61-3-701. Foreign vehicles used in gainful occupation to be registered -- reciprocity. (1) Before a foreign licensed motor vehicle may be operated on the highways of this state for hire, compensation, or profit or before the owner or user of the vehicle uses the vehicle if the owner or user is engaged in gainful occupation or business enterprise in the state, including highway work, the owner of the vehicle shall apply to a county treasurer for registration upon an application form furnished by the department. Upon satisfactory evidence of ownership submitted to the county treasurer and the payment of motor vehicle taxes or fees in lieu of taxes, if appropriate, as required by 15-8-201, 15-8-202, 15-24-301, 61-3-504, 61-3-529, or 61-3-537, the treasurer shall accept the application for registration and shall collect the regular license fee required for the vehicle.
     (2) Upon payment of the fees or taxes, the treasurer shall issue to the applicant a copy of the certificate entitled "Owner's Certificate of Registration and Payment Receipt" and forward a duplicate copy of the certificate to the department. The treasurer shall at the same time issue to the applicant the proper license plates or other identification markers, which must at all times be displayed upon the vehicle when operated or driven upon roads and highways of this state during the effective period of the license.
     (3) The registration receipt does not constitute evidence of ownership but must be used only for registration purposes. A Montana certificate of ownership may not be issued for this type of registration.
     (4) This section is not applicable to a vehicle covered by a valid and existing reciprocal agreement or declaration entered into under the provisions of the laws of Montana.

     History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 121, L. 1929; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 126, L. 1933; re-en. Sec. 1760.7, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 93, L. 1939; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 296, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 195, L. 1953; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 143, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 206, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 290, L. 1967; R.C.M. 1947, 53-129; amd. Sec. 46, Ch. 421, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 35, Ch. 614, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 140, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 516, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 34, Ch. 611, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 37, Ch. 496, L. 1997.