In 1933 and 1934, the state of Montana led the U.S. in traffic fatalities with a 74% increase over those two years. The call for a measure of effective traffic law enforcement from Big Sky Country's citizenry and law makers was clear and urgent.

The birth of the Montana Highway Patrol commenced the following year, 1935. The force saw its first 24 recruits extracted from a pool of 1500 candidates, and Ford Coupes and Harley Davidsons were the patrol vehicles of choice.

The MHP officers were only permitted to enforce 11 traffic laws at the time. Education of road safety was the emphasis. In the first year of the MHP's mandate, there was a 25% decrease in traffic fatalities.

In 1948, the Driver License Bureau was created within the Montana Highway Patrol to administer the written and driving tests necessary to get a driver's license. In 1961,Montana Highway Patrol officers assumed the enforcement of gross vehicle weight laws on the motor carrier industry.

In 1972,The Montana Highway Patrol was reorganized as a bureau within the Montana Department of Justice, resulting in the elimination of the Highway Patrol Board. The MHP saw another reorganization in 1979 with the Driver License Bureau moved from the Highway Patrol to the Motor Vehicle Division. Civilian employees assumed the testing duties previously performed by Highway Patrol officers.

A true honor was bestowed upon the MHP in 1988 when the agency became the first state highway patrol in the nation to become nationally accredited. The accreditation process took three years to complete and was considered a critical element in enhancing the professionalism of the Montana Highway Patrol.

Today, the 200+ officers of the MHP patrol 33,000 miles of roadways via eight patrol districts within the state and answer on over 70,000 calls for assistance every year.

License Plates of the Montana Highway Patrol

The Montana Highway Patrol is one of only a handful of state law enforcement agencies who were issued distinctive "agency specific" license plates since their inception.
The agency used the same annual standard passenger car type license plate in the same color and format, however the prefix P-X (Patrol Exempt) was placed ahead of the assignment number from 1935 until the dash was dropped for the 1938 issue.
Montana Highway Patrol has used the assigned Patrolman's badge number on the plate, but it is not 100% confirmed if that practice went as far back as the 1930's.
The colors and formats are as listed below:

1935: Embossed steel. Approx. 5 3/4" x 13 1/2". White over black. State outline perimeter. P-X ### over MONTANA- 35

1936: Embossed steel. Approx. 5 3/4" x 13 1/2". Black over orange. State outline perimeter. P-X ### over 36- MONTANA

1937: Embossed steel. Approx. 5 3/4" x 13 1/2". Black over green. State outline perimeter. P-X ### over MONTANA- 37

1938 Embossed steel. Approx. 5 3/4" x 13 1/2". Black over orange. State outline perimeter. PX- ### over MONTANA- 38 with PRISON MADE in 3/8" letters embossed at bottom center.

1942: Embossed steel. Approx. 5 3/4" x 13 1/2". White over black. State outline perimeter. PX- ### over MONTANA- 42 with PRISON MADE in 3/8" letters embossed at bottom center.

In 1943, the state of Montana, much like all other states in the US at the time was in a campaign to conserve metals for the war effort. As a result, full-size license plates were foregone for a 5 3/4 inch by 2 1/4 inch validation tab made to fit over the left side 2 1/4 inch section of the 1942 plate (as seen in photo above). The tab had the western outline of the state to "marry-up" with the remainder of the state outline on the 1942 issue beneath it. There was a 3/16 inch serial number stamped into the bottom of the tab that was to reflect the validation of the 1942 registration number. These tabs were manufactured from scrapped Montana license plates and often revealed the bygone markings under the paint.

1946: Embossed steel. Approx. 5 3/4" x 13 1/2". Black over white. State outline perimeter. PX- ### over MONTANA- 46 with PRISON MADE in 3/8" letters embossed at bottom center.

1947 saw the issuance of a windshield decal to validate the 1946 license plate. The decal measured 3 inches by 5 3/4 inches and colored in black and orange over white as seen in photo below. The validation number box would have comprised of the PX-### registration number if the Montana Highway Patrol used these windshield decals. There is no confirmation of such, only speculation thusfar.

In late 1949 and into 1950, the state of Montana introduced a new license plate design. The new plates were still made of embossed steel and measuring 6 inches by 13 1/2 inches. The same format including the state outline was used, however a smaller die was used for the registration number to not only permit more numbers for the increasing motor vehicle population, but also to accommodate the state slogan THE TREASURE STATE along the top of the plate.

In 1955, Montana Highway Patrol vehicles were issued with new STATE OWNED license plates. The traditional PX prefix was dropped and a number in the 100 series was issued solely for the MHP. The plates still measured 6 inches by 13 1/2 inches, made of embossed steel and utilized the state outline as its perimeter. STATE OWNED was centered at the top, however some versions used the state slogan THE TREASURE STATE in that position.
An assignment number in the 100's occupied the center field of the plate with MONTANA in the bottom center. These plates were revalidated for 1956.

In 1957, the state of Montana "replated" once again. The new plates were still made of embossed steel but now complied with the new continental standard sizing of license plates at 6 inches by 12 inches. The state outline was dropped in favor of a standard perimeter border. There was no state slogan, only PRISON MADE in 3/8" letters embossed sideways along the inside of the left border of the plate.
MONTANA - (No year indicator) occupied the lower portion of the plate .
STATE OWNED was embossed once again along the top of the plate with an assignment number in the 100 series embossed in the center.
The use of these plates was extended into 1958.

In 1967, the Montana Highway Patrol were issued STATE OWNED license plates but now with their own prefix of MHP which preceded the assignment number.
This format was used until the end of 1975, however the MHP-### registration number has carried-on uninterrupted until today.

In 1976, US Bicentennial celebrations were in full-swing and many states issued commemorative license plates with a bicentennial theme. Montana was no different, and they issued a graphic multi-year license plate that served on Montana motor vehicles for over a decade.
The plates had embossed numerals and a step border on an aluminum base. The embossed characters were painted blue over a reflective white field with all other features silkscreened. The state outline in red served as the perimeter of the plate. The 76 Bicentennial logo preceded the state name MONTANA in white over a wide red band which spanned the top portion of the plate just below the upper mounting holes. The bottom left corner featured a buffalo head motif in blue. The slogan BIG SKY in blue occupied the bottom center and '76 in blue occupied the bottom right corner.
From 1977 until approximately 1980, the MHP license plates were validated annually with decals for those years. Shortly thereafter, a reflective white decal was used instead as someone finally determined that tax exempt vehicles did not need to bear any validation decals.
The latest versions of these plates issued around 1986-1987 had no dot to separate the letters from the numbers. It was also the time where higher ranked officers began being issued double digit badge numbers which were reflected on the license plates issued to them. For example, Captains were issued with numbers 11 through approximately 24. Sergeants were issued 25 through approximately 150 and patrolmen had all the numbers after that.
These plates were taken out of service by the MHP in late 1987.

In January of 1988, the state of Montana was preparing for their State Centennial.
As part of this milestone, the state issued centennial license plates for all motor vehicles including the Highway Patrol.
The plates had embossed numerals and a step border on an aluminum base. A reflective white silhouette of the state is imposed over a reflective gold background. A mountain range motif is silkscreened in dark brown and occupies the space over the numerals. 100 YEARS is silkscreened in dark brown in the lower left corner and MONTANA is silkscreened in brown also but from the lower center to lower right portion of the plate. The letter O for MONTANA is the Centennial logo which reads MONTANA Centennial 1889-1989.
These plates were used by the MHP until they were replaced in 1991.

With the state centennial celebrations long behind them, the state decided in 1991 to issue a whole new license plate design for the motor vehicles of Big Sky Country.
The new plates which were also used by the MHP once again featured embossed numerals and a step border on an aluminum base. The numerals were painted in dark blue. The background of the plate is a reflective medium blue at the top which gradually fades to lighter blue and to white as it approaches the bottom portion of the plate. MONTANA is silkscreened in white at the top left corner of the plate. Immediately below and running straight across the span of the plate is a jagged set of lines representing Montana's mountains and then flattens-out to represent its prairies. The lines are colored yellow, orange and magenta. BIG SKY is inscribed in dark blue cursive font to the left of the lower right mounting hole and a dark blue bison head is situated just to the right of lower right mounting hole. The traditional outline of the state takes up its place as the perimiter in very light blue. There is also a partial border in white that proceeds from the tip of the A in the state name across to the inside edge of the upper right border and proceeds down to the top of the prairie line design.
Later versions of this type of plate used by the MHP had the words STATE OWNED silkscreened in white just below the upper right mounting hole.

With the advent of the new Millenium, the state of Montana released new license plates for all motor vehicles for the year 2000, and these plates were also displayed by the Montana Highway Patrol.
The new plates once again featured embossed numerals and a step border on an aluminum base. The embossed numerals were this time painted in black. The background of the plate was a mixture of reflective medium blue, light blue and white depicting the Big Sky. The state name was silkscreened in medium blue and centered just below the upper mounting holes. Above that was 2 0 0 0 spaced widely and in a small font in white. A motif of a purple mountain range and straw-colored prairie occupied the lower center of the plate.
The blue cattle skull and BIG SKY flanking its image occupied the lower corner.

The early 2000's provided more uncertainty than clarity as to the license plate usage by the Montana Highway Patrol. The state of Montana at this time began issuing so many special graphic license plates, that there was a lot of overlap and variety on what was gracing the bumpers and back decks of motor vehicles in the Big Sky State during this time.
The writer has had to rely on determining vehicle model years to determine the time usage for some of the MHP license plates used since the early 2000's.
One such type was released in 2001 and used well-into 2006 and was issued to commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. This was the first MHP license plate that was entirely silkscreened. Only the step-border of this aluminum plate was embossed. The MHP prefix and numerals were silkscreened in black. To the right of the numerals, blue graphic silhouette figures of Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea take their place. A large outline of the state bordered in yellow covers the background. MONTANA silkscreened in burgundy occupies the top of the state image. LEWIS & CLARK BICENTENNIAL is silkscreened in burgundy at the bottom over a horizontal band and the Bicentennial logo in the same color in the bottom left corner.

In 2006 another graphic license plate was issued in Montana. This was another "all-screened" aluminum plate with an embossed step border. This one also had the MHP and assignment number silkscreened in black. The background starts at the top in reflective blue and fades to white towards the bottom. The bottom of the plate features a row of sage-colored mountains leading to foothills then leading to prairies from left to right. MONTANA is silkscreened in gold and black stylized font at the top over BIG SKY COUNTRY in black top. A faint gold outline of the state encloses most of the perimeter of the plate.
These plates were used by the MHP until 2008.

In 2008, the Montana Highway Patrol capitalized on the state's "special license plate craze" by having a graphic license plate made for its sponsored charity, the Montana Hope Project. These aluminum plates were entirely flat and entirely silkscreened. They had a reflective light green background bordered in white. MONTANA occupied the top center to top right portion of the plate silkscreened in black and outlined in yellow. GRANTING WISHES TO MONTANA'S ILL CHILDREN was spelled-out in black below it. The MHP and assignment number was once again silkscreened in black in the center field of the plate with www.montanahope.org screened in black at the bottom center. The logo of the charity occupies the entire left portion of the plate which features a brown bear in MHP uniform with three children above a yellow banner which reads MONTANA HOPE PROJECT in black.
The slogan "The Bears That Care" is curved below the logo in yellow-trimmed black.
These plates were used until 2010.

2010 marked the 75th Anniversary of the Montana Highway Patrol, and what better way to commemorate the occasion than yet another new license plate for its fleet!
These plates were also entirely flat silkscreened aluminum. The plates were black and trimmed in reflective white. MONTANA appears between the upper mounting holes in white directly over the MHP prefix and assignment number also in white. The full-color emblem of the MHP occupies the center left portion of the plate. The slogan SERVICE.INTEGRITY.RESPECT is screened in yellow with white separators. SERVING MONTANA FOR is screened in white to the left of a diagonal multi-linear graphic occupying the lower right corner of the plate with 75 in the center circle in yellow over YEARS in white.
These plates were used until 2015 it is believed.

It is believed that around 2015, the Montana Highway Patrol made a very inconspicuous change to their license plates. The diagonal multi-linear graphic occupying the lower right corner of the plate with 75 in the center circle in yellow over YEARS in white had the 75 replaced by the MHP star/badge motif.
Otherwise, the plates look identical to the 75th Anniversary plates.
These plates were used until 2019.

Sometime in 2019, the Montana Highway Patrol re-visited their showcasing of the Montana Hope Project on their license plates as they did 10 years earlier. This time, the plate was colored black over yellow and white. The yellow spanned the upper portion of the plate just below the borderline and faded to white just below the state name centered between the upper mounting holes. 'GRANTING WISHES TO MONTANA'S ILL CHILDREN' was screened directly below the state name. The upper right corner had a "tick box" with "Kid Approved!' inscribed.
The Montana Hope Project emblem with slogan; "The Bears That Care" occupied the center left of the plate preceding the assignment number (MHP###).
The bottom span of the plate depicts a mountain range in black, white and yellow with 'www.montanahope.org' in white at the lower center.

Somewhere around late 2022 and early 2023, Montana Highway Patrol unveiled perhaps the most stunning graphic state law enforcement license plate yet.
"Nightime blue mountain" is the best way to describe this plate.
The background is a snow-covered mountain bathed in cool blue light against a night sky with coniferous trees in the lower left and middle foreground.
The "Vigilante Cattle Skull" motif in white occupies the upper right corner. MONTANA spans the top center of the plate also in white.
A full-color (gold) MHP badge is situated at the far left center ahead of MHP### in white silkscreen.
"Serving Montana Since 1935" is inscribed below the registration number and SERVICE INTEGRITY RESPECT is inscribed in white below the lower state outline.   

A Career's worth of Montana Highway Patrol License Plates

Special Issues

Motorcycle License Plates used by Montana Highway Patrol

The Montana Highway Patrol began in 1935 with six motorcycles in its fleet.
By 1940 that number dropped down to five.
By 1947 the MHP disbanded the use of motorcycles for patrol.
No special license plates plates were issued to the MHP, just standard motorcycle license plates in the 200 series.
As seen in the photo below, plates number 225, 226, 227 and 228 were used on these four MHP cycles. They would have measured approxmately 2 1/2 inches by 9 inches and made of embossed steel. The would have had MONT embossed in the upper left corner and the last two digits of the year below it.
No other types are known.