61-3-562. Permanent registration -- transfer of vehicle ownership -- rules. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(c), the owner of a light vehicle 11 years old or older subject to the registration fee, as provided in 61-3-561, may permanently register the vehicle upon payment of a $50 registration fee, the applicable registration and license fees under 61-3-321 and 61-3-412, and an amount equal to five times the applicable fees imposed for each of the following:
     (i) junk vehicle disposal fees under 15-1-122(3)(a);
     (ii) weed control fees under 15-1-122(3)(b);
     (iii) the former county motor vehicle computer fees under 61-3-511;
     (iv) the local option vehicle tax or flat fee on vehicles under 61-3-537;
     (v) if applicable, special license plate fees under 61-3-332 and renewal fees for personalized plates under 61-3-406; and
     (vi) senior citizens and persons with disabilities transportation services fees as provided in 61-3-321(6).
     (b) A person who permanently registers a vehicle as provided in subsection (1)(a) shall pay an additional $2 fee at the time of registration for deposit in the state general fund. The department shall pay from the general fund an amount equal to the $2 fee collected under this subsection (1)(b) from each motor vehicle registration to the pension trust fund for payment of supplemental benefits provided for in 19-6-709.
     (c) The following series of license plates may not be used for purposes of permanent registration of a vehicle:
     (i) Montana national guard license plates issued under 61-3-458(2)(b);
     (ii) reserve armed forces license plates issued under 61-3-458(2)(c);
     (iii) license plates bearing a wheelchair design as a symbol of a person with a disability issued under 61-3-332(11);
     (iv) amateur radio operator license plates issued under 61-3-422;
     (v) collegiate license plates issued under 61-3-465; and
     (vi) generic specialty license plates issued under 61-3-479.
     (2) In addition to the fees described in subsection (1), an owner of a truck with a manufacturer's rated capacity of 1 ton or less that is permanently registered shall pay five times the applicable fees imposed under 61-10-201.
     (3) The owner of a vehicle that is permanently registered under this section is not subject to additional fees under 61-3-561 or to other motor vehicle registration fees described in this section for as long as the owner owns the vehicle.
     (4) The county treasurer shall:
     (a) distribute the $50 registration fee collected under this section as provided in 61-3-509;
     (b) once each month, remit to the department of revenue the amounts collected under this section, other than the local option vehicle tax or flat fee, for the purposes of 61-3-321(3) and 61-10-201. The county treasurer shall retain the local option vehicle tax or flat fee.
     (5) (a) The permanent registration of a vehicle allowed by this section may not be transferred to a new owner. If the vehicle is transferred to a new owner, the department shall cancel the vehicle's permanent registration.
     (b) Upon transfer of a vehicle registered under this section to a new owner, the new owner shall apply for a certificate of title under 61-3-201 and file an application for registration under 61-3-303. (Subsection (1)(b) terminates on occurrence of contingency--sec. 24, Ch. 191, L. 2001.)

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 515, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 191, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 47, Ch. 257, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 337, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 20, Ch. 13, Sp. L. August 2002; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 143, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 280, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 70, Ch. 477, L. 2003.