MT · Registration fee guide

Montana car registration fees

Last verified 2026-10-29 · View sources

Base registration feeVaries by vehicleFee source ↗

EV / hybrid feeNot published / Not publishedSee applicable rules

Typical example total$236.0012-month renewal example

Montana charges a flat light-vehicle fee by age, plus small state add-ons.

Your itemized estimate

Estimate your registration

Use your vehicle details to calculate the listed fees. Amounts reflect the schedule verified in 2026.

Start with the published example below, then adjust the details for your vehicle.

Published example · listed fees

$236.00

12-month renewal example

Where the fees go

State fees$236.00
County / local$0.00
One-time$0.00

View breakdown data

Where the fees go — amounts in USD
Category	Amount
State fees	$236.00
County / local	$0.00
One-time	$0.00

Itemized estimate, with official fee sources
Fee	Amount
Light vehicle registration fee	$217.00
Highway patrol account fee	$10.00
State parks fee	$9.00

Limited data: this is a subtotal of published fees. Missing fees are not included. Estimate only. Includes only the fees listed here; other taxes, penalties or local charges may apply. Confirm with the official agency.

What’s not included

DRAFT: the county local option tax (up to 0.7% of the depreciated MSRP, or a flat fee, 61-3-537) is set county by county and MVD publishes no statewide rate table, so it is not included and can be a large part of the bill. MVD's light-vehicle page also mentions a '3% Administrative Fee' on the registration rate without defining it, and no MVD page lists insurance-verification or county transaction fees for light vehicles, so totals may be understated.
EV class definitions (61-3-571) were not checked; the class 1 rate is shown.
Vehicles 11 years or older may register permanently for $87.50 plus five times the county option tax (61-3-562).
Owners can choose a 12-month or 24-month registration, or permanent registration for vehicles 11 years or older (MVD light-vehicle page).

Confirm with Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division

Registration fee schedule

Only applicable fees contribute to your estimate. Optional fees are excluded unless selected. One-time fees apply only to new registrations.

Montana fee rules · verified 2026-10-29
Fee	Amount or rule	Applies to
Light vehicle registration fee	Up to 4 years: $217.00; Up to 10 years: $87.00; Older vehicles: $28.00 61-3-321(2)(a): $217 for 4 years old or less, $87 for 5-10 years, $28 for 11 years or older. Vehicles with MSRP over $150,000 and 10 years old or less pay $825 more, which this calculator does not apply.	All listed vehicles All listed vehicles
Highway patrol account fee	$10.00 61-3-321(20): $10 for the account in 44-1-504.	All listed vehicles All listed vehicles
State parks fee	$9.00 61-3-321(19): $9. Owners may opt out.	All listed vehicles All listed vehicles
Optional opt-in fee	$5.00 61-3-321(21): $5 voluntary fee.	Optional All listed vehicles; optional
Electric vehicle fee (class 1)	$130.00 61-3-572: $130 a year for a class 1 electric vehicle; class 2 pays $190.	See conditions fuel type: electric
Plug-in hybrid fee (class 1)	$70.00 61-3-572: $70 a year for a class 1 plug-in hybrid; class 2 pays $100.	See conditions fuel type: phev
New license plates	$12.00 61-3-321(13): $12 when new plates are issued.	New registration All listed vehicles; one-time
Certificate of title	$12.00 61-3-203(1)(b): $12 for a light vehicle until June 30, 2028 ($7 from July 1, 2028).	New registration All listed vehicles; one-time

How Montana fees work

Montana charges a flat light-vehicle fee by age, plus small state add-ons. Counties can add a local option tax. Vehicles 11 years or older can be registered permanently.

The listed registration period is 12 months. Agency information

Cost factors: age, fuel.

Electric & hybrid surcharges

Electric: Not published in the listed schedule. Fee source

Choose the matching fuel type in the calculator to include the applicable surcharge.

Worked example

2023 gas car, renewal: $217 registration + $10 highway patrol fee + $9 state parks fee = $236. County option tax is extra.

Listed total: $236.00

See the fee rules and sources above

Common questions

How are Montana registration fees calculated?

Montana charges a flat light-vehicle fee by age, plus small state add-ons. Counties can add a local option tax. Vehicles 11 years or older can be registered permanently.

Where can I confirm my final registration cost?

Confirm the final amount with Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division. Its official website is linked below the calculator and in this guide’s sources.

What other limitations should I consider?

DRAFT: the county local option tax (up to 0.7% of the depreciated MSRP, or a flat fee, 61-3-537) is set county by county and MVD publishes no statewide rate table, so it is not included and can be a large part of the bill. MVD's light-vehicle page also mentions a '3% Administrative Fee' on the registration rate without defining it, and no MVD page lists insurance-verification or county transaction fees for light vehicles, so totals may be understated. EV class definitions (61-3-571) were not checked; the class 1 rate is shown. Vehicles 11 years or older may register permanently for $87.50 plus five times the county option tax (61-3-562). Owners can choose a 12-month or 24-month registration, or permanent registration for vehicles 11 years or older (MVD light-vehicle page).

Sources and last checked

Sources

Light Vehicle Registration and Fees Montana Motor Vehicle Division
MCA 61-3-321 Registration fees Montana Legislature
MCA 61-3-572 Electric vehicle fees Montana Legislature
MCA 61-3-562 Permanent registration Montana Legislature
MCA 61-3-537 County option tax Montana Legislature
61-3-203 Fee for original certificate of title Montana Legislature

Last verified 2026-10-29

Fees can change. Confirm your final amount with the official registration agency before paying.

Keep exploring

Compare in the Mountain West

← All state guides