Custom Car Registration in Montana

To obtain a custom or antique vehicle registration in Montana, owners of such cars need to satisfy certain requirements and submit the necessary documentation. Motorists must complete the antique or custom car registration procedure through the state Department of Justice (DOJ) by satisfying the set requirements.

When registering a custom car or an antique vehicle, drivers are mandated to prepare the required paperwork and to submit payment for the applicable registration and license plates fees. If you want to find out more information about how to register an antique car in MT or what the requirements are for a custom vehicle registration, continue reading the sections below.

Definition of a Custom or Antique Vehicle in Montana

Prior to applying for antique or custom car registration in Montana, vehicle owners need to differentiate both types of vehicles and to become familiar with the specific DOJ requirements they have to satisfy. An antique vehicle registration is needed for cars that are considered antique vehicles, such as pioneer and vintage cars.

A pioneer is a motor vehicle manufactured in 1933 or before, while a vintage car is a motor vehicle manufactured in 1934 or since then and over 30 years old. Both the pioneer and the vintage vehicle may be used only as collector’s items and not for personal transportation.

An MT registration for custom cars is typically requested by owners of custom vehicles, kit vehicles, street rods or specially constructed vehicles. A custom vehicle is a motor vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured with non-original materials to look like a car model from the years after 1948.

A kit vehicle is a motor vehicle constructed as a complete kit with body and chassis or a kit with body to be installed on an existing chassis. A street rod is a motor vehicle, which includes a kit, manufactured with non-original materials to resemble the vehicles before 1949.

Finally, a custom vehicle registration is also needed for specially constructed vehicles that have been assembled from custom-built materials from other cars and do not resemble a specific vehicle model or make.

Steps in the Montana Custom or Antique Vehicle Registration Process

When registering custom cars or applying for antique vehicle registration in Montana, drivers need to satisfy certain requirements and prepare the necessary documentation prior to visiting a local DOJ office.

In addition, motorists will be required to complete different application forms, depending on the type of vehicle they own. When applying for a custom auto registration, drivers need to complete a Fact Sheet form which will require them to choose and tick one of the types of custom vehicles.

Moreover, when registering an antique car in MT, drivers need to complete an Application for Registration of a Vintage or Pioneer Vehicle. In addition to the application form, motorists will be mandated to pay the applicable fees for antique license plates and registration and mail both the form and the payment to the Title and Registration Bureau.

Note: Vehicle owners who apply for pioneer or vintage license plates, need to have a car title issued in their name before applying.

Fees to Register a Custom or Antique Vehicle in Montana

The final step in the custom or antique vehicle registration procedure is to provide payment for the applicable fees which depend on the antique license plate rules.

Obtaining pioneer or vintage license plates in MT will require you to pay either a one-time fee of $5 for vehicles with a gross weight of 2,850 pounds and less, or a one-time fee of $10 for vehicles with bigger gross weight. In addition to this one-time payment, standard license plate fees may apply and vehicle owners will be required to pay them as well.

If you want to find out the cost of Montana classic license plates for the motor vehicles that belong to the custom cars group, you may contact a nearby DOJ branch and find out all the necessary information.

Note: In addition to the antique or custom car registration renewal procedure, drivers must also renew car registration in Montana for their standard passenger vehicles.

Last updated on Monday, March 9 2020.