• Yes! Any watercraft owner can register their vehicle with our services, regardless of their state of residence.

• For eligible customers, we’ll register your watercraft in Montana under an LLC that we create with you. With a company vehicle, you unlock the freedom to drive in all 50 states.

• If your watercraft is still financed or has a salvage record, we’ll get you on the water with our South Dakota registration service. 

What if I have multiple watercraft vehicles or other vehicles? You can register multiple vehicles under the same LLC, simplifying your records and saving you time and money.

No. A Montana LLC used exclusively for vehicle registration is considered an “asset-holding” LLC.

• No Income = No Taxes
  - If your LLC doesn’t generate income, there’s no need to file state or federal tax returns. The IRS doesn’t require filings for entities with no financial activity.

  Is there an Annual LLC Maintenance Fee? The only recurring fee is an annual report to keep your LLC active—this covers all vehicles under the LLC, not just one.

Yes. Montana plates registered under a Montana LLC are fully legal. The vehicle is properly registered in the state where its owner (The Montana LLC) resides.

• Transfer Rule Exemptions
  - Many states have laws requiring out-of-state plates to be transferred within 30 days, but these rules don’t apply to Montana LLCs. Your watercraft's legal "home" is in Montana, even if you live elsewhere.
  - Remember that your LLC owns the vehicle, and can permit anyone to operate it regardless of where their license is issued.

• Law Enforcement: Law enforcement officers cannot stop or fine your LLC simply for having Montana plates unless there’s a clear violation.

Montana is the preferred choice for watercraft registration.

• Vehicle Ownership Privacy
  - Your Montana LLC will be the owner of your watercraft, and the vehicle registration will reflect this, keeping your personal information off of the registration.

• Save Time and Money

- Montana has no state sales tax
- Permanent plates and registrations are available for eligible customers. Never renew your registration again!
- No in-state inspections are required
- We handle all of the paperwork required for most registrations.

South Dakota is used when a vehicle is ineligible for Montana such as when it is financed or has a salvage record.

• Low Taxes and Fees
  - South Dakota has a low tax rate of only 4%

• Minimal Paperwork
  - We prefill everything we need from you. You simply sign and upload or mail what we request!

• South Dakota is a “Nomadic” state
  - South Dakota welcomes out-of-state customers. They understand that when you have the heart of an adventurer, you may not call any one place “home”, and allow you to register your vehicle in your name.

• Plan on staying in one place for an extended period?
  - We recommend you check your local laws and ordinances to determine if South Dakota registration makes sense for you.

While Montana LLC registration is fully legal, there are occasional misconceptions:

State Crackdowns? Rare. Some states like California or Georgia have tried to discourage out-of-state plates, but none have successfully targeted Montana LLC registrations. Dirt Legal ensures compliance with Montana laws, so you can feel confident on the water or anywhere you go.

We’re more than just a paperwork service—we’re your trusted guide in navigating motorcycle registration. Our team handles every detail to ensure your watercraft registration is accurate, compliant, and hassle-free.

Click here to get started with Dirt Legal and join thousands of vehicle owners saving money and avoiding headaches.