Last checked Nov 10, 2026
Buying a car in Montana
The tax you will pay, whether your trade-in lowers it, what the dealer may charge for paperwork, and where to title and register. Taken from official Montana sources.
- State tax on vehicles
- None
- Trade-in lowers tax
- Check with the state
- Doc fee limit
- Check with the state
- Deadline to title or register
- 40 days
registration fee and county option tax
details below
Sales tax on a car in Montana
Montana does not charge a state sales tax on vehicle purchases.
A county may impose a local option motor vehicle tax of up to 0.7% of the vehicle's value, or a flat fee, which is paid with registration.
Montana does not have a general sales tax. The annual registration fee for a light vehicle is $217 if it is 4 or fewer years old, $87 if 5 through 10 years old, and $28 if 11 or more years old, plus $825 for a vehicle 10 years old or less with a manufacturer's suggested retail price over $150,000.
Does a trade-in lower the tax?
We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask the state revenue agency or the dealer to show you the rule.
Dealer doc fees in Montana
We could not confirm from an official source whether the state limits the documentation fee. Ask the dealer for the fee in writing and compare it with other dealers.
Whatever the rule, the fee is part of your out-the-door price. Ask for it in the written quote and negotiate the total, not the line. See dealer fees explained.
Title and registration
Titles and registrations are handled by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. A buyer has 40 days from the sale date to apply for the title and register the vehicle at the County Treasurer's office in the county of residence. A late fee is charged after 40 days.
Also worth knowing
- A 40-day temporary registration permit is available from the dealer or from a County Treasurer's office.
- Montana's lemon law covers defective vehicles less than two years old with 18,000 miles or less and does not apply to used vehicles.
- The owner of a light vehicle 11 or more years old may choose to register it permanently.
- The seller must remove the license plates from a used vehicle, and the buyer gets new plates when titling and registering.
Sources
- Montana Department of Revenue: Sales Tax Guidance for Montana Business and Residents (revenue.mt.gov)
- Montana Code Annotated 61-3-321: Registration fees of vehicles (leg.mt.gov)
- Montana Code Annotated 61-3-537: Local option motor vehicle tax (leg.mt.gov)
- Montana Motor Vehicle Division: Tips for Buying a Vehicle in Montana (mvdmt.gov)
- Montana Motor Vehicle Division: Frequently Asked Questions (mvdmt.gov)
Last checked Nov 10, 2026; next review by Feb 10, 2027. This page explains how the rules generally work and is not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the state. Report an error.
Concierge
Rather not do this part yourself?
Tell us the car you want. A person finds it, checks it, negotiates the out-the-door price in writing, and lines up the paperwork. You approve every step.