Montana
Vehicle Resource Center
Known for its natural beauty, most Montana residents own and drive at least one vehicle throughout the year. All these vehicle owners need to keep up with driver's license renewals, insurance requirements, follow strict state laws, and much more to avoid any issues with their driving privileges.
Ownership and Maintenance
Maintaining a vehicle in Montana means completing a great deal of paperwork and going through regular renewal steps according to the local government. The residents who meet these requirements can legally own and operate vehicles; otherwise, they’d be fined. Get a clear look at each of the administrative tasks that must be completed in this section.
Many states require annual emissions or safety inspections. Montana does not have these requirements. Vehicle owners do not have to worry about having their vehicles inspected at all unless they bring a vehicle in from another state, in which case they must submit to a VIN Inspection at the local treasurer's office to verify the vehicle's identity.
As a vehicle owner in Montana, it's essential to have enough liability insurance coverage. Liability insurance is meant to pay for damages that occur during accidents. This coverage can be obtained through a licensed insurance agent in Montana.
The Minimum Coverage Requirements
Every vehicle owner must obtain the minimum coverage amounts for their vehicle. In Montana, the minimum coverage amounts are the following:
Every licensed insurance agent should know what the minimums are, making it easy to get the proper insurance coverage.
It's essential to have minimum liability insurance coverage, but many drivers opt for additional protection. At-fault drivers must pay for any damages that exceed their insurance policy after an accident. With extra coverage, this is less likely to be a problem.
Get additional information about Montana insurance requirements from this Montana insurance information page.
In Montana, most residents renew their vehicle registrations online. The online renewal process is simple and can be completed in a few minutes. Visit the renewal page, input information regarding vehicle identification, owner identification, and owner address, and continue to pay the renewal fee. This process is straightforward for vehicle owners, who have access to the proper information.
Any vehicle owners who do not wish to renew online can do so in person at a Montana MVD location. Once at an MVD, the owner can supply the same information listed above and make a renewal payment to renew the registration. No matter which method is chosen, the registration will be mailed to the address listed on it.
Learn more about the registration renewal process from the online platform here. Get access to registration and title forms at the MVD forms site.
It's essential to have a current Montana driver's license to legally drive while living in the state. Residents must renew their licenses at least once every 12 years. To go through this renewal process, they must present proper identification, residency information, and submit to a vision exam every other renewal.
Drivers may renew online or via mail for every other license renewal. Then, they must go to the MVD to have their photo taken and complete a vision exam every other renewal.
Residents may sometimes be asked to prove their identity, but the renewal process doesn't require that much documentation. Residents should bring documentation such as birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of residency to ensure the renewal process goes smoothly. These documents are necessary to upgrade to a Montana Real ID license.
Driver's License
A Montana driver's license has a standard cost of $62.32 for a standard and $67.47 for a Real ID. This is the price residents between 21 and 63 years old pay. Everyone else receives a discounted rate because they must renew sooner than 12 years.
See all the license rates on this rate page.
Registration Renewal
In Montana, light vehicles cost between $28 and $217 to renew, depending on their age. Large vehicles weighing greater than 1 ton cost $22.75 annually, and there are different rates for other, more specialized vehicles.
See the exact registration renewal rates for all vehicle types on this Montana MVD fee page.
Buying & Selling
When buying or selling a vehicle in Montana, there are strict regulations that must be adhered to. Residents must be prepared to file the proper paperwork and to follow the proper procedures to legally transfer vehicles to one another.
Return the Plates
The seller should remove their license plates before allowing the buyer to take away the vehicle. The plates can be put on another vehicle or submitted back to the MVD.
Remove any Liens
There must not be a lien on the vehicle when it is sold. If there is a lien for any reason, it must first be removed by the owner before they can sell the vehicle.
Get a Record of the Sale
When selling a vehicle, make sure to get a Bill of Sale to keep as a record. This document will serve as proof that the vehicle was sold to another individual. Provide a second for the buyer to keep for their records as well.
Provide the Certificate of Title
The buyer must obtain the original certificate of title when buying the vehicle to register and title it. The seller should supply this document during the purchase. The seller must fill out the back of the document with all the required information to enable the buyer to register and title the vehicle in their name.
Cancel Insurance
Once the vehicle is sold and gone, the seller should cancel the liability insurance they hold for the vehicle. This insurance is no longer required. Holding insurance for longer than necessary is a waste of money.
Research the Vehicle
Before purchasing any vehicle, buyers should get to know the vehicle as well as possible. The easiest way to do this is by obtaining a history report, such as the License Plate Lookup or Vehicle VIN Check report offered by GoodCar. These two services offer owner history, car accident history, vehicle specifications and features, open recall information, odometer data, and more. The information provided in these reports helps with deciding whether to purchase a vehicle or not.
Obtain the Certificate of Title
The buyer must obtain the original Certificate of Title from the seller before completing the transaction for the vehicle. The title is required to register the vehicle. The seller should fill out the back of the title and sign it to make it official.
Obtain Proper Liability Insurance
The buyer must work with an insurance agent to procure liability insurance for the purchased vehicle prior to registering it. Provide the agent with the VIN to insure the vehicle and get at least the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage to prepare the vehicle for long-term use.
Title and Register the Vehicle
With the title, proof of insurance, the Bill of Sale, and a valid driver's license or other proof of identity, the buyer can go to an MVD and register and title the vehicle. The buyer must supply an Application for Certificate of Title to the worker at the office and provide money to pay the registration fee. Once these two things are provided, the vehicle can be registered and titled.
There are several fees tied to purchasing a vehicle in the state of Montana. These fees all go to the buyer of the vehicle.
The Title
The buyer must pay $12.36 to title a light vehicle, $10.30 for trucks and buses, or a sliding-scale fee for other vehicles.
No Sales Tax
There is no sales tax on any vehicles sold in Montana. This saves buyers a huge amount of money compared to buying in another state.
Registration
Buyers should expect to pay between $28 and $217 to register their vehicle. Newer vehicles are more expensive, and the $217 price tag is the same for any vehicle less than five years old. For more detailed information about registration fees, see this Montana government webpage.
Laws and Regulations
Drivers in Montana are expected to adhere to strict laws. Many of those laws are common knowledge, but there are some details that drivers don't know. See information about some of the most common laws drivers don't understand fully:
Montana maintains clear seat belt laws that regulate adults and children alike. No matter the age of passengers or drivers, all must be properly buckled using seat belts or car seats. The driver will be fined a minimum of $20 when the seat belt laws are not followed, and penalties become worse when minors are involved.
Car Seat Regulations
All children aged six and under and under 60 pounds in weight must be fastened in a car seat or booster seat.
State guidelines suggest the following:
Rear-Facing Seat - Rear-facing seats should be used for children under one and under 20 pounds. Children may graduate to forward-facing when they exceed the weight or height regulations on the seat.
Forward-Facing Seat - Children above 20 pounds and over one year old may move to a forward-facing position. It's recommended that children only be graduated to forward-facing when they exceed the rear-facing weight or height.
Booster Seat - Children should only be placed in a booster seat when they are above the forward-facing seat's weight or height guidelines. They should remain in a booster seat until they are 4'9" in height or older than eight years, but can legally be removed at age seven or greater.
Get more specifics about Montana's seat belt laws from the state's seat belt guidelines.
In Montana, being caught driving under the influence of alcohol or other prohibited drugs is a serious offense that leads to jail time and significant fines.
DUI Limits
The limits that determine if a driver can be charged with a DUI are the following:
Any driver with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) higher than the legal limit when driving will be charged with a DUI. A first-time offender will receive a minimum of 24 hours of jail time and up to 6 months of jail time. They will also pay between $600 and $1,000, and the punishment becomes harsher if any of the passengers in the vehicle are under 16 years old.
Learn more about the penalties of a DUI charge in Montana by viewing the state's penalty guidelines.
Montana has a Lemon Law designed to protect consumers who purchase new vehicles. The law protects personal-use vehicles under 10,000 pounds in weight. The vehicles must be less than two years old and have fewer than 18,000 miles per the state's regulations. The law protects against serious manufacturer defects and states that vehicles deemed lemons must be replaced or refunded by the manufacturer.
Under the state's Lemon Law, any owner with a vehicle suffering from a dangerous defect in a part covered by the manufacturer's warranty is entitled to the manufacturer repairing the defect. The owner must send certified mail informing the manufacturer of the problem to form a legal paper trail.
If the manufacturer attempts to repair the vehicle for the same defect and fails three separate times, the vehicle is deemed a lemon. Legal action may then be taken against the manufacturer to ensure the vehicle is replaced or refunded.
Learn more about Montana's Lemon Law via this informational page.
Useful Things to Know
Along with the information above, these useful resources can help drivers and vehicle owners effectively meet their requirements in the state of Montana:
County Treasurer Locations: Access services provided by a county treasurer's office at any of the locations in this directory: Montana County Treasurers Location Directory
Montana Driver Manual: Any interested drivers attempting to get a license for the first time, out-of-state drivers attempting to switch to a Montana license, or drivers who want to brush up on state laws can use the online Montana Driver's Manual to do so: Online Montana Driver's Manual
Driver's License Exam Station Locations: Drivers attempting to take their license exam can go to any of the exam station locations to get the help they require: Driver's License Exam Station Locations
Locate EV Charging Stations: As an EV (electric vehicle) owner in Montana, it's essential to know where the nearest charging stations are at all times. This locator tool enables drivers to find stations effectively. Use the search tool to recharge when away from home: Montana EV Charging Station Search
Montana Car Crash Trends: While Montana is not the most dangerous state in terms of its car crashes, it isn't one of the safest either. In 2021, an estimated 222 fatal crashes occurred, leading to a total of 239 deaths, according to the IIHS. These fatal accidents were often caused by failure to wear a seat belt or due to intoxication, but determining all the causes for the accidents is impossible. Get a full understanding of Montana car accident statistics from GoodCar.
Get the Latest Montana Vehicle Information with GoodCar
Montana vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.