Montana License Plate Lookup
How To Lookup Montana License Plates
Anyone looking to obtain or gather certain information about a vehicle in Montana needs a Montana license plate lookup service. Generally, a license plate lookup can return information such as a vehicle's make, model, body type, year of manufacture, odometer reading, and several other vehicle history reports. In Montana, there are two options for looking up a license plate.
The first is to contact the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the state's Department of Justice and request to obtain information on a license plate. The other option is to search online on third-party websites like GoodCar using a vehicle's license plates or the vehicle identification number (VIN). A Montana license plate search on the GoodCar website will give you basic information for free and a comprehensive vehicle report at a nominal fee.
License Plates
GoodCar offers reliable online vehicle search services. To search for certain information about a Montana-registered vehicle on this website using the vehicle's license plate, select Search by License Plate, enter the car's license plate number, choose Montana as the state, and click the search button. A Montana license plate lookup on GoodCar will reveal basic information like the make, year of manufacture, model, mileage, and color. However, with a small fee, you can get a more comprehensive vehicle report on any vehicle through its license plate.
VIN
Vehicle search using VIN works the same way as a license plate lookup. The VIN is a 17-character alphanumeric code that serves as a vehicle identification number and is unique to every motor vehicle. If you intend to search a vehicle's history in Montana or obtain certain information using the VIN on the GoodCar website, select Search by VIN, enter the VIN, and then select the search button. The VIN can be found within the owner's manual, on the driver's side doorjamb, or near the bottom edge of the windshield near the hood. With the VIN it's possible to input the data, though it's more difficult than using a license plate number would be.
Why Run a License Plate Search in Montana?
A Montana license plate lookup can help you pull up certain information about any car registered in the state, especially if you have a legitimate reason to do so. Generally, it is easier to search a vehicle's information using its license plate than the VIN because it may be more difficult to fetch the VIN. Running a license plate search is particularly recommended when purchasing a used car whose history you do not know. It is common for private sellers and even dealerships to hold certain details about a vehicle's history when selling a used car. For instance, they may not disclose whether a vehicle that is put on sale has ever been involved in an accident. With reports of numerous car crashes in Montana, it is best to run a license plate search on any used car you intend to buy so you can check reports like accident history, sale history, and recall history.
Furthermore, running a license plate search in Montana is important to avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle, especially with the several reports of car theft in the state. A license plate lookup will reveal whether a car has been reported stolen and prevent you from getting into trouble. Also, some legal investigations and proceedings in Montana may require uncovering certain information about a person, and a license plate search always comes in handy. Generally, law enforcement agencies are authorized to obtain identifying information from license plate lookups to assist in their investigations.
What Can You Get Out of a Montana License Plate Lookup?
Generally, a Montana license plate lookup will generate a comprehensive report on any vehicle registered in the state. Because license plate numbers are unique, they are often linked to certain information about the vehicle to which they are registered. Such information is created and preserved by the Montana Department of Justice. Some other state and local agencies can also manage information associated with vehicle registrations and license plates in the state. Although the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) prohibits the disclosure of certain motor vehicle records, including some license plate records, obtaining a comprehensive report on any Montana-registered vehicle using the vehicle's license plate number on GoodCar is still possible.
Vehicle Records
GoodCar is an approved National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data provider. Hence, it can provide consumers with several vehicle records, including registration history, accident history, repair history, odometer reading, theft records, recalls, and vehicle specifications.
Title Brands and Problem Checks
Conducting a Montana license plate lookup on GoodCar can help you find out whether a vehicle has a major problem or if the title has been branded, particularly if you intend to purchase a used car. Title brand is a designation on a vehicle's title paperwork indicating it has a blemished history, such as damage by flood, hail, fire, a major accident, and an odometer rollback, or it has been totaled.
Tracing a Vehicle’s History for Used Car Purchases with Montana Plate Checks
As part of due diligence, tracing a vehicle's history using its license plate with a reliable lookup service is important, especially before purchasing a used car. It can help you make an informed decision when buying a used vehicle and save you a lot of legal and financial trouble. A Montana license plate search service will reveal vital history reports, like a vehicle's sale history, recall history, accident history, and theft history.
Why Choose GoodCar for Montana Plate Lookups?
Requesters can benefit from extensive vehicle records and reports as they obtain information from accredited data providers like the NMVTIS. GoodCar also illustrates theft checks, collision records, recalls, flood, hail, or fire damage, and pricing.
Montana Resources
Montana License Plates
Montana started issuing license plates in 1914. The state's license plates display unique alphanumeric characters and are used to identify each vehicle registered by the Vehicle Services Bureau (VSB) of the Montana Department of Justice. All license plates in the state are manufactured by the state's Department of Corrections through the Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE). Each registered vehicle in Montana requires two license plates, one displayed at the front and the other at the back. In addition, a registration tab showing the month and year must be displayed on the rear license plate. Montana has over 200 license plate designs from which anyone can choose.
Standard License Plates
These are plates issued for all registered vehicles in Montana unless vehicle owners request to obtain other types of plates. The most recent design of the state's standard license plates was issued in 2010. The plate comes in a solid blue background with white lettering for the license plate number and state name at the bottom. Also written in white on a typical Montana standard license plate is the "TREASURE STATE" slogan. It costs $12.36 to obtain a new license plate in the state.
Sponsored License Plates
Montana's sponsored license plates are authorized under Section 61-3-4 of the state's Code Annotated 2023. These are license plates sponsored by eligible colleges, non-profit organizations, or government bodies, and they come in varying designs that identify the sponsors. The Wild Montana, Sustainable Montana, One Heart Warriors, Montana Support Our Troops, The Way Home MT, and Manhattan Town Council license plates are popular sponsored license plates in Montana.
Antique License Plates
In Montana, Antique license plates are issued to vehicles over 30 years old and those used exclusively as collectors' items rather than for general transportation. They are authorized for issuance by Section 61-3-411 of the state's Code Annotated 2023.
Military/Veteran License Plates
These license plates are issued solely to military personnel in Montana in honor of their service status, and they come in varying designs. The Montana Military/Veteran License Plates are given only to military personnel having served as a reserve member or active-duty member (or their surviving, unmarried spouse. They are issued in three categories, Reserve, Active Duty, and Veteran, for each military branch. Common designs of the Montana military/veteran license plates include the Purple Heart Veteran, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Army Veteran, Air Force Reserve, and Gold Star Family Family license plates.
Amateur Radio Operator License Plates
Montana's Amateur Radio Operator license plates are issued to vehicle owners with valid and unrevoked official amateur radio station and operators' licenses.
Physical Disability License Plates
These are issued to individuals with one or more forms of permanent physical disabilities, and issuance is authorized by Section 49-4-301 of the Montana Code Annotated 2023. The state's Physical Disability license plates feature a wheelchair symbol and come with parking permit placards.
How to Get a
License Plate in Montana
You can get a Montana license plate after titling and registering your vehicle with the Vehicle Services Bureau (VSB) of the state's Department of Justice. Typically, vehicle registration and titling processes in the state occur simultaneously, and all registrations take place at the local County Treasurer's Office. Vehicle owners are advised to contact their county treasurer's offices for additional information, as some require an appointment for title applications. You will be required to pay title fees, and the amount varies depending on the vehicle type, age, and weight. Generally, new residents in Montana must apply for a title and register their cars within 60 days of establishing residency.
Your County Treasurer's Office will issue your license plates once you have titled and registered your vehicle and paid all required fees and taxes. It takes around 30 days to process all the paperwork, and once the license plates are ready, you can visit the local County Treasurer's office to collect them. If the requested plates are not available immediately, the County Treasurer will issue you a 40-day temporary permit and notify you to pick up the permanent plates when they are ready. Typically, it costs $12 to obtain new Montana standard license plates. Anyone who wishes to personalize their license plate will pay an additional $25.75.
MT License Plate Renewal
Vehicle owners in Montana can renew their license plates in two ways: In person and online. For an in-person renewal application, take your Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice to your local County Treasurer's office and pay the required fees. A Montana license plate can be renewed online using the Vehicle Registration Renewal Service provided by the Motor Vehicle Division of the state's Department of Justice.
MT License Plate Replacement
You can request a Montana license plate replacement if the current one is damaged or lost. However, it is advised that you notify your local law enforcement whenever any of these happen. To replace a lost or damaged Montana license plate, visit your local County Treasurer's office with your current registration and a valid government-issued ID. You will be given some paperwork to complete and must pay certain replacement fees, depending on the license plate. Typically, it costs $12.36 to replace a standard license plate (new number) and $15.45 to obtain a duplicate plate (same type of plate and number).
Frequently Asked Questions about
Montana License Plate Lookups
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Can I Look Up MT License Plates for Free?
Yes, several online public databases like GoodCar offer free license plate lookup services, but such checks will only reveal a vehicle's basic information, such as the color, make, and model. However, with as little as $2.95, you can obtain comprehensive details and history reports on any Montana-registered vehicle using the GoodCar website.
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Can I Use Montana License Plate Lookup Services To Find Out About a Vehicle's Accident History?
Yes. A comprehensive report of any Montana license plate lookup will include accident history, which can help you determine if a used vehicle you intend to purchase has been involved in an accident.
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How Can I Register a Vanity License Plate in Montana?
A vehicle owner can register a vanity license plate in Montana by submitting a completed Application for Personalized License Plates Form at the County Treasurer's office in their county of residence. An applicant must specify the kind of plate background they want and pay all the necessary fees. Your choice plate number combination must not be offensive or misleading. Otherwise, the state's Department of Justice may deny your registration application.
