Montana News

Specialty license plates create colorful MT roadways

Posted: Feb 7, 2012 9:42 AM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News
Updated: Feb 7, 2012 9:42 AM

BILLINGS - It's a simple process. In order to drive a car in Montana, you must have a license plate. Here in the Treasure State, you have a few options aside from the generic blue plate.

"We went with ZooMontana," explains Yellowstone County resident, Dave Snow. "My wife likes the color and our kids like the zoo.

Alright, let's be honest, I may have been conservative when I said a 'few options.' Fact of the matter, there's a lot of options.

"Overwhelmed," Snow admits while talking about the decision-making process. "A lot of choices."

County Treasurer Max Lenington chuckles at that reaction.

"They're flabbergasted when they stand under our wall of plates there," Lenington says.

Rightfully so. When you walk into the Yellowstone County Motor Vehicle Department, there's one thing that stands out to most people. A colorful wall of specialty plates.

"Today we have 132 different, distinct specialty plates," explains Lenington. "Each bearing a little different motif."

It's been more than a decade since the specialty plates were first introduced and their appeal has not gone away.

"It was popular when it was initiated and it's been popular ever since," Lenington states.

And the options continue to increase. In fact, just last week seven new plates were introduced.

From schools and towns to non-profit organizations and alumni groups, it seems Montana drivers are more than willing to support a cause, including its price tag.

"They run from probably $40-$70 initially to get and then every year you get the renewal you pay the donation again and that runs from $20-$40," Lenington explains.

In addition to supporting a cause, many drivers admit they simply like the design.

"Well they're pretty!" Lenington says. "They're very attractive in some cases. They're just neat."

Regardless of the reason for purchasing a specialty plate, one thing is for certain: they're making Montana's roadways quite a bit more colorful.