From Montana Code:

MCA 61-3-213. Certificate of title--custom vehicle, street rod, kit vehicle, or specially constructed vehicle

(1) When a person applies for a certificate of title for a custom vehicle or street rod and a certificate of title is issued or an electronic record of title is created pursuant to this chapter, the certificate of title or electronic record of title must provide:

(a) the model year and year of manufacture of the body of the vehicle that the custom vehicle or street rod resembles as the model year and year of manufacture for the custom vehicle or street rod;

(b) a vehicle description of the custom vehicle or street rod if the vehicle is a custom vehicle built to resemble a vehicle manufactured after 1948 and at least 25 years before the current calendar year or a street rod built to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949; and

(c) if there is no manufacturer's certificate of origin for the custom vehicle or street rod, the vehicle identification number from the chassis or frame of the custom vehicle or street rod or a state-assigned vehicle identification number.

(2) When a person applies for a certificate of title for a kit vehicle, excluding a kit vehicle that qualifies as a custom vehicle or street rod, and a certificate of title is issued or an electronic record of title is created pursuant to this chapter, the certificate of title or electronic record of title must list:

(a) the model year and year of manufacture as contained on the manufacturer's certificate of origin for the kit vehicle or, if a manufacturer's certificate of origin does not exist, the calendar year in which application for title was made;

(b) a vehicle description of the kit vehicle; and

(c) in the absence of a manufacturer's certificate of origin for the kit vehicle, the vehicle identification number from the chassis or frame of the donor vehicle or a state-assigned vehicle identification number.

(3) When a person applies for a certificate of title for a specially constructed vehicle and a certificate of title is issued or an electronic record of title is created pursuant to this chapter, the certificate of title or electronic record of title must list:

(a) the model year and year of manufacture as the calendar year in which application for title was made;

(b) a vehicle description, as determined by the department, of the assembled or custom-built vehicle; and

(c) the vehicle identification number, if any, from the chassis or frame of the vehicle or a stateassigned vehicle identification number.

(4) Prior to assignment of a state-assigned vehicle identification number or to confirm a vehicle identification number from the chassis or frame of a custom vehicle, street rod, or specially constructed vehicle, the department may require a vehicle inspection.

MCA 61-3-301. Registration--license plate required--display

(1)(a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer upon the public highways of Montana unless the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer is properly registered and has the proper license plates conspicuously displayed on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer. A license plate must be securely fastened to prevent it from swinging and may not be obstructed from plain view.

(b)(i) Except as provided in 61-4-120, 61-4-129, and subsections (1)(b)(ii) through (1)(b)(iv) of this section, all motor vehicles must have one license plate displayed on the front and one license plate displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle.

(ii) A motorcycle, quadricycle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer must have a single license plate displayed on the rear of the vehicle.

(iii) A custom vehicle or street rod registered under 61-3-320(1)(b) or (1)(c)(iii) may display a single license plate firmly attached to the rear exterior of the custom vehicle or street rod.

(iv) If a person is not able to comply with the requirement that a front license plate be displayed because of the body construction of the motor vehicle, the person may submit to the highway patrol an application for a waiver along with a $25 inspection fee. A certificate of waiver may be issued upon inspection of the vehicle by a highway patrol officer. If a certificate of waiver is issued, the certificate must at all times be carried in the motor vehicle and must be displayed upon demand of a peace officer. Money collected from the inspection fee must be deposited in a highway revenue account in the state special revenue fund to the credit of the department of transportation.

(c) A person may not display on a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer at the same time a number assigned to it under any motor vehicle law except as provided in this chapter.

(d) A low-speed electric vehicle or a golf cart operated by a person with a low-speed restricted driver's license must have special license plates, as provided in 61-3-332(9), displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle.

(2) A person may not purchase or display on a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer a license plate bearing the number assigned to any county, as provided in 61-3- 332, other than the county where the vehicle is domiciled or the county where the trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer is domiciled at the time of application for registration.

(3) It is unlawful to:

(a) display license plates issued to one motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer on any other motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or travel trailer unless legally transferred as provided by statute; or

(b) repaint old license plates to resemble current license plates.

(4) For the purposes of this section, "conspicuously displayed" means that the required license plates are obviously visible and firmly attached to:

(a) the front bumper and the rear bumper of a motor vehicle that is subject to subsection

(1)(b)(i) and is equipped with front and rear bumpers; or

(b) a clearly visible location on the rear of a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, travel trailer, or motor vehicle that is subject to subsections (1)(b)(ii) through (1)(b)(iv).

61–3–320. Registration—custom vehicle, street rod, originally equipped older vehicle, kit vehicle, or specially constructed vehicle.

(1)(a) A custom vehicle or street rod:

(i) that is more than 30 years old may be registered under 61–3–411 as a collector's item; or

(ii) may be registered, depending on the vehicle type, as a motor home, a bus, a truck having a manufacturer's rated capacity of more than 1 ton, a truck tractor, or a light vehicle upon payment of the registration fee required in 61–3–321, the applicable fee or fee in lieu of tax provided for in 61–3–529 or 61–3–562, and, if applicable, any local option tax or fee under 61– 3–537 or 61–3–570.

(b) The owner of a custom vehicle or street rod that is originally registered under subsection

(1)(a) or that was registered prior to January 1, 2006, may be authorized to operate the custom vehicle or street rod while displaying only one license plate on the rear exterior of the vehicle if the owner certifies that the custom vehicle or street rod is not used for general transportation purposes and pays an additional $10 fee, to be deposited in the state general fund.

(c)(i) Upon original registration of a custom vehicle or street rod under subsection (1)(a)(i), a custom vehicle or street rod must be assigned a set of pioneer or vintage license plates, as described in 61–3–411(2), or a set of original Montana license plates or collector reproduction license plates, as allowed under 61–3–412.

(ii) Upon original registration of a custom vehicle or street rod under subsection (1)(a)(ii) and unless the owner has applied for personalized license plates, special license plates for military personnel, veterans, or spouses, collegiate plates, or generic specialty license plates or has met the requirements of subsection (1)(b), a set of standard license plates must be assigned to the vehicle under 61–3–331.

(iii) Upon original registration of a custom vehicle or street rod under subsection (1)(a)(ii) and if the owner of a custom vehicle or street rod has met the requirements of subsection (1)(b), a single license plate, including a personalized standard license plate, special license plate for military personnel, veterans, or spouses, collegiate plate, or generic specialty license plate, if otherwise available to the vehicle owner or vehicle type, may be issued for the custom vehicle or street rod.

(d) The owner of an originally equipped motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, that is more than 30 years old and that is not registered as a collector's item under 61–3–411 may be authorized to operate the motor vehicle while displaying only one license plate on the rear exterior of the vehicle, as if it were a custom vehicle or street rod, if the owner:

(i) certifies that the originally equipped motor vehicle is not used for general transportation purposes;

(ii) pays any fees required under 61–3–321, 61–3–529, or 61–3–562 and, if applicable, a local option tax or fee under 61–3–537 or 61–3–570, plus an additional $10 fee, to be deposited in the state general fund; and

(iii) is otherwise eligible, based on the owner's status and the vehicle type, for one of the single license plate options available to an owner of a custom vehicle or street rod under this subsection (1).

(2)(a) The owner of a kit vehicle shall pay the registration fees provided for in 61–3–321 and, if applicable, any local option tax or fee under 61–3–537 or 61–3–570.

(b) Upon original registration of a kit vehicle and unless the owner has applied for special license plates, collegiate plates, or generic specialty license plates, standard license plates must be assigned and issued to the kit vehicle under 61–3–331.

(3)(a) Depending on whether the specially constructed vehicle is a motor home, bus, truck having a manufacturer's rated capacity of more than 1 ton, truck tractor, or light vehicle, the owner of a specially constructed vehicle shall pay the registration fees provided for in 61–3– 321, any registration fee or fee in lieu of tax provided for in 61–3–529, and, if applicable, any local option tax or fee under 61–3–537 or 61–3–570.

(b) Upon original registration of a specially constructed vehicle and unless the owner has applied for special license plates, collegiate plates, or generic specialty license plates, standard license plates must be assigned and issued to the specially constructed vehicle under 61–3–331.

MCA 61–3–411. Registration of motor vehicle owned and operated solely as collector's item.

(1) An owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is more than 30 years old and that is used solely as a collector's item and is not used for general transportation purposes may file with the department an application for the registration of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer. The application must be sworn to before an officer authorized to administer oaths. The application must state:

(a) the name and address of the owner;

(b) the name and address of the person from whom the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer was purchased;

(c) the make, the gross weight, the year and number of the model, and the manufacturer's identification number and serial number of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer; and

(d) that the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is owned and operated solely as a collector's item and not for general transportation purposes.

(2) Upon receipt of the application for registration and payment of the registration fees, including fees in lieu of tax, the department shall file the application and register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer in the manner specified in 61–3–303 and, unless the applicant chooses to exercise an option allowed in 61–3–412, shall deliver to the applicant:

(a) for a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer manufactured in 1933 or earlier, two license plates bearing the inscription "Pioneer—Montana" and the registration number; or

(b) for a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer manufactured in 1934 or later and more than 30 years old, two license plates bearing the inscription "Vintage—Montana" and the registration number.

(3) The year of issuance may not be shown on the plates.

(4) Annual renewal of the registration of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registered under this section is not required, and the registration is valid as long as the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is in existence and owned by the initial registrant."

MCA 61–3–412. Display of original Montana license plates or collector reproduction license plates on collector's item and general transportation collector's item motor vehicles— definitions—validation.

(1) As used in 61–3–413 and this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Collector reproduction license plate" means a license that is a reproduction of the original license plate issued according to the provisions of 61–3–331; section 53–116, R.C.M. 1947; section 1759.1, R.C.M. 1935; or section 1759, R.C.M. 1921; whichever section was effective during the year of the manufacture of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer on which the license plate is authorized to be displayed. To qualify as a collector reproduction license plate, the reproduction plate must be made of metal, must be the same size and color as the original license plate, and must have the same design, including any embossed or raised letters or numbers, as the original license plate.

(b) "Original Montana license plate" means a license plate issued according to the provisions of 61–3–331; section 53–116, R.C.M. 1947; section 1759.1, R.C.M. 1935; or section 1759, R.C.M. 1921; whichever section was effective during the year of the manufacture of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer on which the license plate is authorized to be displayed.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of 61–3–332, the department shall authorize the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registered as provided in 61–3–411 or 61–3– 413 to display original Montana license plates or collector reproduction license plates, with validation as required in 61–3–413 or subsection (4) of this section, after:

(a) payment of the fee required in subsection (6);

(b) inspection by a highway patrol officer of the original Montana license plate or collector reproduction license plate to be displayed on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer and, upon payment of a $5 fee, receipt of the highway patrol officer's certification that the officer has determined that:

(i) the license plate is legible and meets the requirements of subsection (1); and

(ii) in the case of a license plate intended for use on a general transportation collector's item, the license plate is visible at night;

(c) receipt of an application by the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as provided for in 61–3–411 or 61–3–413; and

(d) in the case of a general transportation collector's item application, certification from the department that a duplicate license plate number does not exist among currently issued license plates.

(3) The owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer manufactured in the year 1948, 1949, or 1950 may display a single original Montana license plate that is affixed to the rear of the vehicle. The original Montana license plate must be legible and must bear the year that matches the year in which the vehicle was manufactured.

(4) If the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer meets the requirements of subsection (2), the department shall:

(a) register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as prescribed in 61–3–303; and

(b) issue a validating decal inscribed with:

(i) a unique number; and

(ii) the letter:

(A) "P" to designate motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers described in 61–3– 411(2)(a); or

(B) "V" to designate motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers described in 61–3– 411(2)(b).

(5) The owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall permanently affix the validating decal to the windshield of the collector's item motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer or, if a windshield does not exist, to another prominent and visible position on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer.

(6) The owner of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall pay to the department with the application required under this section a one-time special collector's item motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer license fee of $20.

MCA 61–3–413. Registration of motor vehicle as general transportation collector's item— definition—permanent registration required.

(1) For the purposes of 61–3–412 and this section, a "general transportation collector's item" is a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer that is 25 years old or older and that is used for general transportation purposes.

(2) An owner of a general transportation collector's item who wishes to display original Montana license plates or collector reproduction license plates on the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer shall file with the department an application for the registration of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer. The application must state:

(a) the name and address of the owner;

(b) the year and number of the license plate the applicant wishes to use; and

(c) the make, the gross weight, the year and number of the model, and the manufacturer's identification number and serial number of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer.

(3) Upon receipt of an application for registration of a general transportation collector's item that will display an original Montana license plate, the department shall compare the number of the license plate that the applicant intends to use with the license plate numbers assigned to currently registered motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers. The department may reject an application if the number the applicant intends to use matches a number that is assigned to a currently registered motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer. If the department approves the application, the department shall file the application and register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer in the manner specified in 61–3–101.

(4) Upon receipt of an application for registration of a general transportation collector's item that will display a collector reproduction license plate, the department shall determine a distinctive license plate number to be assigned to the collector reproduction license plate. The department may:

(a) issue a new license plate number following the requirements for issuing distinctive license plate numbers under 61–3–331;

(b) issue a new personalized license plate number under 61–3–401 through 61–3–406; or

(c) at the request of the owner, transfer a license plate number that is already assigned to the general transportation collector's item or another motor vehicle owned by the owner of the general transportation collector's item.

(5) The general transportation collector's item owner may take the license plate number issued pursuant to subsection (4) and purchase a collector reproduction license plate from any source.

(6) The one-time application fee for a collector reproduction license plate under subsection (4) is $50. The fee must be deposited as follows:

(a) $25 must be deposited into the state special revenue account to partially fund highway patrol officers' salaries established in 44–1–504; and

(b) $25 must be deposited into the motor vehicle division administration account established in 61–3–112.

(4)(7) Once an application is approved, appropriate fees are paid, and the requirements provided in 61–3–412(2) are met, an owner of a general transportation collector's item shall permanently register the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer as provided in 61–3– 562 and shall display on the motor vehicle's, trailer's, semitrailer's, or pole trailer's license plate a decal indicating that the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer has been permanently registered.

MCA61–3–321. Registration fees of vehicles and vessels—certain vehicles exempt from registration fees—disposition of fees.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, registration fees must be paid upon registration or, if applicable, renewal of registration of motor vehicles, snowmobiles, watercraft, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers as provided in subsections (2) through (20).

(2)(a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), unless a light vehicle is permanently registered under 61–3–562, the annual registration fee for light vehicles, trucks, and buses that weigh 1 ton or less and for logging trucks that weigh 1 ton or less is as follows:

(i) if the vehicle is 4 or less years old, $217;

(ii) if the vehicle is 5 through 10 years old, $87; and

(iii) if the vehicle is 11 or more years old, $28.

(b) For a light vehicle with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of more than $150,000 that is 10 years old or less, the annual registration fee is the amount provided for in subsection (2)(a) plus $825.

(3)(a) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee based on the declared weight of a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is as follows:

(i) if the declared weight is less than 6,000 pounds, $61.25; or

(ii) if the declared weight is 6,000 pounds or more, $148.25.

(b) If a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer is registered under 61–3–701, the fees required in subsection (3)(a) must be paid annually.

(4) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee for motor vehicles owned and operated solely as collector's items pursuant to 61–3–411, based on the weight of the vehicle, is as follows:

(a) 2,850 pounds and over, $10; and

(b) under 2,850 pounds, $5.

(5) Except as provided in subsection (15), the one-time registration fee for off-highway vehicles other than a quadricycle or motorcycle is $61.25.

…

(13)(a) Except as provided in subsection (13)(b), a fee of $10 must be collected when a new set of standard license plates, a new single standard license plate, or a replacement set of special license plates required under 61–3–332 is issued. The $10 fee imposed under this subsection does not apply when previously issued license plates are transferred under 61–3–335. All registration fees imposed under this section must be paid if the vehicle to which the plates are transferred is not currently registered.

(b) An additional fee of $15 must be collected if a vehicle owner elects to keep the same license plate number from license plates issued before January 1, 2010, when replacement of those plates is required under 61–3–332(3).

(c) The fees imposed in this subsection (13) must be deposited in the account established under 61–6–158, except that $2 of the fee imposed in subsection (13)(a) must be deposited in the state general fund.

(14) The provisions of this part with respect to the payment of registration fees do not apply to and are not binding upon motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, snowmobiles, watercraft, or tractors owned or controlled by the United States of America or any state, county, city, or special district, as defined in 18–8–202, or to a vehicle or vessel that meets the description of property exempt from taxation under 15–6–201(1)(a), (1)(d), (1)(e), (1)(g), (1)(h), (1)(i), (1)(k),

(1)(l), (1)(n), or (1)(o), 15–6–203, or 15–6–215, except as provided in 61–3–520.

(15) Whenever ownership of a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, off-highway vehicle, motorcycle, quadricycle, travel trailer, motor home, motorboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, motorized pontoon, snowmobile, motor vehicle owned and operated solely as a collector's item pursuant to 61–3–411, or low-speed electric vehicle is transferred, the new owner shall title and register the vehicle or vessel as required by this chapter and pay the fees imposed under this section.

(16) A person eligible for a waiver under 61–3–460 is exempt from the fees required under this section.

…

MCA 61-3-503. Assessment--definition

(1)(a) Except as provided in 61-3-520, light vehicles subject to a local option motor vehicle tax under 61-3-537 must be assessed the tax as of the first day of the registration period, using the depreciated value of the manufacturer's suggested retail price as determined in subsection (2).

(b) If the depreciated value is less than $500, the department shall value the motor vehicle at $500.

(2)(a) Except as provided in subsections (2)(c) and (2)(d), the depreciated value for the taxation of light vehicles is computed by multiplying the manufacturer's suggested retail price by a percentage multiplier based on the type and age of the light vehicle determined from the following table:

Age of Vehicle Type of Vehicle
(in years) Automobile Truck Van Sport Utility
-1100%100%100%100%
090969398
180918694
269867890
358806984
449736076
541665267
633574557
726493848
821433239
917372733
1014312229
1112261825
1210221522
1309181321
1409151119
1509130917
1609120915

(b) The age for the light vehicle is determined under 61-3-501.

(c) If the value of the light vehicle determined under subsection (2)(a) is $500 or less, the value of the light vehicle is $500 and the value must remain at that amount as long as the light vehicle is registered.

(d) The depreciated value of a light vehicle that is 17 years old or older is computed by depreciating the value obtained for the vehicle at 16 years old, as determined under subsection

(2)(a), by 10% a year until a minimum value of $500 is attained. The value must remain at that amount as long as the light vehicle is registered.

(3)(a) For the purposes of this section, "manufacturer's suggested retail price" means the price suggested by the manufacturer for each given type, style, or model of light vehicle produced and first made available for retail sale by the manufacturer.

(b) The manufacturer's suggested retail price is based on standard equipment of a light vehicle and does not contain price additions or deductions for optional accessories.

(c) When a manufacturer's suggested retail price is unavailable for a motor vehicle, the department shall determine an alternative valuation for the motor vehicle.

MCA 61-3-562. Permanent registration --transfer of light vehicle ownership--rules

(1)(a) The owner of a light vehicle 11 years old or older subject to the registration fee, as provided in 61-3-321(2), may permanently register the light vehicle upon payment of a $87.50 registration fee, the applicable registration and license fees under 61-3-412, if applicable, the administrative fee and the annual one-time-only donation fee for a generic specialty license plate under 61-3-480 or collegiate license plates under 61-3-465, and an amount equal to five times the local option motor vehicle tax or flat fee on vehicles under 61-3-537 and, as applicable, either:

(i)(A) the original fee and four times the renewal fee for personalized plates; or

(B) five times the renewal fees for personalized plates; or

(ii) if a new set of license plates is not being issued, an insurance verification fee of $5, which must be deposited in the account established under 61-6-158.

(b) The following series of license plates may not be used for purposes of permanent registration of a light vehicle:

(i) Montana national guard license plates issued under 61-3-458(2)(b);

(ii) reserve armed forces license plates issued under 61-3-458(2)(c); and

(iii) amateur radio operator license plates issued under 61-3-422.

(2) In addition to the fees described in subsection (1), an owner of a truck with a manufacturer's rated capacity of 1 ton or less that is permanently registered shall pay five times the applicable fees imposed under 61-10-201.

(3) The owner of a motor vehicle that is permanently registered under this section is not subject to additional registration fees or to other motor vehicle registration fees described in this section for as long as the owner owns the vehicle.

(4) The county treasurer shall once each month remit to the state the amounts collected under this section, other than the local option motor vehicle tax or flat fee, for the purposes of 61-3- 321(2) and 61-10-201. The county treasurer shall retain the local option motor vehicle tax or flat fee.

(5)(a) The permanent registration of a light vehicle allowed by this section may not be transferred to a new owner. If the light vehicle is transferred to a new owner, the department shall cancel the light vehicle's permanent registration.

(b) Upon transfer of a light vehicle registered under this section to a new owner, the new owner shall apply for a certificate of title under 61-3-201 and 61-3-216 and register the light vehicle under 61-3-303.

Resource Type
Law
State
Montana
Tags
State Law