If you have a financed vehicle and want to register it out of state, you have two main options: South Dakota or a Montana LLC (with your bank's permission). South Dakota offers a straightforward registration with no residency requirement and a low sales tax, making it accessible for financed vehicles. Alternatively, a Montana LLC can save you on sales tax entirely, but typically requires you to own the vehicle outright, or get explicit permission from your lender.
For decades, the EPA has shaped emissions standards to tackle the pollution created by diesel engines, which power everything from trucks to construction equipment. This article delves into the evolution of Tier 1 through Tier 4 standards, the Energy Policy Act's initiatives, and state-specific regulations like California’s CARB standards. Discover how to meet compliance, whether through retrofitting, cleaner technology, or alternative registration options like Montana LLCs, to help diesel vehicle owners work within these regulations while considering their impact on air quality and public health.
Understanding RV and trailer weights is crucial for safety and performance when towing. The Dirt Legal guide dives into essential weight categories like Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). From ensuring your tow vehicle is adequately sized to managing tongue weight and using the right tires, this article offers practical insights for avoiding common towing mistakes. Stay within weight limits, avoid liability, and make sure your RV or trailer is legally registered with Dirt Legal to streamline your next adventure.
Selling a vehicle that's registered in a Montana LLC may seem complex, but it's actually a straightforward process. Whether you plan to sell the vehicle on its own or include the LLC in the transaction, there are several advantages to consider. From avoiding sales tax to making the transition easier for the buyer, a Montana LLC can streamline the sale. This article walks you through the steps, legal considerations, and best practices for successfully selling your vehicle, while also helping you decide whether to keep or transfer your LLC.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and DMV delays are right around the corner. If you need to get your vehicle street legal, now’s the time to act. With Dirt Legal’s easy Montana LLC registration process, you can skip the lines, avoid holiday delays, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your paperwork is handled before the holiday chaos hits.
If you have a financed vehicle and want to register it out of state, you have two main options: South Dakota or a Montana LLC (with your bank's permission). South Dakota offers a straightforward registration with no residency requirement and a low sales tax, making it accessible for financed vehicles. Alternatively, a Montana LLC can save you on sales tax entirely, but typically requires you to own the vehicle outright, or get explicit permission from your lender.
Understanding RV and trailer weights is crucial for safety and performance when towing. The Dirt Legal guide dives into essential weight categories like Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). From ensuring your tow vehicle is adequately sized to managing tongue weight and using the right tires, this article offers practical insights for avoiding common towing mistakes. Stay within weight limits, avoid liability, and make sure your RV or trailer is legally registered with Dirt Legal to streamline your next adventure.
Selling a vehicle that's registered in a Montana LLC may seem complex, but it's actually a straightforward process. Whether you plan to sell the vehicle on its own or include the LLC in the transaction, there are several advantages to consider. From avoiding sales tax to making the transition easier for the buyer, a Montana LLC can streamline the sale. This article walks you through the steps, legal considerations, and best practices for successfully selling your vehicle, while also helping you decide whether to keep or transfer your LLC.
At Dirt Legal, we understand that the process of registering your vehicle out of state can feel confusing. Whether you’re looking to avoid high taxes or bypass emission restrictions, the way you own your car—outright or with a lien—determines your options. For those buying a vehicle with cash or already holding the title, a Montana LLC offers a hassle-free way to get your vehicle registered without breaking the bank.
Out-of-state registration isn’t just about convenience. It’s a smart strategy to save on hefty sales taxes—especially with vehicles like trucks or motorhomes, which can come with tax bills in the thousands. Montana’s 0% sales tax makes it a clear winner over other states like South Dakota, especially since it doesn’t require permanent residency.
Montana is an off-roader’s paradise, offering vast wilderness and a diverse range of terrains that cater to all types of off-roading enthusiasts. With wide open prairies and rugged Rockies, the state provides a perfect playground for mudding, trail running, and general off-roading. Montana's sparse population means plenty of space to explore, and the combination of challenging landscapes—from sticky mud in the plains to rocky trails in the mountains—creates unique off-roading experiences.
For mudding enthusiasts, the prairies offer some of the best mud after snow melts, while regions like Yellowstone’s surroundings and the Flathead National Forest provide thrilling off-road trails. Whether you’re cruising in a street-legal UTV or tackling the wilderness in a surplus military vehicle, Montana offers endless opportunities for off-road adventures. Just remember to outfit your vehicle properly and adhere to the state's legal requirements for street-legal and OHV vehicles, making sure you're prepared for anything Montana's wild terrain might throw at you.
Boat trailers often go unnoticed in the registration process, but they play a crucial role in getting your boat to the water. Registering a boat trailer in most states can be expensive and inconvenient, mainly due to sales tax and outdated registration systems. However, with a Montana LLC, owners can avoid sales tax and enjoy a hassle-free registration process entirely online.
Montana’s LLC registration offers a simple and cost-effective solution. It allows you to register both your boat and trailer under the same LLC, saving time and money. Once the LLC is formed, you can add any additional vehicles to it, making future registrations even easier. Dirt Legal handles the entire process, from paperwork to DMV submissions, ensuring you receive your title and permanent registration without the stress of traditional methods.
Montana leads in out-of-state car registration with no sales tax, no vehicle inspections, and flexible LLC options. You can title and register all kinds of vehicle types and Montana offers permanent registration for older vehicles, making it attractive for cost savings and avoiding strict regulations!
Setting up insurance for an out-of-state car registration in California requires transparency. Dirt Legal’s Montana LLC program helps avoid inspections and save on taxes, but insurance can be tricky. Be honest with your provider about your setup to prevent denied claims. Work with experienced insurers who understand out-of-state registrations.
The construction industry is booming in Montana, with the 7th largest construction market in the nation. A lot of people are moving to Montana, and with that comes new buildings. New houses, new rental properties, new offices.
But you don't have to move to Montana to get great savings when you register your vehicles. You can do that right now through our Montana LLC registration program!
Got a luxury vehicle? Worried about getting hosed with a huge tax bill? Don't worry; we've got your back. Our Montana registration program gives you the peace of mind knowing that you won't be liable for a giant sales tax bill, and we also explain what the luxury vehicle fee is in Montana.
Hot Shot trucking is taking over the time-sensitive and smaller load segments of the trucking industry. And why not? You can start a business with a commercial-grade full-size pickup and a flatbed trailer. Not so fast, though: it's not quite that easy. Find out what it takes, and how Dirt Legal can save you a bundle in taxes.
One of the things that is largely misunderstood about the Montana LLC registration process, and one that we constantly get questions about, is transferring after 30 days. This was always a concern with some of the other states we worked with that after 30 days, the registration would be null to do domicile state laws requiring out of state registrations be transferred.
This poses a serious problem for anyone who was using an out-of-state registration option to get their UTV or other OHV made street legal. See, if you have to register it back in your home state (as would happen with a South Dakota OHV registration), you are kinda screwed since you registered it out of state because your domicile state won’t recognize them or register them.
So, when you register in Montana, do you need to transfer your plates to your home state after 30 days? Short answer: no. Long answer: still no, but read on to find out why.
What does it take for a vehicle to be street legal in Montana? Is it the presence of DOT-required items, passing a safety inspection, or strictly bureaucratic registration processes? The answer is all three.
First and foremost, "street-legal" is not a one-size-fits-all term. For instance, a vehicle that is street-legal in Montana doesn't have to meet the same standards as a street-legal vehicle in California. However, a vehicle legally tagged and registered in Montana (and generally any state) can legally travel through any other state.
The concept of being street-legal is embedded in the legal framework of the state where you register your vehicle. For example, in California, you must pass a smog test to be considered street-legal and registered. There is no such requirement in Montana; you can drive from Montana to California without needing that smog test.
In Montana, there are no inspection requirements for registering a vehicle or maintaining its registration. Once a vehicle is registered, it can be registered permanently after it reaches eleven years of age or older.
However, all vehicles must meet standard requirements to be considered street-legal: horn, turn signals, brake lights, seat belts (except motorcycles), headlights, etc.
The specific equipment requirements for all street-legal vehicles in Montana are detailed in the Montana Code and the Montana Title Manual. Due to the detail and complexity of statutory code, it's best for you to read the code based on the type of vehicle you want to register.
Since Montana has no vehicle inspection requirements and the vehicle does not need to be present at the time of registration, it is entirely up to you, the owner/operator, to ensure your vehicle is adequately equipped.
Chapter 9 covers all the pertinent info.
Supplementary resources:
Okay, so yes, Montana does have its own 30-day rule regarding people moving into the state. But that isn’t exactly what we are looking at. We are talking about every other state. Now, the term ‘30-day rule’ is generic; all of the states have different rules about this.
But generally speaking, the rule is somewhere in the ballpark of a month or less to register it in the home state.
For California, the number is only 20 days, while in New York it is 30 days.
If you registered out-of-state anywhere besides Montana, you would be basically obligated to abide by these rules. However, the secret sauce is the LLC. See, when you register your car through our Montana registration program, the owner is the LLC, and the LLC resides in Montana. It really is that simple.
One important caveat: the areas where we have seen the most trouble with this are vehicles that are outlawed in state, and the cops know it. For instance, surplus military vehicles are forbidden in Colorado and California, so if you go rolling through town with Montana plates, prepare to be pulled over at the least, and impounded at the worst. We have also seen a couple of videos surface of guys trying to run UTVs with Montana plates in Colorado and the local authorities weren’t having it.
If you decided to get a Montana registration for you 2021 Toyota Sienna, the odds are pretty good that nobody would ever bat an eye.
No, you sure don’t!
Because you were smart and created residency in Montana through an LLC, you don’t have to do anything. We like to keep things simple, here. You bought a Montana registration through us because you had a problem that you wanted taken care of.
What kind of problems do these take care of? Well, for one you don’t have to worry about state sales tax. Montana has no state sales tax, so once you register there, you don’t have to worry about it again.
Also, and we have talked about this at length, but this is the best way to get vehicles titled that are otherwise hard to get on the road. Most states do not take nearly as hard of a line on military vehicles as Colorado and California, but they can still be hard to get done in a lot of states since they are sold from the auction houses without titles.
There are million examples why our program is a great option, but here is the key takeaway: when you get an LLC through us, you have fully legal lawful residency in Montana. Residency is not the same as domicile, but it does mean that you can register your vehicles in Montana.
And one final piece of universal advice: the flashier or more unique a vehicle you register, the more scrutiny it will get. If it catches the eye of the police, odds are pretty good that they will pull you over to run the tags. Just be prepared for this.
We still offer registration packages from more than just Montana, but generally we discourage those unless there is a legitimate or extenuating reason to use them.
The Montana LLC and registration package is the best way to protect yourself when you want to register your vehicle out of state and want the legal footing to win in court should it go that way. Because, without the legal backing of the LLC, you are just another guy trying to skirt the rules and you probably won’t win that argument.
Check out our full line of Montana LLC products while you’re here; cars and trucks aren’t the only way to benefit from the process.
John McCoy is a lifelong car and truck enthusiast and has a strong mechanical background off the road. He spent over 13 years in the U.S. Air Force as a crew chief, assigned to the B-1B Lancer, affectionately known as the Bone to those in the community, and the KC-135R Stratotanker. He resides on a small farm in Eastern Kansas where he (sometimes) enjoys fixing ancient farm equipment.
Understanding RV and trailer weights is crucial for safety and performance when towing. The Dirt Legal guide dives into essential weight categories like Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). From ensuring your tow vehicle is adequately sized to managing tongue weight and using the right tires, this article offers practical insights for avoiding common towing mistakes. Stay within weight limits, avoid liability, and make sure your RV or trailer is legally registered with Dirt Legal to streamline your next adventure.
Selling a vehicle that's registered in a Montana LLC may seem complex, but it's actually a straightforward process. Whether you plan to sell the vehicle on its own or include the LLC in the transaction, there are several advantages to consider. From avoiding sales tax to making the transition easier for the buyer, a Montana LLC can streamline the sale. This article walks you through the steps, legal considerations, and best practices for successfully selling your vehicle, while also helping you decide whether to keep or transfer your LLC.
Montana has 56 counties, and in 2022 only six counties did not collect any tax revenue from vehicles! Here’s how to save as a Montana resident registering a vehicle to an LLC.
Whether you have already purchased our services or you're considering it, you will leave here with a better understanding of trust laws in Montana as related to owning vehicles under a Montana LLC.
Buying a vehicle that comes with a Montana LLC can offer significant tax advantages, but it's essential to understand the process and potential pitfalls. Here's a breakdown.
Here at Dirt Legal, we talk a whole lot about the Montana LLC program and how you can save a boatload of money. We love the freedom that it affords owners who are tired of paying 6%, 7%, 8%, 10%+ in sales taxes on their cars, plus other riders like vehicle use tax.
We feel like you’ve earned a break once you’ve spent over a hundred grand on one of the most collectible Audis on the planet.
The third certainty in life besides death and taxes is insurance. You’ve got to have it. Well, what kind of insurance do you need if you are registering you whip out of state? Especially if you are using a Montana LLC? Let’s find out!
Suppose you have a vehicle registered under an LLC already. You’re considering another purchase, and you want o make it tax-free as well. What does it take to add it to an existing LLC? Let’s find out!
A few states impose vehicle use tax, or ad volorem tax, on their annual taxation schedule. Virginia is one of them and has one of the highest rates in the nation. If you are a resident of Virginia or planning to move there, expect to pay at least 4.05% in annual use tax. Unless, of course, you are tagged in Montana. And we can help!
If you have a financed vehicle and want to register it out of state, you have two main options: South Dakota or a Montana LLC (with your bank's permission). South Dakota offers a straightforward registration with no residency requirement and a low sales tax, making it accessible for financed vehicles. Alternatively, a Montana LLC can save you on sales tax entirely, but typically requires you to own the vehicle outright, or get explicit permission from your lender.