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updateUpdated 2026-10-11

Montana License Plate Lookup

Montana License Plate Lookup — enter any MT plate to get the make, model, year, trim, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds. Vehicle data only — no personal information is returned.

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MONTANA1-23456A

1.5M

Registered Vehicles

Montana (FHWA)

Since 1914

Montana Motor Vehicle Division

1-23456A

Montana License Plate Quick Facts

Agency	Montana Motor Vehicle Division
Issuance year	1914
Current format	1-23456A — Seven characters on the current 'Big Sky' design: county number prefix (1=Silver Bow, 2=Cascade, alphabetical from there for larger counties; smaller counties use letter codes) + digits + a letter suffix. Montana is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$10.30
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	1.5M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-406-444-3661 · dojmt.gov/driving/

How do I look up a Montana license plate?

Running a free Montana license plate lookup takes under 10 seconds. The MT license plate lookup tool above doesn't require an account or paywall.

1
Enter the Montana license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm MT is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a MT plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a Montana license plate lookup reveal?

A free Montana license plate lookup returns vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, trim, engine, recalls, and safety ratings. Personal information about the registered owner is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and is never returned by this tool.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Montana license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

check_circleMake, model, year, and trim
check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
check_circleManufacturing plant & country

Paid — via NMVTIS partners

boltTitle brand history (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
boltReported accident history
boltOdometer rollback detection
boltNumber of previous owners
boltLien and loan history
boltAuction & insurance records
boltState of registration history
boltTheft / total-loss records

Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a Montana license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the current 'Big Sky' design: county number prefix (1=Silver Bow, 2=Cascade, alphabetical from there for larger counties; smaller counties use letter codes) + digits + a letter suffix. Montana is a two-plate state. The Montana license plate number lookup tool above accepts spaces, dashes, and historical Montana plate formats.

MONTANA1-23456A

Montana license plate number lookup: format history

Era	Format	Example
1914–1932	Sequential numeric / county-prefixed (Montana pioneered county codes in 1933)	12-345
1933–1976	County number prefix + sequential numeric	1-2345
1977–1990	County prefix + digits + letter ('Big Sky Country')	1-23456A
1991–2009	County prefix + digits + letter (Centennial / various designs)	1-23456A
2010–present	County prefix + digits + letter ('Big Sky' mountain design)	1-23456A
Specialty (university, conservation, military)	Up to 7 characters with cause backgrounds	ABC 1234

Montana license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Montana drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

Montana requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under MCA § 61-3-301. Failure to display either plate can result in fines.

Front plate rule

No exemption exists for vehicles lacking a front mounting bracket. Owners must install a bracket or face a citation under § 61-3-301.

Registration stickers & display

Montana issues a registration decal affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Vehicles 11+ years old can register permanently — no annual sticker required.

Inspection / smog check

Montana does NOT require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. The state has no I/M program — one of the most lenient regulatory regimes in the US.

Types of Montana license plates

Montana issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard Montana / Big Sky

Default plate with the iconic 'Big Sky' mountain design and county-number prefix. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $40 initial + $25/year through the Montana MVD.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

Montana Grizzlies, Montana State Bobcats, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Lewis & Clark, conservation, and dozens of cause plates.

Permanent / Pioneer

Vehicles 11+ years old qualify for a one-time permanent registration ($28) — no annual renewal. Pioneer plates for vehicles 50+ years old.

How much does a Montana license plate cost?

Typical Montana DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Light vehicle registration fee (varies by age)	$217 (4 yr or less) declining to $28 (11+ yr)
Replacement plate (per pair)	$10.30
Personalized plate (initial)	$40
Personalized plate (annual)	$25
Title fee	$10.30
Permanent registration (vehicles 11+ years)	One-time $28 — no annual renewal after that

Source: Montana Motor Vehicle Division — https://dojmt.gov/driving/

What if my Montana plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Montana license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plates were stolen.
2
Visit your local County Treasurer's office (registration is handled at the county level in Montana).
3
Complete the Application for Replacement Plates (Form MV1).
4
Pay the $10.30 replacement fee.
5
Surrender any remaining plate from the pair before substitute plates are issued.

Montana DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Montana Motor Vehicle Division

call1-406-444-3661

languagedojmt.gov/driving/

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Montana license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Montana license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a Montana license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Montana plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required.

Does Montana require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. MCA § 61-3-301 requires passenger vehicles to display two plates — one on the front and one on the rear. There is no exemption for vehicles sold without a front bracket.

How much does a replacement Montana plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $10.30 for a new plate pair. Replacements are processed at your local County Treasurer's office using Form MV1.

What does the number on a Montana plate mean?expand_more

The leading number on a Montana plate is the county code, assigned in 1933 by population rank: 1 = Silver Bow (Butte), 2 = Cascade (Great Falls), 3 = Yellowstone (Billings), 4 = Missoula, 5 = Lewis & Clark (Helena), and so on. Montana is the only state still actively using a county-prefix system on standard plates.

Are Montana license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a Montana plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and MCA § 61-11-507. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does Montana require an inspection or emissions test?expand_more

No. Montana does not require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. It's one of a handful of states without an I/M program.

How do I get a personalized Montana plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through your County Treasurer or at dojmt.gov for $40 initial fee and $25 annual renewal. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

What is Montana's permanent registration?expand_more

Vehicles 11+ model years old qualify for Montana's permanent registration — a one-time $28 fee that lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, with no annual renewal needed. This is unique to Montana and contributes to the state's high RV/classic-car registration rate.

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