How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Montana From Out of State
Establishing motor vehicle registration in Montana from another state necessitates compliance with procedures administered by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. New Montana residents must complete vehicle registration within 60 days of establishing residency in the state or within 60 days of obtaining employment in Montana, whichever occurs first. The registration transaction encompasses the payment of various fees, including registration charges, title application fees, and county option taxes, which are collected through the Motor Vehicle Division and county treasurer offices throughout Montana.
Base Registration and Title Fees
The financial obligations for registering an out-of-state vehicle in Montana include registration fees determined by vehicle age, weight classification, and intended use, as well as certificate of title charges and various administrative fees. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division Vehicle Registration page establishes the regulatory framework for all titling and registration transactions administered statewide.
Standard State Fees
Montana calculates registration fees according to vehicle age for passenger vehicles and implements weight-based fee structures for trucks and commercial vehicles. Registration periods are issued annually for most vehicle classifications. Detailed fee information is accessible through the Montana vehicle fee schedule.
Light Vehicles (Light vehicles, trucks, and buses that weigh less than 1 ton)
| Vehicle Age | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| 0-4 years | $217.00 |
| 5-10 years | $87.00 |
| 11+ years (annual option) | $28.00 |
| 11+ years (permanent registration) | $87.50 (one-time fee) |
Large Trucks (Heavy trucks, buses, and logging trucks that weigh more than 1 ton)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Large truck registration | $22.75 |
Motor Homes
| Vehicle Age | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $282.50 |
| 2-5 years | $224.25 |
| 5-8 years | $132.50 |
| 8+ years | $97.50 |
| 11+ years (permanent registration) | $237.50 (one-time fee) |
Motorcycles
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Highway use | $53.25 |
Boats
| Boat Length | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 16 feet | $65.50 |
| 16-19 feet | $125.50 |
| 19+ feet | $295.50 |
Snowmobiles
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Snowmobile registration | $60.50 |
Luxury Vehicle and Motorhome Fees
| Vehicle Type | Threshold Value | Additional Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury light vehicles | Retail value greater than $150,000 | $825.00 |
| Luxury motorhomes | Retail value greater than $300,000 | $800.00 |
Note: These fees are in addition to normal registration fees.
Title Fees
Montana requires certificates of title for all motor vehicles regardless of age. Title documentation establishes ownership and must be obtained for vehicles transferred from other jurisdictions. The Montana Vehicle Title Information applies uniformly across all counties.
Certificate of Title Fee Schedule:
| Transaction Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of title (light vehicles) | $12.36 |
| Certificate of title (other vehicles) | $10.30 |
| Replacement title | $10.30 |
County Option Tax
Montana authorizes counties to impose an optional vehicle registration tax of up to 0.7% of the retail value of the vehicle pursuant to Montana Code Annotated Section 61-3-537, which permits counties to adopt local option taxes for transportation infrastructure and general county purposes.
County option tax rates differ substantially across Montana jurisdictions. Vehicle owners should verify whether their county of residence has implemented an optional registration tax and determine the applicable rate through their county treasurer's office.
Government Agencies and Contact Information
Montana Motor Vehicle Division
302 North Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 444-3933
Official Website: Montana Motor Vehicle Division
The Montana Motor Vehicle Division operates as a division within the Montana Department of Justice and maintains regulatory authority over all vehicle titling and registration functions throughout Montana. The Division processes title applications, maintains vehicle ownership records, establishes fee schedules, and coordinates with county treasurer offices for registration service delivery across all Montana counties.
Montana Vehicle Licensing Offices
Montana delivers vehicle registration services through county treasurer offices in each of Montana's 56 counties. The county treasurer office directory provides comprehensive location information for registration services statewide. The following offices serve Montana's largest population centers:
Yellowstone County Treasurer
217 N. 27th St., Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 256-2802
Official Website: Yellowstone County Treasurer
Missoula County Treasurer
200 West Broadway Street, Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406) 258-4747
Official Website: Missoula County Treasurer
Gallatin County Treasurer
311 West Main Street, Suite 302, Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-3084
Official Website: Gallatin County Treasurer
Flathead County Treasurer
290 A North Main, Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-5680
Official Website: Flathead County Treasurer
Cascade County Treasurer
121 4th Street N, Number 1A, Great Falls, MT 59401
Phone: (406) 454-6860
Official Website: Cascade County Treasurer
Lewis and Clark County Treasurer
316 North Park Avenue, Room 136, Helena, MT 59623
Phone: (406) 447-8328
Official Website: Lewis and Clark County Treasurer
Ravalli County Treasurer
215 South 4th Street, Suite H, Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: (406) 375-6585
Official Website: Ravalli County Treasurer
Silver Bow County Treasurer
155 West Granite Street, Butte, MT 59701
Phone: (406) 497-6301
Official Website: Silver Bow County Treasurer
Lake County Treasurer
106 4th Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7217
Official Website: Lake County Treasurer
Lincoln County Treasurer
512 California Avenue, Libby, MT 59923
Phone: (406) 283-2400
Official Website: Lincoln County Treasurer
