New To Montana? What The Numbers On License Plates Really Mean

If you’ve spent time driving through Montana, you’ve probably noticed that every standard license plate starts with a number. Those numbers aren’t random. They’re a nod to Montana history.

READ MORE: Old Farmer's Almanac Has New Epic Winter Outlook for Montana

License plates in Montana have gone through some eye-catching changes over the years. The first outline of the state appeared back in 1933 on an orange and maroon design. A few years later, in 1938, a bison skull made its debut—but only for a single year. Both symbols are still part of the standard plate you’ll see today.

What Do the Prefix Numbers on Montana License Plates Mean?

According to the Montana Association of Counties, the numeric prefixes on license plates were created to show the county where a vehicle was originally registered. So, when you see a “6” at the start of a plate, you’re looking at a car from Gallatin County. Spot a “49”? That’s Park County.

Get our free mobile app

Montana is also ahead of the curve when it comes to specialty plates. The state’s very first alternate design was introduced in 1958 for Amateur Radio Operators. Since then, dozens of plate options have been added, ranging from wildlife conservation to college pride. There are over 250 different options for specialty plates in Montana.

Montana began issuing license plates in 1913, and the prefix number was assigned in 1926, according to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. You can learn more about the history of license plates in Montana [here].

Here are the numbers you’ll see on plates across the Treasure State:

1 – Silver Bow

2 – Cascade

3 – Yellowstone

4 – Missoula

5 – Lewis & Clark

6 – Gallatin

7 – Flathead

8 – Fergus

9 – Powder River

10 – Carbon

…all the way to 56, which belongs to Lincoln County.

What started as a simple way to organize vehicle registrations has evolved into a quirky, enduring symbol of Montana's identity. For lifelong residents, those numbers bring a sense of pride. For newcomers, they’re a fun way to get to know the Treasure State, county by county.