
Revealing History Of Montana’s License Plates And Their Numbers
In the Treasure State, license plates are more than just a legal requirement.
They tell a story of history and innovation throughout the years.
And if you're relatively new to Montana, you might wonder what the unique number at the beginning of the license plate means.
Let's dig into the details.
Guide To License Plate Number Below👇
Matter of Taxation
Montana license plates date back to 1891 when the second legislative assembly established a taxation system for all property in the state.
However, it wasn't until 1913 that motor vehicles were recognized as taxable property.
You'll love this: the original license plate fees ranged from $5 to $20, depending on the vehicle's horsepower.
The taxes were used to maintain public highways throughout Montana.
Guide To License Plate Number Below👇
Montana Vehicle Registration
Also, in 1913, Montana began requiring vehicle registration, which documented the make, model, and owner information.
At this time, the state didn't issue license plates; they just kept a record of the vehicles in Montana.
Vehicle owners actually had to make their own license plates out of things like wood, leather, or metal.
Many times, these license plate plates were hand-painted.
Montana’s First Official License Plates
In 1914, the state finally began issuing license plates.
By 1915-1916, plates displayed “MON” along with the year.
The evolution continued, and by 1926, a prefix number was introduced, representing Montana's population centers as they were in 1914.
Below is a list of all the license plate numbers you'll find here in Montana.
In 1929, license plates were produced at the state prison.
According to the Montana Department of Transportation, approximately 127,215 plates were made that year.
Montana's 56 County License Plates
Gallery Credit: Canva / Jason Laird