Montana Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Montana costs $12 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $258.53 in total, with no state sales tax and the rest for title and registration.
Montana title fees
These are the title-related fees in Montana's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title light vehicle | $12 |
|---|---|
| Title other | $10 |
| Plates | $12 |
- Through 2028-06-30
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Montana
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Montana car tax calculator:
| Title | $12 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale (none) | $0 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $217 |
| Highway patrol fee (if you register it now) | $10 |
| Plates (if you register it now) | $12 |
| MVD admin fee (3%) (if you register it now) | $7.53 |
| Estimated total | $258.53 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Montana charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plates $12.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift / inheritance / military | No state sales tax; title and registration still due |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Gift / inheritance / military | No state sales tax; title and registration still due |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Montana
| Renewal | No title or new plates |
|---|---|
| Permanent registration | Only for light vehicles 11+ years old |
How Montana works out what you owe
- County option tax = max($500, MSRP x depreciation factor) x county rate
- Fees = registration + luxury fee + county option + highway patrol + parks + title + plates + GVW fee
- Admin fee = fees x 3%
- Total = fees + admin fee + lien + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Montana: leg.mt.gov, mca.legmt.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Montana?
The title fee is $12. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, fees and registration come to about $258.53.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Montana?
Montana charges no state sales tax on this private sale, though title and registration fees still apply.
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Montana?
Yes. Plates: $12.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Montana?
Gift / inheritance / military: No state sales tax; title and registration still due.
What happens to a car title after a death in Montana?
Gift / inheritance / military: No state sales tax; title and registration still due.