Overview
Riding off-road only, with no plans to hit public roads? There's a cheaper off-highway-only registration at $61.25 plus the $10 highway patrol fee - no safety fee, since it never sees pavement. Buy the vehicle used and the same title rules apply as any transfer: a title fee, the 40-day deadline, and Montana's usual $0 sales tax.
01 - Official fees
Montana motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base registration (street-legal, one-time) | $53.25 | |
| Safety fee | $16.00 | |
| Montana Highway Patrol fee | $10.00 | |
| Plate manufacturing fee | $12.00 | |
| Off-highway-only base fee | $61.25 | no safety fee |
| Title fee (used purchase) | $12.36 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county treasurer's motor vehicle office (MT MVD) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a motorcycle in Montana
- 1
Get Montana liability insurance and, if bought used, the signed-over title.
- 2
Decide street-legal vs. off-highway-only registration - it changes the fee.
- 3
File Form MV1 for the title (used purchase) at your county treasurer's office.
- 4
Pay the one-time base fee, safety fee (if street-legal), Highway Patrol fee, and plate fee.
- 5
You're done - there is no annual renewal to track for a Montana-registered motorcycle.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Montana vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Montana motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Montana?
About $91.25 total, one time, for a street-legal bike: $53.25 base registration, $16 safety fee, $10 Montana Highway Patrol fee, and $12 for the plate. There's no annual fee after that.
Why is motorcycle registration permanent when cars aren't (until 11 years)?
Montana law simply mandates permanent registration for all street-legal motorcycles and quadricycles from day one - it isn't age-gated the way light vehicle registration is. Every Montana-registered bike is permanent.
What if I ride off-road only, never on public roads?
Off-highway-only registration costs $61.25 plus the $10 Highway Patrol fee - cheaper because it skips the $16 street-legal safety fee entirely, and it's still a one-time, permanent fee.
Can I upgrade an off-highway registration to street-legal later?
Yes - you can register for both uses at once (a dual registration paying both fee sets), or add street-legal registration later by paying the difference and getting the safety fee applied.
Do I pay sales tax buying a motorcycle in Montana?
No - the same 0% rate applies to motorcycles as to cars and boats. Your only costs are the one-time registration fees above and the title fee if you bought it used.
Does the county option tax apply to motorcycles?
Motorcycle and quadricycle registration is a flat statutory fee set at the state level - it isn't assessed against county option tax the way light vehicle registration is, so your total doesn't change by county.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.