Registration FAQs

Do I need to register my snowmobile?

Everyone must permanently register his/her snowmobile. The lone exception pertains to tour companies, like those in West Yellowstone. They are allowed to annually register snowmobiles used exclusively as rentals for the first two years, but after that, the machines must be permanently registered.

Do trailers need to be registered in Montana?

Indeed they do. All must be permanently registered. Fees are based on weight. If you're hauling a trailer less than 6,000 pounds the cost is $61.50. But if you're pulling a beastly sized trailer that tops the 6,000-pound mark, expect to pay $148.25.

What are the registration requirements for travel trailers?

They too must be permanently registered. If your trailer is less than 16 feet, you'll pay a flat fee of $72. But if it exceeds 16 feet, you'll owe $152.

My boat was permanently registered before the State's new law kicked in regarding validation decals. Must I comply?

Unfortunately, yes. But luckily, they are easy to obtain. Just contact your local Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks office, and it will immediately furnish you with two validation decals at no charge.

Do I need any special forms to register a new car I bought in Canada?

Besides the usual registration forms, you will also need a United States, not Canadian, customs entry document and a New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS) from the Canadian manufacturer.

I reside in Idaho but currently work in Montana. Do I still need to register my vehicle if there's no guarantee this job will last longer than a year?

You still must register. To ease the cost, the State does allow for special cases, such as yours, to register on a monthly basis.

Hey, where's my registration?

If you sent in your application and after two weeks your registration has not arrived in the mail, call the Title and Registration Bureau at (406) 846-6000. Before calling, consider contacting your bank and tracking the check. This way you'll have more information to help the bureau pinpoint the problem.

How do I go about getting a duplicate title?

Piece of cake. Submit an appropriately named Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title along with a $10 fee.

What's the procedure for ordering replacement license plates?

You must visit your local treasurer's office in person and complete an Application for Duplicate License Plate. Be sure to have your license plate number and be able to pay a $5 fee.

How do I apply for a duplicate registration certificate?

Easy. Just visit your local treasurer's office and pay a $2 fee. You will need to provide your license plate number.

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.

What's the story with nonoperational vehicles?

Actually, there is no story. Unlike most other states, Montana is extremely lenient toward owners of nonoperable vehicles. There are no back taxes in the state, so you do not have to keep your vehicle off the road for a designated number of months to avoid paying a registration fee. How long you keep your vehicle off the road is your call.

To resume operating your vehicle again, just visit your local county motor vehicle office, making sure to bring your vehicle's old registration certificate.

Where can I get more information?

Follow these links for further details about registering and titling cars, boats, RVs, and motorcycles:

• Car Registration

• Boat Registration

• RV & Motorhome Registration

• Custom-Built Car Registration

• Motorcycle Registration

• Title Transfers