by Armando Martinez
Hey there, congrats on scoring a new ride! If you bought your car from a private owner in Montana, you might be wondering how to register it. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. You have 60 days to complete the registration of your vehicle. In this guide, we'll go through the steps to register your car and get you on the road in no time.
Step 1: Gather Your Papers
First things first, make sure you have all the documents you need. You'll need the car's title (signed over to you, of course), the prior current vehicle registration certificate, a Bill of Sale if you have one, the Montana Vehicle Inspection Certificate, proof of insurance, and your Montana driver's license or state ID. Got all that? Great, let's move on.
Step 2: Contact your County Treasurer’s Office
Before you can register your car, you'll need to visit the county treasurer's office in the count that you live in. Come counties require appointments, so it is best to check with your county office to be sure. Be sure you bring your Papers with you as both the title and registration of the vehicle will take place at the same time.
Step 3: Fill Out the Application
Next, it's time to fill out the registration application and other documents that may be needed at the county treasurer’s office. The application will ask for information about you and your car, like the make, model, and year. You'll also need to choose what kind of license plates you want. You will also pay all fees and county taxes due at that time.
Step 4: Pay Up
When you submit your application, you'll need to pay the title, registration fees, and county option tax. The amount you owe will depend on your car's value, the county where you live, the age and type of vehicle, the length of registration you want (MT offers multiple year options) and the type of license plates you choose. You can pay with cash, check, or money order. To estimate the fees you will owe you can visit https://dojmt.gov/driving/vehicle-title-and-registration/.
Step 5: Get Your Plates and Stickers
Once you've completed the application and paid the fees, you'll receive your license plates and stickers in the mail. Slap those plates on your car and stick on the stickers to show that your car is registered and good to go.
Conclusion
And that's it! Registering a car bought in a private owner car sale in Montana is a breeze. Just gather your documents, get your car inspected, fill out the application, pay the fees, and wait for your license plates and stickers to arrive. If you have any questions or need help, don't hesitate to reach out to the Montana MVD - they're there to help. Happy driving!
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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