I'm from the UK. I have found a bike I'd like to buy in Montana state (private seller)...my problem is registration. I have a couple of questions:

1. Can I re-register the bike at the sellers home address?
2. How long does it take for the registration documents / plates to be sent out?
3. What exactly is sent to the registration address?
4. Are you given temporary documents so you can ride the bike whilst waiting for the registration documents to arrive?
5. Will temporary registration documents be valid in other US states?

Thanks

Rob

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1. Yes, if he is willing. Are you using a US license or?
2. I think plates are picked up at the licensing office...it has been a while since I lived there. (I was a police officer in MT. back in the 80's)
3. Nothing is sent, as I said. Just take the bike, in case they want to physically inspect the VIN, the bill of sale and proof of insurance.
4. You should get ALL of the paperwork at the license office.
5.Temps are OK, but permanent is the best way.

My recollection is that you buy the bike and take it and its' paperwork to the vehicle Dept. They issue all there if I remember correctly.

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Thanks for the information Ornery. I'm going to be using an international driving license issued in the UK. It all sounds surprisingly straight forward.

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Hi there, I live near Helena Montana. When you buy a bike in montana you go to the local county courthouse and pay your dollars for vehical transfer and a bunch of taxes and added on revenue enhancers. I just bought and licensed a 78 KZ1000 kawi and it cost $95.00. They then give you a shiny new "permanant" license plate and a piece of paper that has the bike info and your name on it that is called registration papers. So when you get stopped by the cops they can ask you for "license, registration and insurance". This registration paper proves you own the bike. I just got back from canada and this was all I took with me. Two to six weeks later your permanent title will arive in the mail at the address you gave them at the courthouse when you transfered the ownership of the bike to your name.
Once you have the "title" which is just a more offical looking document I would go to a notary and have it notorized and sign it. This is required in montana to resell the bike. They want a offical notary stamp verifiying that you signed the title to sell the bike. Almost any car lot or bank can do this for you. The law used to be that you had to have a buyers name on the title but at least here in the state capital of Helena Mt. the title can be signed by you and left open as far as a buyer. If you do sell the bike I would download from the internet this form and fill it out just to be on the safe side http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/forms/mv24.pdf
If you have the permanent title you can sell the bike in any of the other states or if it breaks down and is unfixable you can leave the title with it and be on your way ;-)
Insurance is not required on bikes in montana. Canada and other states of course require it.
Helena Handbasket: Helena Area ADV Riders' Union - Page 57 - ADVrider some local riders.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the info. Do you know if the 'permanent' address you give needs to be in the state of Montana? I'm planning on travelling as soon as I get the bike registered, it would be better for me to give an address in a different state so that I can get travelling and pick up the permanent papers elsewhere.

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Probably you need a montana address to put a montana license on your bike. Just give a address of someone that will cooperate and send the title along to you at a convenient place. Hopefully you don't have each day and each mile already planned out. Like right now there are road closures from flooding going on. And some fresh snow in the mountains.

That's great. I've not got things worked out, other than I'm going to head south. Sounds pretty much straight forward.

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