Montana



Montana issued this Bicentennial themed plate in 1976. The digit on the left side of the dot indicates a county code. The plate on the left would have been issued in Yellowstone County. However, it does not have an expiration month sticker like the plate on the right, and was probably not given out. The plate on the right is from Mineral County, and contains a June expiration sticker.

1977 Montana expiration tabs were issued in 1976. Below is a Montana license plate from Missoula County that was issued in July 1976 and set to expire in July of 1977. Next to it is a low numbered Montana plate set to expire in October of 1977 and issued in Silver Bow County.



1975 Montana license plates were still allowed to be used the first couple months of 1976 before the staggering of registrations started in that year. The 45 on this one would indicate it was issued in Prarie County.


Sample versions of the 1976 Bicentennial plate

This version of the 76 Montana sample plate has a sample 77 and 78 expiration sticker, as well as a sample May sticker.


1976 Montana truck plate as noted by the T after the county code number. This plate was issued in Fergus County. A sample version of the plate is shown on the right.


1976 Montana trailer plate issued in Missoula County. A sample version is shown on the right.


1976 Montana vanity license plate, and low number plate issued similar to a vanity plate.

1975 and 1976 Montana amateur radio operator license plates. The 75 plate was allowed the first few months of 1976.

On the left, Montana Car Dealer plate used in 1976. The 14 on the left indicates it was issued in Custer County.
On the right, is a Montana Used Car Dealer from that was issued in Missoula County.

1976 Montana used car dealer plate used through 1979 issued in Yellowstone County.

1976 Montana trailer dealer sample plate.


The ALPCA Archives notes that this Ex-Prisoner of War plate was issued in 1983 using the 1976 design.

1976 Montana National Guard license plate. Sample version shown on the right.


Disabled veteran plate first issued in 1984 on the 1976 base. Sample version is on right.


Plate issued to the disabled beginning in 1984 utilizing the 1976 base.


Army and Navy reserve plates first issued around 1984 using the 1976 base.

Blank version of the 1976 Montana Marine Corps Reserve base plate

Montana Highway Patrol 1976 sample on the left. On right is a regular Montana Highway patrol plate on the 1976 base.

Above is a 1976 style Montana Highway Patrol plate not used until 1986. A 1986 buffalo skull watermark in the center of the plate which cannot be seen with a regular scan indicates the age of this later issue of a 1976 style plate.

1976 issued Montana exempt plate. The 26 on the left indicates it was used in Pondera County. A sample is shown on the right.


1976 issued Montana state owned vehicle plate. A sample version is shown on the right.


Montana Fish & Game Department license plate of the style used during 1976.


Large tab placed on 1976 Montana apportioned trailer plate on the left, shown below.

The P prefix on the plate on the apportioned plate on the right shown above means it was utilized on a truck or tractor rig.


Pioneer vehicle license plate of the type used in Montana in 1976. Sample plate shown on right.

Vintage vehicle license plates of the type used in Montana in 1976 with sample version showing on right.


1976 Montana motorcycle plate. The 44 on the left indicates it was issued in Wheatland County. A sample version of the plate is shown on the right.

1976 Montana exempt motorcycle plate. The 2 on the left indicates it was issued in Cascade County.


1976 Montana small personal trailer license plate. The 44 on the left indicates it was issued in Wheatland County.


Special Mobile license plate expiring in early 1976. These plates were mounted on well drilling trucks, trucks with welding equipment, etc. The 30 on the left indicates it was issued in Deer Lodge County. On the right, is a Special Mobile license plate expiring at the end of 1976. The 29 on the left indicates that it was issued in Rosebud County.


Reflective bicycle license sticker expiring on July 1, 1976, for Whitefish, Montana


1976 Montana blank used for making license plates.


Montana Hollywood prop license plate made of soft cardboard like material
Most of the plates shown here came through the help of Earl Jenson of Polson, Montana, ALPCA #355
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    Montana Department of Motor Vehicles

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