One of the best states for car owners to register their cars is Montana. That’s because the license fees are way lower compared to other states, and you won’t pay sales tax, especially if you use a Montana LLC. These are some of the reasons that many people, even non-residents, opt to register their cars in Montana.
But when it comes to registering your car in Montana, there are a number of things you should know. In this article, we explore some of the 5 essential things you need to know regarding how to register a car in Montana. Let’s delve into them.
1. There are different periods available for car registration in Montana
One of the essential things you need to know about Montana vehicle registration is that there are different time periods available for car registration. Residents can opt for a 12-month registration or 24-month registration. They can also choose to register their car quarterly if they are working or staying for a short period. In addition, there is an option for permanent car registration for certain cars.
For both the 12-month and 24-month vehicle registration, the car owner must pay all registration fees, county option tax, etc. It is worth mentioning that permanent vehicle registration is only available for vehicles that are over 11 years old, and the owner won’t have to renew the vehicle’s registration for the life of the vehicle or until they sell the vehicle.
2. You need to visit the County Treasurer’s Office to register your car
All vehicles are registered at the County’s Treasurer’s Office. For a newly-purchased car, a dealership will send paperwork to your County Treasurer’s Office. So to register your car or register a RV in Montana, you will have to visit the County Treasurer’s Office in person.
3. You must have all the necessary documents to register your car in Montana
Once you are at the County Treasurer’s Office, you must present certain documents for your car to be registered. Here are the documents you must provide:
- A completed registration application
- Proof of auto insurance
- The car’s title [if the car was bought from a private party, the title must be signed by the previous owner over to the new owner of the car].
4. Car registration fees vary
Another essential thing you need to know regarding car registration in Montana is that the registration fee isn’t the same for all cars. The fees vary depending on the type, age, size, value, and registration time period of the car. The registration fees are as follows:
- For vehicles that are 4 years old and under, the registration fee is $217
- For vehicles that are 5-10 years old, the registration fee is $87
- For vehicles that are over 11 years old, the registration fee is $28
5. You will receive your license plate once you register your car
Once you have registered your vehicle, you will receive your license plates. The expiration date, as well as the dates of registration, will be displayed on your license plate. The standard license plates expire after 5 years, after which car owners can replace them. You can let the best Montana registered agent help you register your car in Montana.
