Boating in Montana

Registration, titles, boater education and taxes, from County Treasurer (Montana MVD); Montana FWP (rules/education) and other official sources.

Registering agency	County Treasurer (Montana MVD); Montana FWP (rules/education)
Registration fees	motorboat <16 ft $65.50; 16-18 $125.50; 19+ $295.50; title $10
Renewal	permanent (one-time fee; MCA 61-3-321(10)(a)(i)); free FWP validation decal expires every 3 years
Title	yes (certificate of ownership) for motorboats, PWC and sailboats 12 ft+
Boater education	Youth 13 and 14 years of age must either complete a boating education course or be accompanied by an adult in order to operate a motorboat or PWC with a motor greater than 10 horsepower. [per USCG-hosted NASBLA state survey; survey date not shown, may be outdated]; ages 13-14 to operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 hp without an adult [per USCG-hosted NASBLA survey; may be outdated]
Sales/use tax	0% (no general sales tax); cap: n/a
Property tax	one-time registration fee
Forms	Official forms

Sources

Checked 2026-10-24. Rules change; confirm with the agency.