✓ Sourced from Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Justice (registration/title); Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for public-land use decal/trail passRegistration required
ATV / UTV registration in Montana: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Justice (registration/title); Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for public-land use decal/trail pass.
Who to contact
Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Justice (registration/title); Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for public-land use decal/trail pass
Title and register the ATV/off-highway vehicle through the County Treasurer's office (MVD).
Step 2
Pay the one-time permanent off-highway registration fees; receive the white 'PERM' off-highway decal.
Step 3
For riding on public land, additionally obtain the required FWP OHV decal / trail pass (resident) or nonresident temporary-use permit through the FWP Online Licensing Service.
What to bring
Required documents.
✓Certificate of Title or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), properly assigned
✓Application for Certificate of Title (Form MV1)
✓Proof of ownership as required by the County Treasurer
Fees & renewal
Fees
Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Justice (registration/title); Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for public-land use decal/trail pass.
Renewal
Renews permanent (MVD off-highway registration).
Good to know
Montana's main MVD registration page explicitly lists 'all-terrain vehicles' among vehicles that must be registered with the state. ATVs/OHVs receive the white permanent 'PERM' off-highway decal (see the motorcycle-and-quadricycle page). Separately, FWP administers an OHV public-land program: residents need an OHV registration decal plus a trail pass and nonresidents need a temporary-use permit to ride public land — this FWP requirement is in addition to MVD titling/registration. Exact MVD and FWP fee amounts were not captured (volatile). UTVs/side-by-sides are treated as off-highway vehicles under the same framework.
ATV and UTV registration is the most inconsistent category on this site: some states make it mandatory, some make it voluntary, and some route it through wildlife or natural-resources agencies rather than the DMV. Pick your state below for the real rule.
01
Mandatory vs voluntary registration
Some states require every ATV/UTV to be registered before it is operated anywhere, including private land. Others only require registration for use on public or state-managed trails, and a few make registration optional. The state guide below states which applies, sourced from the agency’s own page.
02
The agency is often not the DMV
Because off-road vehicles are frequently regulated for trail and land use, many states register ATVs/UTVs through a department of natural resources, wildlife agency, or state parks division rather than the motor vehicle department. Check the agency named in your state guide.
03
A trail permit is sometimes separate from registration
Some states require a separate trail-use permit or sticker on top of registration to ride designated public trails. The state guide below notes this where the agency documents it.
Common questions
The practical details.
Do I have to register a ATV or UTV in Montana?+
Yes — Montana requires registration for this vehicle type. Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Justice (registration/title); Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) for public-land use decal/trail pass handles it; see the steps above.
How often do I need to renew?+
Montana lists a permanent (MVD off-highway registration) renewal cadence for this vehicle type.
Do I have to register an ATV I only ride on my own private land?+
It depends on the state. Some states require registration for any ATV regardless of where it is ridden; others only require it for public or state-trail use, and a few leave it entirely voluntary. Check the state guide below for the sourced rule.
Which agency registers an ATV or UTV?+
It varies — some states use the DMV, others use a department of natural resources, wildlife agency, or parks division. The exact agency and its link are on your state’s guide page.