Other Montana Vehicle Registrations

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

Beyond standard passenger cars, Montana titles and registers a wide range of specialty vehicles — motorcycles, trailers, snowmobiles, ATVs, RVs, antique cars, and commercial trucks. Each has its own form, its own fee schedule, and in some cases its own insurance and operator requirements. Many specialty vehicles also qualify for Montana's unique permanent registration after they reach the age threshold.

Motorcycles

Motorcycle registration in Montana uses the same Form MV5 title application as a passenger car. Standard motorcycle registration fees scale with vehicle age — newer motorcycles pay roughly $44 per year, older motorcycles less. Motorcycles 11 years or older qualify for permanent registration at about $25.75. Riders must hold a Class M endorsement on their Montana driver's license, which requires a separate motorcycle knowledge test and skills test. Specialty plates (custom design) add $30. Helmets are required for riders under 18; adult riders are not required to wear helmets but most do.

Trailers

Montana titles trailers with gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 2,500 pounds. Lighter trailers (under 2,500 pounds) need only registration and plates, not a title. Trailer registration fees are weight-based:

Under 6,000 pounds: $32 per year, or about $40-$60 one-time permanent.
6,001-10,000 pounds: $48 per year, or proportional permanent.
Over 10,000 pounds: weight-based commercial schedule.

Boat trailers, snowmobile trailers, and utility trailers all fall under the same fee schedule. Trailers over the age threshold qualify for permanent registration just like passenger vehicles.

Snowmobiles

Montana registers snowmobiles operated on public lands or trails. The fee is approximately $15 per year or a one-time permanent registration fee of about $30 for snowmobiles 5 years or older. The registration sticker must be displayed on the cowling. Snowmobile operators 12 and older may operate on public trails; younger operators need adult supervision. Helmets are not legally required statewide but are required in Glacier and Yellowstone area trail systems and in some county parks. A snowmobile knowledge handbook is available free on the Montana FWP website.

ATVs and off-highway vehicles (OHVs)

ATVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and other off-highway vehicles register through the Montana FWP system rather than the MVD. The annual fee is approximately $13, with a $30 permanent registration option for ATVs 5+ years old. ATVs are not generally street-legal in Montana — operating on public roads requires a road-legal package (lights, horn, mirrors, signal, DOT-approved tires) plus a separate title and registration as a passenger vehicle. Some rural counties have specific carve-outs allowing ATV use on local streets.

Recreational vehicles (RVs) and motor homes

Motor homes are titled and registered as passenger vehicles using Form MV5. Class A, B, and C motor homes pay registration fees based on age, with permanent registration available at 11 years for about $282.50 — substantial for an RV but cheaper than annual fees over the long term. RV trailers (5th-wheels and travel trailers) follow the trailer schedule above. RVs over 26,000 pounds may require a Class B or Class A non-commercial license endorsement; check our Montana driver's license guide for the threshold.

Antique and collector vehicles

Vehicles 30 years or older qualify for Montana's antique vehicle registration. The plate is a permanent registration — paid once, valid as long as the owner holds the vehicle — for a one-time fee of about $25. Antique-registered vehicles can be driven for parades, exhibitions, club events, occasional pleasure use, and to and from maintenance — but not for daily transportation. Custom collector plates (year-of-manufacture plates, military service plates) cost $30 plus a one-time issuance fee. Year-of-manufacture plates allow vintage cars to display original-era plates as long as the plates haven't been issued to another vehicle.

Mopeds and motorized scooters

Mopeds with engines under 50cc and a top speed under 30 mph require registration but no separate motorcycle endorsement — a regular Class D Montana driver's license is sufficient. The annual registration fee is $5. Scooters above 50cc are treated as motorcycles and require a Class M endorsement plus the standard motorcycle registration.

Commercial vehicles and trucks

Commercial vehicles register under a weight-based schedule that increases with GVW. Trucks 6,001-10,000 pounds: $100-$150 per year; 10,001-26,000 pounds: $150-$300; over 26,000 pounds: International Registration Plan (IRP) apportionment for interstate operators. Commercial vehicles also need a Montana CDL for operators driving the vehicle. Commercial liability minimums are higher than standard passenger minimums — see our Montana car insurance guide.

Boats and personal watercraft

Boats are registered through Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), not the MVD. Personal watercraft (jet skis) are also FWP-registered. Fees vary by length and type. The MVD registers boat trailers but not the boats themselves.

Specialty plates

Montana offers approximately 200 specialty plate designs — military service, university, nonprofit, sports teams, wildlife conservation, and personalized vanity plates. Most specialty plates carry a $20-$60 issuance fee on top of the standard registration, with portions of the fee donating to the sponsoring organization. Vanity (personalized) plates require submission to the MVD's plate review committee, which screens for offensive content. Approved vanity plates issue in 4-6 weeks.

Permanent registration eligibility summary

Most Montana vehicle classes can convert to permanent registration once they reach the age threshold:

Passenger cars and light trucks: 11+ years.
Motorcycles: 11+ years.
Trailers: 11+ years.
RVs and motor homes: 11+ years.
Snowmobiles: 5+ years.
ATVs: 5+ years.
Antique vehicles (30+ years): always permanent.