Vehicle Registration (Bozeman, Deer Lodge: sales, insurance, house)

[reeldirtydawg]

As I explained in my earlier post my wife and I are moving back to Bozeman after being gone for 10 years...

We just bought a vehicle a couple of days ago, I need some advice on how to proceed with registration. I have a 30 day tag, if I go register it here I will pay sales tax and registration fees then in a few weeks when I get to MT I will have to register it again. I've searched the web and can not find the right answer on what is legal. Do I need to pay sales tax on it here and then register it in MT or can I just wait and register it when I get to MT?

Thanks

[Redraven]

If you will be in Montana before your temporary permit expires, I can see no reason to register it where you are now. I would wait until you get to Bozeman, then register it.
Besides, if you register it where you are now, will you have the title in hand when you want to register it in Montana? Remember, in Montana, the registered owner gets and keeps the title, not the lien holder.
I see no reason why you should pay the registration fees and sales tax, knowing you are leaving.

[Timberwolf232]

If it's a new vehicle, be prepared to pay $400-$500 bucks for registration in Gallatin County.

[seven of nine]

Should you have an address for residence in Mt? I know I had mine prior to moving and had vehicles registered on a trip out before the final move. Rez is correct on the fee, however no DEQ if you have had to deal with this before.

[CatherineFrances]

They (DOJ as they call it not the DMV.) have had HUGE problems in the last month with the NEW computers, new software, not enough training and so forth across this entire state.

I know about this first hand and still have to go back because the DESK person at the County Court House in the Vehicle Section still had a screw up. This is for a brand new paid in full vehicle, the title coming from Deer Lodge and the personal plates. The lady there even told me how SCREWED UP the new system was and that they filed a complaint with Governor S.

What should take 15 MINUTES at the MOST took an hour wait to GET to the counter and another HOUR because their freaking computers and 'hired help' could not get them to work even with SUPERVISOR HELP. NO kidding!!!

Then they did not give the OTHER plate paper forms while we wait again for the REAL plates to come in. (I am glad that I called them again on Friday!) The plate number is the same number on a former truck which was sold so all they had to do was transfer it... we wanted a new/clean plate even though I have the plastic cover over it to keep it a bit cleaner.

The license plate costs and the way they do things for a 'DMV' deal here in Montana is just plain NUTS in my not so humble opinion. SLOW and terribly inefficient in ALL ways. I have a gripe about that issue plus the COST. The insurance costs here in MT are some of the highest in the nation too. That is with an excellent record in ALL things... not even a parking ticket for me. Good for my groom too. The cost is a rip off.

Good and bad in all states in ALL issues and in Montana too.

Excuse my vent... thank you.

Catherine

[CatherineFrances]

mt.gov - Montana's Official State Website

Home - Montana Dept of Justice
Driver Services - MT Dept of Justice

Catherine