Questions
The things visitors ask us most.
If your question is not answered here, write to us and a person will reply.
Eligibility
Is this permitted?
Yes. Montana allows non-residents to register a vehicle in the state, and that registration is recognized everywhere else in the country. We follow the state's own process rather than working around it.
Do I need a US driver's license?
No. Registering a vehicle and being licensed to drive one are separate things in the United States. You register with your own identification, and you drive on the license issued by your home country.
Do I need a US address?
No. We only need somewhere to ship your documents, and that can be anywhere in the world.
Do I need a social security number?
No.
Does the vehicle have to go to Montana?
No. It never has to enter the state at any point. Neither do you.
I live in the United States. Can I use this?
Yes, though the rules differ. Montana requires a US resident to hold the vehicle through a Montana LLC. We form one for $300, or $399 with ownership kept off the public record.
The process
How long does it take?
Your temporary tag is issued quickly so you can drive almost straight away. The permanent plate and title take longer, because they depend on the state's own processing queue and on how far your documents have to travel.
What documents do I need to send?
The vehicle's current title, or a manufacturer's certificate of origin if it is new. A bill of sale if you have just bought it. Your own identification.
Do I have to sign anything in person?
No. Signing is digital, from wherever you are.
What if I have not bought the vehicle yet?
That is a good time to talk to us. You can price the registration first so you know the full cost, and we can also find and buy the vehicle for you.
What if the vehicle is financed?
We can still register it. The vehicle goes into your name and we obtain the title from the lender who holds it. There is a $300 charge for the extra work.
Can I register more than one vehicle?
Yes. Each one is a separate registration, priced separately.
Insurance, travel and leaving
What insurance do I need, and who will sell it to me?
You need insurance to drive in the United States, and it is bought separately from registration. We are not an insurance agent and we do not sell policies, so we cannot advise on coverage. Several insurers do write policies for visitors holding a foreign license; it is worth asking more than one.
Can I drive into Canada or Mexico?
A Montana registration is recognized in both. Entry requirements, insurance and paperwork at the border are separate matters, so check those before you travel.
What happens when I leave the country?
You have three options. Keep the vehicle registered and leave it here, ship it home, or sell it. We can handle the sale for you, including after you have already gone.
Can I ship the vehicle home?
Yes. Shipping is arranged separately, but your Montana title is the ownership document exporters will ask for, and we can ship it internationally.
Money
What does it cost?
$995 for most vehicles and $1,299.99 for an RV or motorhome. Some vehicles carry extra charges: newer than four model years, financed, or $150,000 MSRP or above. The full price list shows everything.
Are there charges that appear later?
The finder shows your full total before you pay. Shipping outside the United States is $145 for the order. Renewals only apply to vehicles that renew at all: motorcycles, off-road machines and vessels register permanently.
Is the temporary tag really included?
Yes, on every order, at no charge. If your registration is still being processed when it expires, a 90-day extension is $125.
Do I pay sales tax?
Montana does not charge sales tax on vehicle purchases in most situations. Your own country may charge tax when you import a vehicle, and that is outside what we handle.