Whether you’ve just bought a vehicle from a private seller, a dealership, or brought a car into Montana from another state, you need a way to drive it legally while the official registration plates are being processed. In Montana, this is handled through the Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) system — a state-administered, electronically generated document that serves as your vehicle’s legal authorization until permanent plates arrive.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Montana’s TRP process: who issues them, what documents are required, how much they cost, and how long they last.
What Is a Montana Temporary Registration Permit (TRP)?
A Montana Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) is the official term for what most drivers call a temp tag or temporary license plate. Authorized under Montana Code Annotated § 61-3-224, the TRP is issued by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), county treasurers, or authorized agents (including licensed dealerships) and functions as a legal substitute for permanent registration plates during the registration processing period.
Unlike paper tags in some states, Montana TRPs are placed in a durable, license-plate-style plastic pouch and displayed where the vehicle’s rear license plate would normally go — making them easily identifiable to law enforcement and verifiable through the National Law Enforcement Teletype System (NLETS).
How Long Is a Montana Temporary Tag Valid?
- Standard TRP: Valid for 40 days from the date of issuance
- Extended TRP (90-day): Available under specific circumstances (e.g., § 61-3-303(4)(b))
The permit expires when it reaches its date — or when the vehicle is registered, whichever comes first. The 40-day window is the most commonly issued TRP and is designed to give new vehicle owners enough time to complete Montana’s titling and registration process through their county treasurer’s office.
How to Get a Montana Temp Tag: Step-by-Step Instructions
If You Bought from a Montana Dealership: The dealership handles the TRP issuance at the time of sale using the MVD’s online Vehicle Registration Suite. You will receive a printed TRP to place in the plastic sleeve and display on the rear of your vehicle. No additional steps are required from you immediately.
If You Bought from a Private Seller
- Do NOT drive the vehicle before obtaining a TRP — you have no legal authority to operate it.
- Gather the required documents (see below).
- Visit your county treasurer’s office in person.
- Present your documents and apply for a TRP.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Receive your TRP, insert it into the provided plastic sleeve, and display it where the rear license plate would go.
- Within 40 days, complete full title and registration at the county treasurer’s office.
Required Documents for a Montana Temporary License Plate
For a private-sale vehicle, the Gallatin County Treasurer (and most county offices) require:
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- A notarized bill of sale signed by ALL legal owners, with the notary section dated within the last 40 days — OR — a bill of sale/purchase agreement from a dealership, signed by both the purchaser and a selling agent, dated within the last 40 days
- Proof of Montana liability insurance
Important: If you have a notarized Montana title or an out-of-state title in hand, many county offices will proceed directly to full registration rather than issuing a TRP. A TRP is specifically for situations where you cannot yet complete full registration.
Montana TRP Fees: How Much Does a Temp Tag Cost?
| Standard TRP (residents): | $19.50 |
| TRP issued via dealer electronic interface / non-resident: | $24.50 |
| 90-day extended TRP: | $24.00 |
Fee collected at time of sale. Contact your county treasurer for accepted payment methods.
Who Can Issue a Montana TRP?
Montana TRPs can be issued by three authorized parties:
- Licensed Montana vehicle dealerships — issued electronically through the MVD’s online TRP system at the point of sale
- County Treasurer’s offices — for private-sale purchases or when plates are not available after full registration
- Montana MVD Title and Registration Bureau (TRB) staff — in specific administrative situations
If you purchase from a private seller, you are responsible for obtaining your own TRP from the county treasurer before driving the vehicle. The seller’s plates must be removed — you cannot drive using the previous owner’s plates.
How to Display a Montana TRP Correctly
Montana law is specific: the TRP must be placed in a durable, license-plate-style plastic pouch approved by the MVD and displayed on the rear of the vehicle exactly where a permanent plate would sit. When you receive your TRP from a county office, you will typically also receive the plastic sleeve. Once your permanent plates arrive, remove the TRP and replace it with your new plates.
Montana Temporary License Plate: Special Situations
County Treasurer Has No Plates in Stock: Even after full registration is paid, if the specific plate style you want is unavailable, the county treasurer can issue a 90-day temporary permit while your plates are ordered. This is a post-registration TRP and functions slightly differently from a purchase-related one.
Not as a member of the public. The online TRP system (available at app.mvdmt.gov) is restricted to registered authorized users — dealerships, county offices, and MVD staff. Individual buyers must apply in person at a county treasurer’s office or have the dealer issue one at the time of sale.
No. Montana law does not provide a grace period for driving an unregistered vehicle purchased in a private sale. The seller must remove their plates, and you must obtain a TRP before legally operating the vehicle.
The 40-day TRP is the standard permit for newly purchased vehicles going through the registration process. The 90-day TRP is issued in specific circumstances, including when the county treasurer has registered the vehicle but cannot immediately provide permanent plates.
Not in the way you might extend a traditional permit. If your 40-day TRP expires before registration is complete, you need to visit your county treasurer’s office immediately to resolve the situation. Driving on an expired TRP is illegal.
Yes. Proof of Montana liability insurance is required to obtain a TRP. Ensure your policy is in place before visiting the county treasurer’s office.
Moving to Montana from Another State
New Montana residents are responsible for registering their out-of-state vehicle with their county treasurer. If you need to drive immediately, a TRP can be issued pending that registration. Notarization requirements for bills of sale changed in October 2025 — individual buyers may no longer need notarized documents, but verification with your specific county is recommended.
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