Causing Havoc When You Mess with This Vehicle Part – What Is It?

Montana is a unique place with even more unique people.  We like to do things our way.  On our own terms.  However, sometimes those things we like to do can have consequences when they don't align with the laws of the land.  When it comes to our license plates, this is probably one of the most overlooked things on a driver's part, but not for our law enforcement cruising up behind us.

With Every Rule or Law, there is An Exception Case by Case

Montana Code Annotated 2021 states in part insection 61-3-301 that:

 has the proper license plates conspicuously displayed on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer.

There is an exception case however, with the code also stating:

A motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer must have a single license plate displayed on the rear of the vehicle.

A custom type of vehicle also can fall into a separate code:

A custom vehicle or a street rod registered under 61-3-320(1)(b) or (1)(c)(iii) may display a single license plate firmly attached to the rear exterior of the custom vehicle or street rod.

Ok, Sure, Those Are Simple Ones.  What About the Little Laws?

Of course, keeping your tags current will alleviate a lot of problems when it comes to being pulled over for cause.  But there are other areas the code covers that might be cause also.

• A license plate must be securely fastened to prevent it from swinging and may not be obstructed from plain view.
• A person may not purchase or display on a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer a license plate bearing the number assigned to any county, as provided in 61-3-332, other than the county where the vehicle is domiciled or the county where the trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer is domiciled at the time of application for registration.

It is also unlawful to do any of the following to your license plate in Montana:

• display license plates issued to one motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer on any other motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer unless legally transferred as provided by statute.
• repaint old license plates to resemble current license plates.
• "conspicuously displayed" means that the required license plates are obviously visible and firmly attached.

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