Just Sold My RV in Montana — What’s Next? (2026)
Need Montana bill of sale documentation?
If you haven’t generated a Montana-compliant bill of sale yet, do it now — your proof-of-sale window closes the moment the buyer leaves.
Start My Montana RV Bill of Sale →Montana RV sale facts
| Titling agency | Montana DMV ↗ |
| Title transfer deadline | 40 days from sale |
| Release of liability | File with Montana DMV within 5 days |
| Buyer’s sales / use tax | Private-party exempt (Montana has no state sales tax on any purchases) |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $12 |
| RV identifier | chassis VIN (and coach serial if applicable) |
Your Montana RV post-sale checklist
- 1
Keep your signed Montana bill of sale
This is your proof that you sold the RV on the sale date. If the buyer gets a ticket, is in an accident, or fails to transfer the title within 40 days from the sale date, the Montana bill of sale shields you from liability. Keep both your copy and a scan for at least 5 years.
- 2
File a release of liability with Montana DMV
Most Montana sellers file this online through Montana DMV within 5 days of the sale. Filing removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, tolls, or accidents become the buyer's responsibility, not yours. Montana requires the buyer to title the RV within 40 days — your release filing protects you if the buyer misses that deadline.
- 3
Cancel or transfer your RV insurance
Contact your insurer the same day you hand over the keys. Montana does not require you to maintain insurance on a vehicle you no longer own, but you must not cancel before the sale is complete. If you are replacing the RV with another, transfer the policy instead — many insurers offer a short grace period to bind coverage on the new vehicle.
- 4
Remove your license plates
In Montana, plates go with the seller — not with the RV. Remove the plate(s) before the buyer drives or rides away. You can return them to Montana DMV or transfer them to your next vehicle.
- 5
Verify the 40-day title transfer window
Montana requires the buyer to retitle the RV at Montana DMV within 40 days of the sale date. If you have not received confirmation that the title has been transferred by day 45, contact Montana DMV with your bill of sale and release-of-liability filing number to confirm the change of ownership.
- 6
Confirm your Montana tax obligations (seller's side)
Montana does not impose state sales tax on private-party RV sales (Montana has no state sales tax on any purchases). The buyer typically pays a flat title fee (~$12) at Montana DMV. If you sold the RV for more than your original purchase price, you may owe federal capital gains — most private RV sales are at a loss and not taxable.
- 7
Watch for liens or loan payoff confirmation
If you had a loan on the RV, confirm the lender received the buyer's payoff and has released the lien on the Montana title before you deliver the title. Montana uses MV21 (Title Lien Notation Release) as the lien release form — your lender will file this with Montana DMV to clear the title record.
RV-specific note
Motorhomes (Class A/B/C) title under the chassis VIN; towable RVs (5th-wheels, travel trailers) title separately from the tow vehicle and may use a trailer-specific title category. Confirm both VIN and coach serial are recorded on the bill of sale.
Montana lien release procedure
- Obtain Form MV21 from the Montana DOJ Motor Vehicles Division or the lienholder.
- Lienholder completes and signs MV21 releasing the lien.
- Submit MV21 with the existing title and title application at a county courthouse.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean Montana title.
Frequently Asked Questions — Montana
How long do I have to file a release of liability in Montana?▾
Montana sellers should file a release of liability with Montana DMV within 5 days of the sale. Most Montana sellers can file this online directly through Montana DMV. Filing removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, tolls, or accidents fall on the buyer.
What is the Montana title transfer deadline for an RV?▾
Montana requires the buyer to title the RV within 40 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees and back-dated registration penalties.
Do I owe Montana sales tax on the RV I just sold?▾
Montana does not impose state sales tax on private-party RV sales. Montana has no state sales tax on any purchases. Sellers generally owe no Montana sales tax. You may owe federal capital gains tax if the RV sold for more than your original purchase price — most private sales are at a loss and not taxable.
Does Montana require a notary on the RV bill of sale?▾
No. Montana does not require notarization for a private RV bill of sale. A signed bill of sale with both parties' full names, addresses, signatures, and the date is sufficient for Montana DMV.
How does the buyer register the RV in Montana?▾
The buyer brings the signed bill of sale and endorsed title to Montana DMV, pays the title fee (~$12) plus any applicable use tax, and receives a new Montana title in their name. Transfer must be completed within 40 days of the sale date.
Do I record the chassis VIN or the coach serial number on the bill of sale?▾
Both — the chassis VIN is the one that titles the motorhome (it is the VIN of the cab chassis built by Ford, Chevy, Mercedes-Benz, or Freightliner). The coach serial is built by the RV manufacturer (Winnebago, Thor, Forest River, etc.) and identifies the living-quarters build. Record both on the bill of sale so the buyer has a complete record. Towable RVs (5th-wheels, travel trailers) carry their own single VIN and title separately from the tow vehicle.
Do weight-class title fees apply when I sell my RV?▾
In several states (CA, TX, NY, PA, IL, OH, GA, MI, WA, OR) title fees scale with the RV's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The buyer pays these fees at the DMV — sellers do not pay them. Make sure your bill of sale records the GVWR so the buyer can confirm the fee at title transfer.
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Source: Montana DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07