Sanders County, MT Vehicle Registration (2026)
In Sanders County (Thompson Falls), vehicle registration is Montana's flat age-based fee ($217 / $87 / $28 by age) plus a 0.5% county local-option tax on the car's depreciated value — about $100 on a $20,000 car. Montana has no sales tax, so there's nothing else to add.
Verified July 2026 from official sources. How we verify fees.
What you'll pay in Sanders County
- County local-option tax: 0.5% of value (~$100 on a $20,000 car)
- Age-based registration fee: $217 (0–4 yrs) / $87 (5–10) / $28 (11+), statewide
- Permanent registration (11+ yrs): $87.50 one-time option
- State sales tax: None (Montana has no sales tax)
How the cost works
Montana's registration fee is set by the vehicle's age and is the same in every county. What Sanders County adds is a local-option motor-vehicle tax of 0.5% of the car's depreciated value (about $100 on a $20,000 car), collected by the county treasurer with your registration. Vehicles with an MSRP over $150,000 that are 10 years old or newer also owe a $825 luxury surcharge statewide. Estimate the details on our Montana title page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is vehicle registration in Sanders County, MT?
The statewide age-based fee ($217 / $87 / $28 by age) plus Sanders County's 0.5% local-option tax on the car's value — about $100 on a $20,000 vehicle.
Does Sanders County charge a local-option vehicle tax?
Yes — 0.5% of the vehicle's depreciated value, collected with your registration. On a $20,000 car that's about $100.
Is there sales tax on a car in Sanders County?
No — Montana has no general sales tax, so there's no vehicle sales or use tax anywhere in the state, including Sanders County.