Montana Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator
2026Registering a car in Montana in 2026 costs about $391.31 a year ($319.56 by the fifth year) for a new $35,000 midsize sedan in Yellowstone County (Billings); electric cars pay $130.00 a year more. Estimate yours by state, vehicle age and fuel type.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology
Yearly Registration Cost
$391.31
One-Time Title and Plates
$24.00
Fee Breakdown
| State registration fee (0–4 years old) | $217.00 |
| Highway patrol fee | $10.00 |
| State administrative fee (3%) | $6.81 |
| County local option tax | $157.50 |
| Yearly Total | $391.31 |
| Title fee (one-time) | $12.00 |
| Plates (one-time) | $12.00 |
Estimate for a 2026 gasoline midsize sedan (3,400 lb, $35,000 new) registered in Yellowstone County (Billings). Other vehicles cost more or less, especially in states that charge by value or weight.
Montana charges a flat $217 for cars up to 4 years old, a $10 highway patrol fee and a 3% admin fee. Yellowstone County adds a local option tax on MSRP, depreciated with age.
Based on Billings (Yellowstone County). Local option taxes vary by county: up to 0.7% of value, a flat fee, or none. Changes require a county vote and take effect January 1.
Yellowstone County's tax rate is taken from a county fee page archived in December 2024, and the 3% admin fee may also apply to the county tax.
On July 1, 2028, the light-vehicle title fee drops from $12 to $7.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
Montana Vehicle Registration Costs (2026)
Registering a new car in Montana costs about $391.31 a year ($319.56 by the fifth year) for a new $35,000 midsize sedan in Yellowstone County (Billings). Montana charges a flat $217 for cars up to 4 years old, a $10 highway patrol fee and a 3% admin fee. Yellowstone County adds a local option tax on MSRP, depreciated with age.
Falls to $319.56 by the fifth year as the county tax depreciates; the base fee drops to $87 from the sixth year (2031).
Based on Billings (Yellowstone County). Local option taxes vary by county: up to 0.7% of value, a flat fee, or none. Changes require a county vote and take effect January 1.
A title costs $12, and new plates $12.
Montana adds $130 a year for an electric car and $70 for a plug-in hybrid under 6,000 lb, more for heavier vehicles; hybrids pay nothing extra. Cars 11+ years old on permanent registration pay a one-time fee instead, and amounts are not indexed.
Yellowstone County's tax rate is taken from a county fee page archived in December 2024, and the 3% admin fee may also apply to the county tax.
On July 1, 2028, the light-vehicle title fee drops from $12 to $7.
Montana Registration Costs (2026)
| Yearly Cost, New Car | $391.31 |
| Yearly Cost, 5-Year-Old Car | $319.56 |
| How the Fee Is Set | Mixed (fee + value) |
| Title Fee (one-time) | $12.00 |
| Extra Fee for Electric Cars | $130.00/yr |
| State Tax When You Buy a Car | None |
Official Sources: