Montana requires all trailers, semitrailers, travel trailers, and pole trailers to be titled and registered if used on public highways. Trailers must always display at least one license plate on the rear of the vehicle.
Mobile homes and house trailers are not titled according to Montana law. Ownership is transferred by use of a bill of sale. A bill of sale is required when transferring a mobile home or a house trailer.
Registering a Trailer in Montana
Motor vehicles, including trailers, are registered at the Montana county treasurer’s office in the county where you reside. You can find the nearest county office here. Some counties require an appointment before titling and registering a vehicle, so you should contact the office first.
New residents must title and register all vehicles, including trailers, within 60 days of establishing residency. Newly purchased vehicles must be registered right away. There is no grace period for registering new vehicles.
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in Montana?
Trailers must be titled before they can be registered. You may get both documents at the same time. You will need:
- Title or Previous Montana registration form or proof of ownership
- Proof of ownership: bill of sale, purchase invoice
- Payment for taxes and fees
If the title is from Montana, both owner, and buyer must sign the transfer and have it notarized.
Montana may require other documents, depending on the title search. You may need the following:
- Statement of Fact to explain details of the title transfer or sale
- VIN Inspection Certificate to be completed by law enforcement, if the title is unavailable or cannot be located
- Application for Bonded Title if there is no record of title and the owner is unavailable
Any corrections, erasures, or deletions on the title will void the document. If you are unsure how to enter something, ask for assistance at the county treasurer’s office.
Trailer Registration Fees
Trailers and travel trailers are permanently registered with the state of Montana. The registration fee for trailers is based on declared weight; travel trailers are based on length. Once the registration fee is paid, it will not need to be paid again in any other county unless the trailer is sold.
Mobile homes and house trailers are not assessed any fee until they are moved. When they are moved on the public highway, they must pay and declare their property taxes.
Title for Trailer
Montana requires all trailers to be titled, registered, and licensed to travel on public highways. Titles are granted to all vehicles meeting the definition of a trailer under the law.
Insurance
Montana does not require separate trailer insurance. All drivers must carry minimum liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance. You should have better than minimum insurance if you use your trailer regularly since basic insurance will not cover your losses in a serious collision that damages your trailer.
Exemptions
Some trailers are exempt from the titling and registration requirement. These include:
- Mobile homes
- House trailers
These are not titled or registered, but they must file a declaration of destination and pay property tax when they are moved.
Montana Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
Download a Montana trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
