & Museum License Plates, for example:
- Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame
Public Parks License Plates, for example:
- Montana Wilderness Association
Local Sports License Plates, for example:
- Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association
Local Services, for example:
- Crimestoppers
Animals and Wildlife, for example:
- Montana Audubon
Military License Plates, for example:
- Ex-Prisoner of War
Youth Organizations, for example:
- Montana 4-H Foundation

Note: Specialty plates have fees in addition to the standard plate registration fees. For example, some sponsored plates require a donation, administration fee, and plate production fee. Contact an MVD office for more details on specialty plates.

Personalized License Plates in Montana

Personalized plates allow you to add your own custom plate number. The following guidelines must be met before your application is approved:

Must use at least 2 letters (the maximum varies by plate type)
Cannot use the letter O
No profanity or indecent suggestions
Payment of application fee: $25

The decision to process your personalized plate is made by the MVD. You’ll be required to explain the meaning behind your license plates.

License Plate Renewal in Montana

Before your license plate expires, you should renew your registration with the MVD. Depending on how you registered your vehicle, you may have to renew your license plates every 12 months or 24 months.

Alternatively, if your vehicle is 11 years or older, you can apply for permanent plates, which never have to be renewed.

Upon successfully renewing your vehicle, you’ll receive new registration stickers to apply over the old ones on your rear license plate.

Surrendering License Plates in Montana

If you apply for new plates (such as personalized or specialty plates), you must surrender your old plates.

You can surrender your Montana license plates either by dropping them off in person or by mailing them in.

Transferring License Plates in Montana

Your license plates remain in your possession if you sell, donate, or auction your vehicle. When you buy a new vehicle, you can transfer them over. Otherwise, you will be required to surrender your plates if they are not to be used.

Lost or Stolen License Plates in Montana

If your license plates fall off your vehicle, or if someone steals them, you should go to the MVD to have them replaced. You must apply for replacement license plates in person.

Replacement license plates in Montana will cost:

Replacement (with new number): $10.30
Replacement (with same number): $15.45
Replacement stickers (standard vehicles): $1
Replacement stickers (permanently registered vehicles): $10.30

If your plates have been stolen, you’ll have to submit a sworn statement. You should also submit a police report to ensure that your license plates aren’t misused or abused by others.

Summary of License Plate Fees in Montana

In addition to the standard license plate fees, you may also have to pay local taxes, service fees, and other registration fees. The following are a few of the fees applicable when you register or renew your vehicle:

Vehicle Registration:
- Vehicles 0 to 4 years old: $217
- Vehicles 5 to 10 years old: $87
- Vehicles 11+ years old: $28
Standard Plate Registration: $10
Replacement
- New plate number: $10.30
- Same plate number: $15.45
- Decals (standard vehicles): $1
- Decals (permanently registered vehicles): $10.30

Please contact your local MVD office for more information about the fees required for your vehicle’s registration.

Look Up License Plates in Montana

If you require personalized plates and want to see which plate numbers are available, you can look up license plates online.

You can also look up license plates to see the history of a vehicle, such as whether the vehicle has been stolen or not.

Car Ownership in Montana

Montana tops the list of states with the maximum number of vehicles registered per 1,000 licensed drivers. There are nearly 2.5 cars registered per driver in the state.
There was an approximately 18% increase in motor vehicle registrations in Montana between 2017 and 2021. Four states had a bigger increase in registrations than Montana (Delaware 49%, Maine 28%, Arkansas 25%, and Utah 20%).
Montana ranks number 4 in the US for the highest rate of car ownership. It comes in after Idaho and Wyoming (tied) and Utah.
95.20% of households in Montana have at least one vehicle. Idaho and Wyoming are tied for the top rank with 96.20% of households having at least one vehicle in these two states. The District of Columbia has the lowest vehicle ownership rate at 64.30%.
Montana is number 4 on the list of states with the most vehicles per household (31.2% of households in Montana own three or more vehicles). The highest is Wyoming (33.5%), followed by Utah (32.3%) and Idaho (32.1%).
Montana ranks 39 for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.16% of all registered vehicles in Montana are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles (1.61%), followed by Hawaii (1.32%).
Montana ranks 22 (tied) in the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are the most expensive and Ohio is the least expensive state to own a car.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Montana is $1,770.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Montana is $389.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Montana have one or two license plates?

Montana has two license plates. All vehicles registered in Montana are required to display one license plate on the front of the vehicle and one on the rear.

How much are personalized (vanity) plates in Montana?

Personalized (vanity) plates in Montana cost $25 in addition to the standard license plate fee. It costs $10 to replace or renew personalized plates.

What happens to Montana license plates when you sell your vehicle?

License plates in Montana stay with the original owner. The buyer of a vehicle must apply for new license plates. The seller can transfer the license plates to a new vehicle or surrender them to the MVD.

What does a Montana license plate look like?

Standard Montana license plates are blue with white lettering. It says Treasure State across the top and Montana below the registration number.

Do I need to replace my license plates if I move to another county in Montana?

If you move to another county in Montana, you can continue using the same license plates until they are due for renewal. At that time, you should update your address with the County Treasurer’s Office. If you have a permanently registered vehicle, you don’t need to do anything.

How long do new residents have to register their vehicle in Montana?

New residents in Montana have 60 days after establishing residency in the state to apply for a title and register their vehicles.

What is the grace period for tag renewal in Montana?

The grace period for tag renewal in Montana is from the 1st to the 25th of the registration month. If your vehicle was initially registered in June for 12 months, you should renew your vehicle registration in May the following year. If you fail to do so, the grace period is up to June 25.

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