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.
Snowmobiles operating on public land must be registered and display decals placed in a conspicuous location on the machine.
Snowmobiles must be registered at the County Treasurer's office in the county where the owner resides. This is a one-time registration and valid until the current owner sells the snowmobile.
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 or you may download the paper application. You may also apply at one of the many vendors in Montana, Idaho, Washington, or Wyoming.
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.
OHVs must be registered at the County Treasurer's office in the county where the owner resides. This is a one-time registration and vaild until the current owner sells the OHV.
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 a Nonresident Temporary Use OHV Permit that is valid for the calendar year.
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.
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.
Boats that are properly registered in another state may operate in Montana for up to 90 consecutive days.
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.
Certificate of Ownership (title)
$10
Certificate of Number (registration)
$15.50
Fee-In-Lieu of Tax - By vessel type and length
$50
$110
$280
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 & Parks regional or area offices or here.
