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Register your Vehicle or Vessel

Registration of snowmobiles, OHVs, boats, and personal watercraft is different for Montana residents and nonresidents. See details for each type of vehicle or vessel below.

Snowmobile

Snowmobiles operating on public land must be registered and display decals placed in a conspicuous location on the machine.

Residents

Snowmobiles must be registered at the County Treasurers office in the county where the owner resides. This is a one-time registration and valid until the current owner sells the snowmobile.

Nonresidents

Nonresidents who plan to ride their snowmobile in Montana must purchase a Snowmobile Nonresident Temporary Use permit for $25 per machine. That permit application is available on FWP's Online Licensing system.

2008 Montana Nonresident Temporary Use Snowmobile Permit decal
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Ethics Recreation Education Grants Snowmobile
Permits

Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

Off-highway vehicles operating on public land for recreational purposes must be registered and display a decal placed in a conspicuous location on the machine.

Residents

OHVs must be registered at the County Treasurers officers in the county where the owner resides. This is a one-time registration and vaild until the current owner sells the OHV.

Nonresidents

OHVs that are properly registered in another state may operate in Montana for up to 30 consecutive days. Nonresidents with OHVs that are not registered may purchase an Nonresident Temporary Use OHV Permit that is valid for the calendar year.

2008 Montana Nonresident Temporary Use OHV Permit decal
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Ethics Recreation Education Grants OHV Permits

Boats

Sailboats 12 feet long and longer and all motorboats and personal watercraft must be registered and numbered. Non-motorized sailboats less than 12 feet long and manually propelled boats, regardless of length, are exempt from registration and taxation.

2008 Montana Boat Validation sticker

Residents

Registration fees are based on the length and age of the vessel. Boats must be registered at the County Treasurer's office in the county where the owner resides.

Nonresidents

Boats that are properly registered in another state may operate in Montana for up to 90 consecutive days.

How to register a boat

In Montana, boat owners must obtain a certificate of ownership (title) and certificate of number (which lists the boat’s registration, decal, hull and title numbers) and pay all fees to the County Treasurer in the county where the owner resides. The certificate of number must be carried on board the boat and be available for inspection whenever the boat is in operation. The boat owner will receive one permanent registration decal as proof of payment of fees in lieu of tax.

Fees

Certificate of Ownership (title)

$10

Certificate of Number (registration)

$15.50

Fee-In-Lieu of Tax - By vessel type and length

  • Motorboats at least 10 feet in length but less than 16 feet in length
  • Sailboats at least 12 feet in length but less than 16 feet in length
  • Personal watercraft less than 16 feet in length
  • Motorized pontoon less than 16 feet in length

$50

  • Motorboats at least 16 feet in length but less than 19 feet in length
  • Sailboats at least 16 feet in length but less than 19 feet in length
  • Personal watercraft 16 feet in length or longer
  • Motorized pontoon 16 feet in length or longer

$110

  • Motorboats 19 feet in length or longer
  • Sailboats 19 feet in length or longer

$280

Validation Decals

All motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft that are numbered must display two validation decals. Red validation decals expired February 29, 2008. New validation decals are green and are in effect for another 3-year period expiring February 28, 2011. Boat owners should remove each red decal or cover it with the new green decal. Validation decals may be obtained, free of charge, at any Fish, Wildlife and Parks regional or area offices or here.
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