Montana handles motor carrier credentials through MDT and has a couple of state-specific registration rules. Here is a plain-language overview, with the official sources to confirm it.
State registration and authority
Montana does not issue a separate PUC-style operating-authority certificate for general intrastate property carriers; intrastate carriers complete an intrastate license application and register through MDT Motor Carrier Services. Montana has adopted the federal safety regulations, so all carriers keep a current USDOT number. Verify whether any for-hire intrastate authority filing applies with MDT.
Titling and the RPO rule
Two Montana-specific rules matter. Montana requires titles for all power units and trailers, not just registration, which carriers who only register through IRP can miss. And an out-of-state carrier operating in Montana beyond a short window or for hire must obtain Registration Purposes Only credentials and display Montana plates. Verify both with MDT.
State insurance minimums
Montana's intrastate liability minimums should be confirmed with MDT or the Montana Code rather than assumed, since the published registration guidance does not state a single figure. Hazmat follows the higher federal tiers.
Workers compensation
Montana requires workers comp for employers, with limited exceptions, covering full-time, part-time, seasonal, and occasional workers. Importantly, the Montana State Fund is a competitive option alongside private insurers and self-insurance, so Montana is not monopolistic. Verify the threshold and exceptions with the Department of Labor & Industry.
Federal rules still apply
Most trucking compliance is federal. Your USDOT number, interstate authority, the BMC-91 filing, the MCS-90, BOC-3, and UCR all still apply alongside Montana's requirements. We help line up the coverage behind both. Verify federal requirements with the FMCSA.
Verify before you rely on this
Montana requires titling of all units and Registration Purposes Only credentials for out-of-state carriers, and its workers comp state fund is competitive, not monopolistic. This page is general information for Montana carriers, not legal or FMCSA advice, and most trucking compliance is federal while state rules change. Confirm current requirements with the FMCSA and the Montana state agencies below before you rely on this.
Last verified June 2026 by Vantage Point Risk.
