Montana Car Registration Fee Calculator

Why Montana’s Car Registration Fees Are Unique

Montana is one of the few states with no state sales tax, which is a big reason many out-of-state buyers choose to register vehicles there. But while you won’t pay sales tax, you do have to cover registration fees, title fees, and optional county fees.

Unlike some states that use only weight or age, Montana bases its registration on:

• Vehicle MSRP (original manufacturer’s suggested retail price)
• Vehicle age bracket (0–4 years, 5–10 years, or 11+ years)
• Vehicle type (gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric)
• Additional surcharges for EVs and luxury vehicles

How the Montana Registration Fee Calculator Works

The calculator helps you estimate your annual and one-time fees by asking for a few key details.

1. Vehicle MSRP (Sticker Price)

This is the main driver of your annual registration fee. A car with a higher MSRP generally costs more to register.

• 0–4 years old: $217 base fee + small percentage if MSRP exceeds $45,000.
• 5–10 years old: $130 base fee + smaller percentage for MSRP over $45,000.
• 11+ years old: $28 flat fee.

2. Luxury Vehicle Fee

If your car’s MSRP is over $150,000, you’ll also pay an $825 annual luxury fee.

3. Electric Vehicle Surcharge

Montana applies an extra annual fee for EVs based on weight:

• Under 2,000 lbs → $70
• 2,000–5,999 lbs → $130
• 6,000 lbs or more → $250

This is meant to offset the lost fuel tax revenue from gas-powered vehicles.

4. One-Time Fees for New Purchases

If you’re buying a new or used car, you may also see:

• Title Fee: $12
• County Option Tax: Around $10
• Lien Fee: $8 (only if financed)

These are paid once at purchase, not every year.

Example: Using the Calculator

Let’s say you’re registering a 2022 SUV with an MSRP of $50,000:

• Base Registration Fee (0–4 years): $217
• Extra MSRP Cost: ($5,000 over $45,000 × 0.3%) = $15
• Total Registration Fee: $232

If it’s an electric SUV weighing 5,500 lbs, you’d add a $130 EV surcharge.

And if this is a fresh purchase, you might also check the boxes for title, lien, and county fees.

Your total estimate would show all of these costs clearly broken down.

Benefits of Using the Montana DMV Fee Calculator

• Quick estimates: No guessing about surprise fees at the counter.
• Transparency: See how MSRP, age, and type impact your costs.
• EV-friendly clarity: Understand extra costs before choosing an electric vehicle.
• Planning tool: Great for budgeting if you’re considering registering in Montana.