61-3-224. Temporary registration permit -- authority to adopt rules -- issuance -- placement -- fees. (1) The department may adopt rules governing the issuance of temporary registration permits. The rules must specify the purposes for which a temporary registration permit may be issued, including but not limited to issuance to:
(a) a Montana resident who acquires a new or used motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, motorboat, sailboat that is 12 feet in length or longer, snowmobile, or off-highway vehicle for operation of the vehicle or vessel prior to titling and registration of the vehicle or vessel under this chapter;
(b) the owner of a salvage vehicle or a vehicle requiring a state-assigned vehicle identification number in order to move the vehicle to and from a designated inspection site prior to applying for a new certificate of title under 61-3-107 or 61-3-212;
(c) the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer registered in this state for operation of the vehicle while awaiting production and receipt of special or duplicate license plates ordered for the vehicle under this chapter;
(d) a nonresident of this state who acquires a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer in this state for operation of the vehicle prior to its titling and registration under the laws of the nonresident's jurisdiction of residence;
(e) a dealer licensed in another state who brings a motor vehicle or trailer designed and used to apply fertilizer to agricultural lands into the state for special demonstration in this state;
(f) a financial institution located in Montana for a prospective purchaser to demonstrate a motor vehicle that the financial institution has obtained following repossession;
(g) an insurer or its agent to move a motor vehicle or trailer to auction following acquisition of the vehicle by the insurer as a result of the settlement of an insurance claim; or
(h) a nonresident owner to temporarily operate a quadricycle or motorcycle designed for off-road recreational use on the highways of this state when the quadricycle or motorcycle designed for off-road recreational use is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9 but the quadricycle or motorcycle designed for off-road recreational use is not registered or is only registered for off-road use in the nonresident's home state.
(2) (a) The department, an authorized agent, or a county treasurer may issue a temporary registration permit for any purpose authorized under the rules adopted by the department.
(b) An authorized agent or a county treasurer may issue a temporary registration permit without use of the department-approved electronic interface only if authorized by the department.
(3) A person, using a department-approved electronic interface, may issue a temporary registration permit for any purpose authorized under the rules adopted by the department.
(4) A temporary registration permit issued under this section must contain the following information:
(a) a temporary plate number as prescribed by the department;
(b) the expiration date of the temporary registration permit; and
(c) if required by the department, a description of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, motorboat, personal watercraft, sailboat, or snowmobile, including year, make, model, and vehicle identification number, the name of the person from whom ownership of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, motorboat, personal watercraft, sailboat, or snowmobile was transferred, the name, mailing address, and residence address of the person to whom ownership of the motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, motorboat, personal watercraft, sailboat, or snowmobile has been transferred, and the date of issuance.
(5) A temporary registration permit for:
(a) a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer must be plainly visible and firmly attached to the rear exterior of the vehicle where a license plate is required to be displayed; and
(b) a motorboat, a sailboat that is 12 feet in length or longer, a snowmobile, or an off-highway vehicle must be plainly visible and firmly attached to the vehicle or vessel.
(6) (a) Except as provided in 61-3-431 and subsection (6)(b) of this section, a $3 fee is imposed upon issuance of a temporary registration permit by the department, an authorized agent, or a county treasurer. The fee must be paid by the owner of the vehicle or vessel and collected by the department, the authorized agent, or a county treasurer when the vehicle is registered.
(b) Except as provided in 61-3-431, a fee of $8 is imposed and must be paid upon issuance of a temporary registration permit by:
(i) the department, an authorized agent, or a county treasurer to a nonresident of this state who acquires a vehicle or vessel in this state or who registers for temporary use in this state a quadricycle or motorcycle designed for off-road recreational use; or
(ii) a person who issued a temporary registration permit using a department-approved electronic interface.
(7) The fees imposed under this section, upon collection, must be forwarded to the state and deposited in the motor vehicle electronic commerce operating account provided for in 61-3-118.
(8) If a temporary registration permit is issued under this section to a person to whom ownership of a vehicle or vessel has been transferred, the permitholder shall title and register the vehicle or vessel in this or another jurisdiction before the ownership of the vehicle or vessel may be transferred to another person.