RV / Motorhome registration
RV / Motorhome registration in Montana: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Justice.
Who to contact
Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Justice
Visit the official Montana pageStep by step
Title and register the motor home through the County Treasurer's office.
Pay the fee in lieu of taxes, which is based on the age of the motor home (model year subtracted from current year).
Renew annually by the end of the month following the expiration month shown on the rear plate decal, OR choose permanent registration if the motor home is 11+ years old.
What to bring
Fees & renewal
Fees
Fee in lieu of taxes based on age of the motor home. Additional flat fees: $10.30 Montana Highway Patrol Salary and Retention Fee; $12.36 new issue plate fee; $5.15 insurance verification fee if existing plates are kept when permanently registered. All include a 3% administrative fee.
Renewal
Renews annual (permanent registration optional for motor homes 11 years old or older).
Good to know
Self-propelled motor homes are registered annually under Sec. 61-3-321(7), MCA; owners may permanently register a motor home that is 11+ years old, but that permanent registration does not transfer at change of ownership. Registration expires 12 months from the month first registered.
More for Montana
General guidance
A motorized RV registers like any other motor vehicle in almost every state, but towable RVs (travel trailers, fifth wheels) sometimes fall under trailer rules instead. Pick your state below for the exact process and agency.
Because it has its own engine and VIN, a motorhome generally goes through the same title-and-register process as any passenger vehicle at your state’s motor vehicle agency, just at a higher fee tier reflecting its weight and value.
Because of their size and age range, some states require an additional safety, weight, or emissions inspection for motorhomes that a passenger car would not need. Check the state guide below for whether that applies.
A travel trailer or fifth wheel with no engine of its own is registered as a trailer in most states — sometimes under the same rules as any other trailer, sometimes under a dedicated RV weight class. The state guide below notes which applies.
Common questions
Yes — Montana requires registration for this vehicle type. Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Justice handles it; see the steps above.
Montana lists a annual (permanent registration optional for motor homes 11 years old or older) renewal cadence for this vehicle type.
A motorized RV generally follows the same title-and-registration process as a car or truck, just at a higher fee tier for its weight and value. A towable RV with no engine often registers as a trailer instead. Check the state guide below for the specifics.
Some states require a safety, weight, or emissions inspection for a motorhome that a passenger car would not need. Whether that applies to your state is noted on the state guide below.