To make an appointment, please call 406-254-7970.
The Title & Registration Bureau regulates
the issuance of vehicle license plates. The following guidelines
and procedures apply:
- License plates are issued for a one-year period,
by the County Treasurer in the county where the vehicle is subject
to tax or fee.
- As of 2001, license plates for light vehicles
(1 ton or less) of any age may be registered for 24 months (2
years), or a permanent registration may be issued for vehicles
more than 10 years old. A two year registration costs 2 x 1yr
registration, and a permanant registration costs approximately
5 x 1yr registration. Please contact
our office for more information.
- A vehicle may be operated without plates for a
40-day grace period, before registration, by displaying a 40-day
permit issued by a dealer if purchased from a dealer; or a vehicle
purchase permit issued by the County Treasurer.
- Anniversary months for renewal of plates are assigned
according to the month in which the vehicle is first registered.
The anniversary month is identified by the decal on the license
plate.
- A renewal notice is mailed for passenger vehicles
and light trucks on the staggered system. Failure to receive the
notice does not relieve the owner of renewal responsibility.
- License plates stay with the owners and may be
transferred to another vehicle ONLY when proper application is
made through the County Treasurer's office.
License Plate Types
Vehicle owners can choose from several types of
license plates.
Standard Plates
The standard plate is issued to all vehicle owners
unless other plates are requested.
Personalized license plates are available on either
the standard plate or on specialized plates, for a fee of $35.50
for the original plate and $10 for each transfer or renewal of
that plate.
Special Plates
The following types of special plates are available:
Amateur Radio Operator Plate, which is available
to a vehicle owner who holds an unrevoked and unexpired official
amateur radio station license and operator’s license. The additional
fee for the plate is a one-time fee of $10.
Collector Plate, which is available for use on a
vehicle that is more than 30 years old and is used solely as a
collector’s item, rather than for general transportation. The
additional fee is $5 for vehicles weighing 2,850 pounds or less
and$10 for vehicles weighing more.
Collegiate License Plates, which depict the name
and a special logo for various public and private colleges in
Montana. Both two-year and four-year colleges participate in the
program. The additional fee is $30, which goes to a scholarship
fund at the selected school.
Military Plates, which are available in a variety
of styles to reflect an individual’s military experience. The
bureau issues plates for National Guard members, reservists, military
veterans, disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, survivors
of the Pearl Harbor attack, persons with disabilities, and veterans
who were awarded the Purple Heart. There is an additional fee
of $10 to be paid annually for veteran and Purple Heart plates.
To view specialty plate designs sponsored by organizations,
please visit the State
of Montana "Specialty Plates" page.