License Plate Roundup: Montana

Montana: History and Interesting Facts

Before we get into Montana’s license plates, let’s dive into some state background, including its history, notable features, and iconic nicknames.

When Was Montana Established as a State?

Before the establishment of Montana as a United States territory, multiple entities managed the soon-to-be state. Montana’s Eastern portion—located east of the Continental Divide—began as a portion of the Louisiana Territory, which the United States purchased from France in 1803. The Missouri Territory, established in 1812, held Montana’s Southern portion. Other designations included Indian Country from 1821–1854, Nebraska Territory from 1854–1861, and Dakota Territory from 1861–1863. 

The United States acquired Montana’s Western portion from Great Britain in 1846, which was originally designated as the Oregon Territory (1848–1853) and Washington Territory (1853–1863). Eventually, the entire soon-to-be state was bundled into the Idaho Territory in 1863. In 1964, the land was once again remapped into the Montana Territory. Twenty-five years later, on November 8, 1889, Montana officially joined the Union as the 41st state.

What is Montana Most Known For?

Montana is known for several features, though the most notable is its immense natural beauty and collection of breathtaking national parks. Montana possesses several unique topographical features, including the Rocky Mountains to the West, the Northern tip of the Bighorn Mountains to the South, and lush plains to the East. 

Though most of Yellowstone National Park resides in Wyoming, 3 percent of its 2.2 million acres sits in Southeast Montana. Known for its Geothermal activity, bustling wildlife, and beautiful scenery, Yellowstone National Park is a must-visit destination in North America. Glacier National Park also resides in North-Western Montana, offering 25 active glaciers and crystal-clear alpine lakes. 

Other standout features of the state include its ideal landscape for ranching, its sales tax exemptions (ideal for purchasing truck parts), and the Lewis and Clark expedition, which ran through the state in 1805 along the Missouri River.

What Are Montana’s Nicknames?

Montana has several nicknames, which all honor the state’s immense natural beauty and resources. These include: 

Big Sky Country: This nickname is often credited to author A.B. Guthrie Jr., who depicts the state’s breathtaking and untamed landscapes in his 1974 novel, The Big Sky.

Land of Shining Mountains: Originating from French-Canadian fur traders and explorers who colloquially called the Northern Rocky Mountains the "Shining Mountains".

The Last Best Place: Author Douglas Chadwick is said to have coined this nickname in his novel, A Beast the Color of Winter. However, writer William Kittredge popularized it in his text, The Last Best Place: A Montana Anthology. 

The Treasure State: This nickname stems from Montana’s abundant natural metallic resources, including gold, silver, and copper.

Montana License Plate Designs

With Montana’s history and notable features covered, let’s check out some of the state’s most memorable license plate designs. This section tackles the processes of acquiring Montana license plates, our staff’s top ten designs, and the requirements for each.

Regular, Custom, Special Interest, and Other License Plates

Acquiring a standard license plate in Montana is relatively simple, with license plates varying in up-front cost and yearly renewal fees depending on the design and custom text.

Regular Passenger, Commercial, and Motorcycle Plates

Standard Montana license plates, featuring the 2010–up white over blue design, come with a small fee. First-time registration requires a $12.36 new issue payment. Other fees during initial registration or acquisition of a new standard plate include: 

• $12.36 replacement plate fee (new number)

• $15.45 duplicate plate fee (same number and type of plate)

• $12.36 duplicate permanent tab fee

Personalized License Plates

Montana’s personalized license plate system is far more affordable than most other states, requiring only a one-time 25-dollar payment and an additional 10 dollars for each annual renewal or transfer. Personalized sponsored/special interest plates require the payment of personalized and sponsor fees.

Special Interest/Sponsored Plates

Special interest license plates, also called sponsored plates, align with particular groups and non-profit organizations, like the University of Montana, Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Vital Ground Foundation. Most special interest plates require a one-time fee or donation to the organization.

RealTruck® Favorites

With technical processes covered, let’s check out some cool designs. This section outlines RealTruck’s top ten Montana license plates, offering unique and timeless designs.

2010-Issued Standard “The Treasure State” Plate

Montana’s standard blue plate, first issued in 2010, sports an outline of the state and numbering in white, along with “the Treasure State” text along the upper edge to commemorate just one of the State’s many nicknames. The plate features a “10” after the Montana text to represent the issue year of the design—a feature used through the ’80s. Like several other Montana plates, the characteristic dot between the county prefix and the plate number is replaced with the familiar silhouette of a bison skull.

First-time registration of the standard 2010 plate requires a $12.36 new issue payment.

2006-Issued Standard “Big Sky Country” Plate

Up next is another nickname-sporting plate—the “Big Sky Country'' plate design from 2006. This license plate features a natural background of the rocky mountains, an outline of the state in gold over a blue/white sky, and black lettering. Traditional “Montana” script up top appears in gold, along with the “Big Sky Country” script just below. Like several other Montana plates, the characteristic dot between the county prefix and the plate number is replaced with the familiar silhouette of a bison skull.

First-time registration of the standard 2006 plate requires a $12.36 new issue payment.

1991-Issued Standard “Big Sky” Plate

This colorful plate design is characterized by a white/blue background, rainbow mountainous silhouette, and “Big Sky” text, once again referring to the state’s nickname. Like several other Montana plates, the characteristic dot between the county prefix and the plate number is replaced with the familiar silhouette of a bison skull.

First-time registration of the standard 1991 plate requires a $12.36 new issue payment.

1989-Issued Standard Plate

A subtle brown, tan, and white plate featuring a white state silhouette, mountainous background, blue numbering, and brown “100-years” and “Montana” text. 

First-time registration of the standard 1989 plate requires a $12.36 new issue payment.

Museum of the Rockies Plate

Who doesn’t like Dinos? The Museum of the Rockies plate features a blue background, contrasting yellow text, and a vibrant T-rex skeleton. The purchase of this plate aids the Museum of the Rockies, which aims to inspire scientific, historical, cultural, and artistic learning.

Registration for a Museum of the Rockies Plate requires a 50-dollar one-time donation.

Montana Rodeo Plate

Pay homage to the state’s history of ranchers and riders with the Montana Rodeo plate, featuring a vibrant blue and green gradient background, yellow rope outline of the state, riders and wranglers silhouettes, and “Montana Rodeo” text. This plate supports the Glasgow Rodeo Achieving Excellence Scholarship, which is awarded to second-year, full-time college students with a minimum 2.0 GPA. 

Registration for a Montana Rodeo Plate requires a 20-dollar one-time donation and a 20-dollar annual renewal fee.

Montana Environmental Information Center Plate

The Montana Environment Information Center Plate depicts a mountainous landscape, including a native grizzly bear near a river. “Last Best Place” text adorns the plate, representing another of the State’s iconic nicknames. This plate funds efforts to safeguard Montana’s most precious resources. 

The registration of a Montana Environmental Information Center Plate requires a 20-dollar one-time donation and a 20-dollar annual renewal fee.

Montana Public Policy Center “Don’t Tread On Me” Plate

This black and yellow plate sports the iconic “Don’t Tread On Me” text and rattlesnake logo, symbolizing American patriotism—coined during the Revolutionary War. This plate is presented by the Montana Public Policy Center, representing its mission to develop policy to increase access to economic opportunities and promote greater individual freedoms.

A Montana Public Policy Center plate registration requires a 35-dollar one-time donation and a 35-dollar annual renewal fee.

Montana FFA Foundation Plate

Support the Montana Future Farmers of America with the FFA Foundation plate. This plate features a black background with a sunlit silhouette, a white state outline, “Growing Leaders” text, and an FFA badge. Sales of this plate benefit the Montana FFA Foundation, which furthers the development of FFA participants.

Registration for a Montana FFA Foundation Plate requires a 20-dollar one-time donation and a 20-dollar annual renewal fee.

Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Plate

Honor the arduous journey of Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea with the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial plate, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the crew’s exploration of the North-Western United States. This plate features a tan background, blue silhouettes of the trio, a yellow outline of the state, and red “Montana” and “Lewis and Clark Bicentennial” text. Sales benefit the Montana Historical Society, funding Lewis and Clark-related projects. 

The registration of a Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Plate requires a 20-dollar one-time donation and a 20-dollar annual renewal fee.

License Plate Products and Accessories

We’ve discovered that Montana offers some of the country’s most unique and diverse license plates, honoring the state’s rich history and natural beauty. If you call Big Sky Country home, display your truck, Jeep®, or SUV’s license plate clearly and securely using our selection of license plate frames, holders, brackets, and relocation solutions. 

Stay tuned for our next License Plate Roundup feature, where we tackle another state’s top license plate artwork. And as always, contact the experts for all product inquiries and order assistance.