When is a vehicle’s registration renewal due?
Most Montana vehicle registrations are annual, meaning that they need to be renewed every year.
Specifically, registrations are valid through the last day of the month, twelve months after the vehicle was last registered.
For example, if a vehicle was registered on July 10, 2025, its registration will be valid through July 31, 2026.
What registrations are permanent?
Registrations for motorcycles and trailers are permanent by default, meaning that they never have to be renewed.
Vehicles that are 11 years old and older are eligible for permanent registration.
Since permanent registration causes Montana to forego future registration revenue, the up front cost of permanent registration is slightly higher.
If you order a permanent registration with visitor.us, your vehicle’s registration does not need to be renewed annually.
Can I order a part-year registration?
No.
Do I get a refund on my registration if I sell my vehicle partway through the year?
No.
How do I cancel my Montana registration?
Montana registrations are valid through their expiration date. There is no process for canceling a registration before expiration - your registration simply runs to its expiration date and then either lapses (if not renewed) or, for permanent registrations, remains valid indefinitely.
If you sell or dispose of your vehicle before its registration expires, please remove your Montana license plates from the vehicle before transferring it - see What to do with your license plates after you sell your vehicle.
Will ordering my registration renewal early or late change my registration period?
No.
If a vehicle was registered to an owner in July, all subsequent registration renewals will expire in July - even if the registration renewal was ordered in June or August.
What if my registration has already expired?
You can still renew. The renewal window doesn't close — even if your registration lapsed weeks or months ago, you can place a renewal order through the same Renew button in your vehicle's details page.
There's no late fee for ordering after the expiration date, and your new registration period will still align with your vehicle's original registration month (see the previous question about registration period).
If your renewal order is placed a year or more after your registration has expired, Montana will issue new license plates for your vehicle.
If your registration has lapsed and you're driving the vehicle in the meantime, please be aware that driving with expired registration is a moving violation in every U.S. state. We recommend renewing promptly.