Exempt (X) 1923 1922 Ch. 199 P 3/5/1921
Truck (T) 1922 1922 Ch. 199 P 3/5/1921
Sample 1923
Trailer (TR) 1931 1930 Ch. 181 P 3/22/1929
Highway Patrol Exempt (PX)1936 5/22/35 Reported 1935
Highway Dept. Exempt (HX) 1936
Hwy. Dept. Ex. Tlr.(H-XTR)1936
Exempt Trailer (TRX) 1944 Ch. 6 P 2/11/1941
Exempt Truck (TX) 1952 Ch. 6 P 2/11/1941
Unknown Type (RP-TR) 1952
Commercial Trailer 1953 1953 Ch. 215 P 3/5/1953
Light Private Trailer 1953 1953 Ch. 215 P 3/5/1953
Fish and Game Comm. (FG) UND. 1955
Highway Commission (HM) UND. 1955
Pioneer UND. 1955 Ch. 123 P 3/3/1955
Prorate Truck (PR) 1956 1955 Ch. 195 P 4/4/1953
Special Mobile Equipment 1955 1955 Ch. 183 P 3/4/1955
State Owned (M) UND. 1955 Ch. 29 P 2/16/1953
Trailer Dealer (DTR) 1957 1955 Ch. 245 P 3/10/1955
Transit 1960 Ch. 133 P 3/2/1953
3U 1960 1955 Ch. 251 P 3/10/1955
Used Car Dealer 1956 Ch. 245 P 3/10/1955
No Tax 1956
Prorate Sticker 1957 1956 Ch. 143 P 3/3/1955
Amateur Radio 1958 1958 Ch. 2 P 2/1/1957
National Guard UND. 1967 Ch. 135 P 3/1/1965
Prorate Trailer 1968 Reported 1966
Snowmobile 1970 1970 Ch. 326 P 3/13/1969
Personalized 1973 7/1/73 Ch. 257 P 3/10/1973
Vintage UND. 7/1/73 Ch. 422 P 3/21/1973
Combine 1975 Reported 1967
Apportioned Trailer 1977 1977
Apportioned Truck 1977 1977
Fish and Game Comm. Tlr. Listed 1979 chart
Highway Commission Tlr. Listed 1979 chart
State Owned Trailer Listed 1979 chart
PERMITS:
Montana Railroad Comm. 1937/38 1/1/38
Montana R. Comm. Trailer 1938/39
Press UND. 1939
GVW Fee 1957 1956 Ch. 258 P 3/10/1955
Sign Permit 1978/80 Law E 6/24/1971
LETTER KEY:
C Combine 1975-79 T Truck 1922-58, 1976-79
D Dealer 1917-58, 1976-79 TR Trailer 1931-58, 1976-79
DTR Trailer Dealer 1957-58 TRX Exempt Trailer 1944
HX Highway Department Exempt 1936-54 TX Exempt Truck 1952-53
HXTR Hwy. Dept. Ex. Trailer 1936 UD Used Car Dealer 1956-58, 1976-79
PX Highway Patrol Exempt 1936, 1951 X Exempt 1923-58
SM Special Mobile Equipment 1955-64
PLATES ORDERED:
1926
Passenger 85,000 P
Truck 12,600 P
Exempt 1,100 P
PLATES MADE AT PRISON:
1928 1929 1930
Passenger 104,150 P 115,116 120,000
Truck 22,045 P 25,056 30,000
Exempt 1,250 P 1,344 1,411
Dealer "sets" 513 537 575
1943: Tab - Passenger, Dealer, Exempt, M/C, Trailer, Truck
1944: Fiberboard Plate - Passenger
Steel Plate - All other types
1947: Windshield Sticker - Passenger, Highway Patrol Exempt, Truck
New Plate - Dealer, M/C, Trailer
1952: Windshield Sticker - Passenger, Exempt, Truck
New Plate - Dealer, TX, HX, M/C, Trailer
1954-58: Tab - Passenger, Dealer (1954), Exempt and HX (1954), Trailer, Truck
Plate - Amateur Radio (1958), Dealer (1956-58), M/C,
No Tax (1956), Prorate Truck (1956),
S.M.E. (1956-58), Comm. Trailer,
Light Private Trailer, Used Dealer (1956-58)
1954-66 TABS:
PASSENGER TRUCK TRAILER
1954 Aluminum Red/Aluminum Orange/Aluminum
1956, 1958 Aluminum White/Aluminum Blue/Aluminum
1960, 1966 Black/Yellow Light Blue/Yellow Green/Yellow
1961, 1964 White/Black Yellow/Black Green/Black
1962, 1965 White/Light Blue Yellow/Light Blue Black/Light Blue
DEALER EXEMPT, HX
1954 Blue/Aluminum Aluminum
1960-66 ANNUAL PLATES:
Dealer, M/C, No Tax (1960-61, 1963-65), S.M.E., Comm. Trailer,
Light Private Trailer, Trailer Dealer, Transit (1960, 1964),
Used Dealer, G.V.W. Fee (1964-66).
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
Numbers assumed to begin at #1 unless noted.
Passenger colors 1911-48 unless noted.
Types described in Billings Gazette 7/5/1955.
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AMATEUR RADIO
Ch. 2 P 2/1/1957. Began 1958. As of 1964-68, supplemental plate
issued singly for $5 extra fee, to be displayed above regular plate.
Dated 1958, 1975, undated 1959, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1973;
stickers issued 1971, 1972, 1974.
1958 W7AA - W7ZZZ
1961 K7AAA - K7ZZZ
1967 WA7AAA - WA7ZZZ (Verify 1966)
(WB7AAA - WB7ZZZ Verify 1979)
APPORTIONED TRAILER
Began 1977. Issued singly, with GVW sticker center.
Previously issued Prorate Trailer plates.
Actually joined IRP 1/1/1976, but Prorate plates already made.
LEGENDS: "APPORTIONED" top, "T" prefix 1977-79.
COLORS: Aluminum/Green 1977, Aluminum/Blue 1978, Aluminum/Black 1979.
TRAILER TRUCK
1977 T 054 - T 930, T 70C, T 06N 1977 P K42, P L07, P X72, P 54A,
P 29B, P 29P, P 18R
1978 T 1002 - T 4775 1978 P 2750 - P 4575
1979 T 2461 - T 4637 1979 P 1086 - P 5801
APPORTIONED TRUCK
Began 1977. Issued singly, with GVW sticker center.
Previously issued Prorate Truck plates.
Actually joined IRP 1/1/1976, but Prorate plates already made.
LEGENDS: "APPORTIONED" top, "P" prefix 1977-79.
COLORS: Same as Apportioned Trailer.
COMBINE
Reported 1967. Earliest seen 1975. Small-size plates 1975-79.
LEGENDS: No legend, "MONTANA 75" bottom 1975-76, 1978-79.
COLORS: Aluminum/Green 1975, 1979, Aluminum/Blue 1976, Aluminum/Black 1978.
1975 C-342
1976 C-766
1977
1978 C-1287
1979 C-197
COMMERCIAL TRAILER (See Trailer)
DEALER
Began 1916. Provided by Secretary of State without a law 1916.
Earliest seen 1917. Annual plates 1944-52, 1955-69, 1972-75.
Used Car Dealer began by 1956.
LEGENDS: No legend, "D" prefix 1916-33,
"D" after county code 1934-58, 1976-79,
"DEALER" top 1959-75.
COLORS: White/Black 1947, Passenger colors 1948-51, 1953, 1955-75,
Yellow/Blue 1952, Blue/Aluminum 1954 Tab, Black/White 1976-79.
1917: $50 fee for 6 identical pairs.
1956: 6" x 12", 1957 design, no tab slots.
1958-63: Multiple identical plates issued.
1970-75: Small number suffix sticker added.
1971: Sticker - White/Brown "MONTANA" top,
Black/White "DEALER 71" bottom.
1916 1922 D-96 1928 D-67
1917 D-319 1923 D-284 1929 D-261
1918 D-261 1924 D-319 1930 D-421
1919 D-414 1925 D-404 1931 D-307
1920 D-154 1926 D-190 1932 D2-64
1921 D-289 1927 D-421 1933 D-44
1934-55 FORMATS: 1-D 1 - 56-D 99
1956-58 FORMATS: 1/ D 1 - 5/6 D 99
1959-75 FORMATS: 1-1 - 56-99
1976-79 FORMATS: 1D1-1 - 56D99-99
EXEMPT
Ch. 199 P 3/5/1921. Began 1922. Earliest seen 1923.
Issued to vehicles owned by cities, counties, state or U.S.
1922-54. Starting 1955, only issued to vehicles owned by
cities, counties or school districts.
Permanent undated plates 1955-56, 1957-58, 1959-on.
1959 was the last general reissue.
1954: #46-X-17 dated "54", plus "54" tab with matching number.
LEGENDS: No legend, "X" prefix 1923-33, 1943 tab,
"X" after county code 1934-58,
"EXEMPT" top 1959-75.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1922-58, Orange/Aluminum 1959-67,
Orange/White 1968-72, 1976-79, White/Orange 1973-75.
1922 1926 X-910 1930 X-886
1923 X-220 1927 X-229 1931 X-395
1924 X-155 1928 X-707 1932 X1-146
1925 X-709 1929 X-492 1933 X1-078
1932 FORMATS: X1-00 - X9-99, X1-000 - X9-999
1934-50 FORMATS: 1-X 1 - 56-X 99
1951-55 FORMATS: 1-X-1 - 56-X-99
1957-58 FORMATS: 1/ X 1 - 5/6 X 99
1959-79 FORMATS: 1-1 - 9-999, 10-1 - 56-99
EXEMPT TRAILER
Ch. 6 P 2/11/1941. Only seen 1944. Discontinued by 1955.
Rebegan by 1979.
LEGENDS: No legend, "TRX" after county code 1944.
1944 9-TRX5
EXEMPT TRUCK
Ch. 6 P 2/11/1941. Earliest seen 1952. Last seen 1953.
Discontinued by 1955. Unknown why a dated "52" plate was issued.
Could these be Trailer plates?
LEGENDS: No legend, "TX" after county code 1952-53.
1952 5-TX-1, 46-TX-2
1953 6-TX-20
FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
Began 1955. Permanent undated plates all years.
LEGENDS: "STATE OWNED" top, "FG" prefix 1955-75.
COLORS: Exempt colors 1955-75.
UND. (1955-56) FG-2236
UND. (1957-58) FG 2009
FISH AND GAME COMMISSION TRAILER
Listed 1979 chart.
HIGHWAY COMMISSION
Began 1955. Permanent undated plates all years.
LEGENDS: "STATE OWNED" top, "MH" prefix 1955-58, "MH" prefix 1964,
"STATE OWNED" top, "H" prefix 1973-79.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1955-58, Exempt colors 1964-79.
UND. (1955-56) MH-1727
UND. (1957-58) MH 1532
UND. (1973-75) H07-356
UND. (1976-79) H07-656
HIGHWAY COMMISSION TRAILER
Listed 1979 chart.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EXEMPT
Earliest seen 1936. Dated plate issued 1952.
Discontinued 1955; replaced by Highway Commission (HM).
Could the 1952 be a Trailer plate (with higher number)?
LEGENDS: No legend, "H-X" prefix 1936-39,
no legend, "HX" prefix 1940-42, 1944-46, 1948, 1950-54.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1936-46, 1948, 1950-51, 1953-54,
Yellow/Blue 1952.
1936 H-X 170 1942-43 HX-67 1949
1937 H-X 153 1944 HX-342 1950 HX-143
1938 H-X 28 1945 HX-467 1951 HX-240
1939 H-X 425 1946 HX-465 1952 HX-846
1940 HX-512 1947 1953 HX-413
1941 HX-190 1948 HX-597 1954 TAB HX-413
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EXEMPT TRAILER
Earliest seen 1936. Discontinued by 1955.
LEGENDS: No legend, "H-XTR" prefix 1936.
1936 H-XTR12
HIGHWAY PATROL EXEMPT
Began 5/22/1935. Reported 1935. Earliest seen 1936.
Number corresponds to officer's badge number.
Numbers to begin at #121 according to Ch. 88 P 2/25/1943.
Numbers to begin at #100 according to Ch. 111 P 2/28/1951.
LEGENDS: No legend 1936, 1939-41, 1944-45, 1948-52, 1976,
slogan top 1949-52, "STATE OWNED" top 1953-75.
COLORS: Passenger colors all years except Orange/Silver 1959-66.
1936 P-X 128 1942 1948 PX-171
1937 1943 1949 PX-171
1938 1944 PX-143 1950 PX-171
1939 P-X 185 1945 PX-151 1951 PX-170
1940 PX-185 1946 1952 PX-138
1941 PX-143 1947
1953-54 UND. PX-131 - PX-210 (1954 TAB PX38)
1955-56 UND. 138 - 160
1957-58 UND. 138 -
1959-66 UND. 118 - "PRISON MADE"
201 - 235 No "PRISON MADE"
1967 UND. MHP-113 - MHP-235
1968-69 UND. MHP-211 - MHP-244
1970-72 UND. MHP-116 - MHP-322
1973-74 UND. MHP-102 - MHP-341
1975 UND. MHP-102 - MHP-286
1976 MHP-138 - MHP-181
LIGHT PRIVATE TRAILER (See Trailer)
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Earliest seen 1915. Not provided for by law until 1917.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Ch. 75 P 3/3/1917, E 4/1/1917. Began 1917. Earliest seen 1924.
Annual plates 1964-66, 1968-69, 1972-75.
LEGENDS: No legend, "D" prefix 1924-64,
"M.C.DEALER" top 1965-66, 1968-75.
COLORS: Motorcycle colors except 1924 Red/White (1923 colors).
1917: $15 fee for 6 identical pairs.
1971: Sticker - White/Black "MONTANA" top,
Black/White "M.C. DEALER 71" bottom.
1924 D 2 1950 D 3 1964 D106
1929 D 1 1951 D 3
1930 D 5 1960 D11
1932 D 5 1961 D 36
1965-69 FORMATS: 1-1 - 56-9
1970-75 FORMATS: 1-1-1 - 56-9-6
NATIONAL GUARD
Ch. 135 P 3/1/1965. Began 1967.
Permanent undated Blue/Yellow plate issued 1967-75,
"NATIONAL GUARD" top, vertical "NG" left followed by soldier.
UND. (1967) 1 - 1879
NO TAX
Earliest seen 1956. Last seen 1965.
Small-size plate 1956, 1959-65.
LEGENDS: "NO-TAX" top, "MONT. 56" bottom 1956,
"NO TAX" top, "MONT. 58" bottom 1958-61,
"NOTAX" top, "MONT.62" bottom 1962-65.
COLORS: White/Red 1956, Silver/Black 1959, Black/Silver 1960,
White/Black 1961, 1963, Black/White 1962,
Yellow/Blue 1964, White/Red 1965.
1956 1978 1960 5358 1964 5588
1957 1961 5443 1965 4741
1958 1224 1962 6615
1959 4716 1963 4063
PERSONALIZED
Ch. 257 P 3/10/1973. Began 7/1/1973.
Choice of 2-6 letters issued for $20 extra initial fee, $5 extra
renewal fee annually. 7 letters seen 1975 #PITSTOP.
Ampersand allowed as of 1978. County number stickers added 1979
when monthly staggered registration began.
Possible Personalized Trailer seen 1975.
(Pre-personalized seen UND. (1964-66) #41, 1967 #CJD pair, DJL pair,
U.S.SKI.)
PIONEER
Ch. 123 P 3/3/1955. Began 1955.
Issued to vehicles over 30 years old 1955-63. Ch. 86 P 2/27/1963
restricting issuance to vehicles made in 1933 or earlier.
Permanent undated Yellow/Blue plates issued, large pre-1956 size,
"PIONEER" top, "MONTANA" bottom, number dies last used in 1949.
Type 1: Steel 6 - 1 873 (1,868 P)
Type 2: Aluminum 3 672 - 4 627 (956 P)
PRORATE STICKER
Ch. 143 P 3/3/1955. Began 1956. Unknown device issued 1956.
Earliest seen 1957. Last seen 1970.
Sticker issued for backing plate 1957-70.
PRORATE TRAILER
Reported 1966. Earliest seen 1968.
Discontinued 1977; replaced by Apportioned Trailer.
LEGENDS: "TRAILER" top, "MONTANA 68" bottom 1968-69, 1972, 1974,
no legend, "MONTANA 76" bottom, "T" prefix 1976.
COLORS: White/Dark Blue 1968, Black/Yellow 1969, 1972,
Aluminum/Red 1974, Aluminum/Black 1976.
(GVW sticker center 1969, 1972-76.)
TRAILER TRUCK
1966
1967 P 627, P V04
1968 T 701
1969 T 716, T A87
1970 P Z35
1971
1972 T 196, T R02 P 715, P F34
1973 P 979
1974 T E03 P H86, P R00, P V85
1975
1976 T F98, T K22, T Z58, T 69C P 185, P E48, P 10C, P 27G
PRORATE TRUCK
Ch. 195 P 4/4/1953. Began 1955. 1955 Sample seen.
Earliest seen 1956. 3" x 12" size 1955-56, 6" x 12" size 1964-72.
Discontinued 1977; replaced by Apportioned Truck.
LEGENDS: No legend, "PR" prefix 1955-56,
"TRUCK" top, "MONTANA 64" bottom 1964, 1967, 1970, 1972-73,
no legend, "MONTANA 76" bottom, "P" prefix 1976.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1955-56, ?/Aluminum 1964, Yellow/Black 1967,
Black/Aluminum 1970, Yellow/Blue 1973,
Prorate Trailer colors 1972, 1974, 1976.
(GVW sticker center 1967, 1970-76.)
1956 PR 7656 - PR 9576, PR M720
1964 PR-125
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1923. (Verify 1924, 1926-27, 1944-45)
1923, 1925 00000
1928-31, 1933 000-000
1932 000000
1934 0-0000
1935-37, 1939-42, 1950-51 00-000
1938, 1946-49 0-000
1943 TAB 0-0
1953-54, 1967, 1972-74 00-000, 00-0000 (1967 with or without slots)
1955-56, 1959-66, 1968-71 00-0000 (1959 with or without "PRISON MADE")
1957-58 7 0000, 1/6 00000, 2/8 0000
1958 TAB 58-00000
1965 TAB 00-0000
1975 00-000, 00-0000, 0-00000
1976-79 00-0000, 00-00000, SAMPLE, SAM-PLE
SNOWMOBILE
Ch. 326 P 3/13/1969. Began 1970. Only seen 1970.
Small-size plate, "SNOW" top, "MONTANA 70" bottom 1970.
Temporary restraining order in place 2/19/1970; law most likely
declared unconstitutional. New law E 7/1/1971 provided for
licensing like boats, with a large decal rather than a plate.
1970 FORMATS: 1-1 - 56-999
SPECIAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT
Ch. 183 P 3/4/1955. Began 1955.
Small-size annual plates all years, issued singly.
No dated 1968 plate; two dated 1976 plates.
1977 is dated "3-31".
LEGENDS: "SM" left, "MONT/55" right 1955-64,
"S.M." top, "MONTANA 65" bottom 1965-67,
"EXP. S.M. 3-31" top, "MONTANA 69" bottom 1969-77,
"EXP. S.M. 12-31" top, "MONTANA 76" bottom 1976, 1979.
(Year date embossed 1969-70, debossed 1971-77, 1979.)
COLORS: Passenger colors 1955-58, Motorcycle colors 1959-77, 1979
(1968-75 dated "69" to "76").
1955 SM1220 1959 SM1889 1963 SM2923
1956 SM 374 1960 SM1888 1964 SM4691
1957 SM1791 1961 SM2587
1958 SM2353 1962 SM3806
1965-67 FORMATS: 1-1 - 9-999, 10-1 - 56-99
1969-79 FORMATS: 1-1 - 56-999
STATE OWNED
Ch. 29 P 2/16/1953. Began 1955.
Permanent undated plates all years.
LEGENDS: "STATE OWNED" top, "M" prefix 1955-58, 1964-79,
"STATE OWNED" top 1959-62 base.
COLORS: Exempt colors 1955-79.
1955-56 UND. M-2325
1957-58 UND. M 2857
1959-62 UND. M-2830
STATE OWNED TRAILER
Listed 1979 chart.
TRAILER
Ch. 181 P 3/22/1929, E 1/1/1930. Began 1930. Earliest seen 1931.
Starting 1953, issued only to trailers over 2,500 lbs. up to
6,000 lbs. As of 1964, listed as being issued to private and
commercial trailers 2,500 - 5,999 lbs. Full-size plates all years.
Embossed steel plates same as Truck issued 1944.
New plates issued 1947 and 1952.
1949: Same 3 die types as passenger.
1975: #809-DT and 809-LN seen - personalized?
LEGENDS: No legend, "TR" prefix 1931, 1933, 1943 tab,
"TR" after county code 1935-56,
vertical "TR" after county code 1957-58, 1976-79,
"TRAILER" top 1959-75. ("TR" tab 1943-66,
"TRAILER" sticker 1969, 1971, "TR" sticker 1972, 1974)
COLORS: White/Black 1947, Passenger colors 1949-51, 1953, 1955,
1957, 1959, 1963, 1967-68, 1970, 1972-79, Yellow/Blue 1952.
TABS: Orange/Aluminum 1954, Blue/Aluminum 1956, 1958,
Green/Yellow 1960, 1966, Green/Black 1961, 1964,
Black/Light Blue 1962, 1965.
STICKERS: Black/Light Blue and White 1969, Black/White 1971.
1930
1931 TR-21
1932
1933 TR-23
1935-46 FORMATS: 1-TR1 - 56-TR99 (1939 6-TR195, 1942 15TR206 seen)
1947-49 FORMATS: 1-TR1 - 56-TR999
1950-54 FORMATS: 1-TR-1 - 9-TR-999,
10-TR-1 - 56-TR-99, 10-TR100 - 56-TR999
1955-56 FORMATS: 1-TR1 - 56-TR999
1957-58 FORMATS: 1 T/R 1 - 9 T/R 9999, 10 T/R 1 - 56 T/R 999
1959-75 FORMATS: 1-1 - 9-9999, 10-1 - 56-999
1976-79 FORMATS: 1 T/R-1 - 56 T/R-9999
COMMERCIAL TRAILER
Ch. 215 P 3/5/1953. Began 1953.
Starting 1953, issued only to trailers over 6,000 lbs.
As of 1955, reportedly issued to trailers weighing from 6,000 to
25,000 lbs. As of 1964, listed as being issued to commercial
trailers <2,500 lbs. 1967-75 plates state "UNDER 6000 LBS.".
Small-size annual plates 1953-75 except stickers 1972, 1974.
Discontinued 1976; replaced by Trailer.
LEGENDS: "CML MONT 53" bottom 1953-64,
"CML. TR." top 1965-66,
"UNDER 6000 LBS." top 1967-75. ("TR" sticker 1972, 1974)
COLORS: Same as Light Private Trailer 1953-75 except Green/Aluminum 1965.
1953-58 FORMATS: 1TR 1 - 56TR 9
1959-64 FORMATS: 1TR 1 - 9TR 99, 10TR 1 - 56TR 9
1965 FORMATS: 1-1 - 9-99, 10-1 - 56-9
1966 FORMATS: 1-1 - 9-999, 10-1 - 56-9
1967 FORMATS: 1 T/R 1 - 56 T/R 999
1969 FORMATS: 1 T/R 1 - 56 T/R 999
1971 FORMATS: 1-1 - 56-99
1973-75 FORMATS: 1 T/R 1 - 56 T/R 99
LIGHT PRIVATE TRAILER
Ch. 215 P 3/5/1953. Began 1953.
Starting 1953, issued to trailers under 2,500 lbs, and all house
trailers. As of 1955, reportedly issued to trailers <6,000 lbs.
As of 1964, listed as being issued to private trailers <2,500 lbs.
1967-75 plates state "UNDER 2500 LBS.".
Small-size annual plates 1953-76 except stickers 1972, 1974.
LEGENDS: "MONT 53" bottom right 1953-64,
"PER. TR." (Personal Trailer) top 1965-66,
"UNDER 2500 LBS." top 1967-75, ("TR" sticker 1972, 1974)
"TRAILER" top 1976.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1953-58, Motorcycle colors 1959-79.
1953-57 FORMATS: 1TR 1 - 56TR 999
1954-64 FORMATS: 1TR 1 - 9TR9999, 10TR 1 - 56TR 999
1965-66 FORMATS: 1-1 - 9-9999, 10-1 - 56- 999
1967-75 FORMATS: 1 T/R 1 - 9 T/R 9999, 10 T/R 1 - 56 T/R 999
1974 SEEN: 56 T/R A8
1975 SEEN: 56 T/R B19
1976-79 FORMATS: 1-1 - 9-99999, 10-1 - 10-999
TRAILER DEALER
Ch. 245 P 3/10/1955. Began 1955. Earliest seen 1957.
Numbers appear to have begun at #201 in each county 1966-74.
1973-74: Suffix number sticker added.
1976-79: Embossed suffix number.
LEGENDS: "DTR" after county code 1957-58,
"TR DEALER" top 1964, 1966-67, 1970, 1973-75,
no legend, vertical "DTR" after county code 1976-79.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1957-58, 1966-67, 1970, 1973-75,
Black/White 1976-79.
1957-58 FORMATS: 1 DTR 1 - 1 DTR10
1966-75 FORMATS: 1-201 - 56-299
1976-79 FORMATS: 1 D/T/R 1-1 - 56 D/T/R 9-9
TRANSIT
Ch. 133 P 3/2/1953. Listed 1955. Earliest seen 1960.
Issued to transporters of new vehicles.
Small-size plate 1960, 1964-65, 1967, 1969-70, 1972, 1976-78.
Prefix designates the company plate assigned to, not county.
LEGENDS: Large "TRANS" top, "- 60/MONTANA" bottom 1960, 1964,
small "TRANS." top, "MONTANA 65" bottom 1965, 1967, 1969-70,
small "TRANS." top, "MONTANA (72)" bottom 1972, 1976-78.
COLORS: Motorcycle colors 1960, 1964-65, 1967, 1969-70, 1972, 1976-78.
1960 14-4 1967 10-8 1972 5-13
1964 10-8 1969 10-4 1976-78 2-86
1965 10-8 1970 9-4
TRUCK (See Truck page)
Ch. 199 P 3/5/1921. Began 1922.
Discontinued 2006; replaced by Passenger plates.
3U
Ch. 251 P 3/10/1955. Began 1955. Earliest seen 1960.
Last seen 1967. Issued to power units of Three Unit combinations
(Truck-tractor and two trailers, also called "double bottom").
3" x 12" size 1955, 1960, small-size plate 1966-67.
LEGENDS: No legend, "3U" prefix 1955, 1960,
"3U" top, "MONTANA 66" bottom 1966-67.
COLORS: White/Black 1960, Black/Aluminum 1966, Yellow/Black 1967.
1960 1457
1966 572
1967 2966
UNKNOWN TYPE "RP-TR"
Only seen on 1952 windshield sticker #RP-TR- 283.
USED CAR DEALER
Ch. 245 P 3/10/1955. Earliest seen 1956.
Annual plates 1956-69, 1972-75.
Numbers appear to have begun at #101 in each county 1964-75.
1956: 6" x 12", 1957 design, but some have tab slots (unlike Dealer).
1958-65: Multiple identical plates issued.
1970-75: Small number suffix sticker added.
1971: Sticker - White/Green "MONTANA" top,
Black/White "U. DEALER 71" bottom.
1976-79: Embossed number suffix.
LEGENDS: No legend, "UD" after county code 1956-58,
"U DEALER" top 1961, 1964-75,
no legend, vertical "UD" after county code 1976-79.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1956-75, Black/White 1976-79.
(Verify 1959-60, 1962-63)
1956-58 FORMATS: 1/ UD 1 - 5/6 UD 9
1961-75 FORMATS: 1-101 - 56-199
1976-79 FORMATS: 1 U/D 1-1 - 56 U/D 99-99
VINTAGE
Ch. 422 P 3/21/1973. Began 7/1/1973. Issued to antique vehicles
over 30 years old but manufactured after 1933. Permanent undated
Aluminum/Red plate issued. Debossed, "VINTAGE" top.
UND. (1973) 35 - 1890 (2098 thin dies, broken border)
PERMITS:
GVW FEE
Ch. 219 P 3/5/1951, E 1/1/1952 for Gross Vehicle Weight fee, but
but only "5" and "5A" windshield stickers issued.
Truck and Trailer windshield stickers seen 1955.
Ch. 258 P 3/10/1955, E 1/1/1956. Reported 1956. Earliest seen 1957.
Small supplemental plate 1957-76. Last seen 1976.
As of 1959, only issued to trucks over 24,000 lbs., or out-of-state trucks.
LEGENDS: "57 MONT" left 1957, "GVW FEE/EXPIRE/12-31-58" left,
"MONT. FARM" (or "MONT. FULL", "MONT SPCL." or "MONT. 7T5") top right 1958-60,
"MONTANA G.V.W. FEE" top left 1961-76 (dates on stickers only).
1962-76 stickers: A-D = Class?, 1-4 = Quarter, i.e. 1 = 3/31.
1957 1139-1 Black/Yellow
2437-4 - 6141-4 Black/White
6-30-58 "7T5" 3186 Black/Green
12-31-58 Farm 1988 - 55821 White/Red
Full 12280 - 42993 White/Red
Spcl. 1139 White/Red
6-30-59 Full 8205 - 8206 Black/Yellow
12-31-59 Farm 19070 White/Black
6-30-60 Full 11981 White/Red
9-30-60 Full 14775 White/Black
12-31-60 Full 2418 Red/White
PLATES STICKERS
1961 C1092 - White/Black Black/White
1962 2171 - Black/White Black/Gold
1963 1298 - White/Blue Black/Gold
1964 4755 - White/Dark Green Black/Gold
1965 7483 - 10505 Red/White Black/White
1966 41 - 12047 White/Blue Black/Gold
1967 5212 - 11676 White/Dark Green Black/White
1968 5488 - 14682 Dark Green/White Black/Green
1969 1014 - 9016 Red/White Black/White
1970 2740 - 14252 Black/Yellow White & Black/Green
1971 16995 - 24287 Red/White White & Black/Blue
1972 6318 - 15101 Black/Yellow White & Black/Green
1973 3787 - 19124 Yellow/Black Black/White
1974 1265 - 19750 White/Red Black/White
1975 2929 - 20356 Black/Yellow Black/White
1976 4789 - 20374 White/Blue Black/White
MONTANA RAILROAD COMMISSION
Official agency title was "Board of Railroad Commissioners".
Began 1/1/1938. Agency ended 1971.
Small supplemental plates issued 1937/38 to 1971/72.
1937/38: 1,061 issued. #5730 seen in White/Black, White/Green and
White/Dark Blue; assumed to be prototypes.
1938/39: 1,335 made. #E181 also seen.
1941/42: About 1,600 and 400 Trailer plates issued.
1942/43: Single plates began instead of pairs.
LEGENDS: "CAR" top, "37-38/MONTANA" bottom, vertical "MRC" right 1937/38 - 38/39,
"MRC - T" top, "39-40/MONTANA" bottom 1939/40,
"MRC" top, "40-41"/MONTANA" bottom 1940/41,
"MRC" top, "1941-42/MONTANA" bottom 1941/42, 1947/48 -49/50,
"MRC" top, "42 - 43/MONTANA" bottom 1942/43 - 44/45,
1950/51 - 64/65, "65 MRC 66" top, "MONTANA" bottom 1965/66 - 71/72.
("CAR" believed to stand for "Carrier".)
1937/38 Orange/Black 1955/56 5540 Black/Yellow
1938/39 1852 Black/Yellow 1956/57 1763 Blue/White
1939/40 6-115 Blue/White 1957/58 4235 White/Red
1940/41 1356 Black/Red 1958/59 4353 White/Blue
1941/42 1141 Black/Yellow 1959/60 7742 Black/Yellow
1942/43 1299 White/Black 1960/61 5873 Black/White
1943/44 1397 Black/White 1961/62 6720 Black/Orange
1944/45 997 White/Green 1962/63 9803 Black/White
1945/46 782 Black/Red 1963/64 6104 Black/White
1946/47 1964/65 8396 Yellow/Light Blue
1947/48 1808 White/Red 1965/66 9249 Black/Yellow
1948/49 1100 Black/Yellow 1966/67 8863 Black/White
1949/50 2982 White/Dark Green 1967/68 12280 Light Blue/Yellow
1950/51 2356 Black/White 1968/69 16799 White/Light Blue
1951/52 3175 Yellow/Blue 1969/70 16997 Black/Yellow
1952/53 1271 White/Red 1970/71 17902 Yellow/Light Blue
1953/54 4821 Black/Orange 1971/72 17178 Black/Aluminum
1954/55 4051 Orange/Black
MONTANA RAILROAD COMMISSION TRAILER
Earliest seen 1938/39. Last seen 1941/42.
LEGENDS: "TR" top, vertical "MRC" right, "38-39/MONTANA" bottom 1938/39,
"MRC-Tr" top, "39-40/MONTANA" bottom 1939/40,
same as Montana Railroad Commission 1941/42 except for "TR." prefix.
COLORS: Same as Montana Railroad Commission 1938/39 - 39/40, 1941/42.
1938/39 281
1939/40 S-147
1940/41
1941/42 TR.-323
PRESS
Began 1939. Supplemental permits probably issued by press association.
Small size plate.
LEGENDS: "PRESS" top, "MONTANA" bottom Undated 1939-42 plates,
"PRESS" top, "19 - 50/MONTANA" bottom 1950,
COLORS: Passenger colors 1939-42, 1950.
UND. (1939) -155- Orange/Black 1950 54
UND. (1940) -155- White/Blue
UND. (1941) -213- Blue/White
UND. (1942) -47- White/Black
SIGN PERMIT
Law E 6/24/1971. Earliest seen "Expires 1978 1979 1980".
Issued by Department of Highways.
Unknown material, Black/White and Orange, #07152.
