If you have a financed vehicle and want to register it out of state, you have two main options: South Dakota or a Montana LLC (with your bank's permission). South Dakota offers a straightforward registration with no residency requirement and a low sales tax, making it accessible for financed vehicles. Alternatively, a Montana LLC can save you on sales tax entirely, but typically requires you to own the vehicle outright, or get explicit permission from your lender.
For decades, the EPA has shaped emissions standards to tackle the pollution created by diesel engines, which power everything from trucks to construction equipment. This article delves into the evolution of Tier 1 through Tier 4 standards, the Energy Policy Act's initiatives, and state-specific regulations like California’s CARB standards. Discover how to meet compliance, whether through retrofitting, cleaner technology, or alternative registration options like Montana LLCs, to help diesel vehicle owners work within these regulations while considering their impact on air quality and public health.
Understanding RV and trailer weights is crucial for safety and performance when towing. The Dirt Legal guide dives into essential weight categories like Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). From ensuring your tow vehicle is adequately sized to managing tongue weight and using the right tires, this article offers practical insights for avoiding common towing mistakes. Stay within weight limits, avoid liability, and make sure your RV or trailer is legally registered with Dirt Legal to streamline your next adventure.
Selling a vehicle that's registered in a Montana LLC may seem complex, but it's actually a straightforward process. Whether you plan to sell the vehicle on its own or include the LLC in the transaction, there are several advantages to consider. From avoiding sales tax to making the transition easier for the buyer, a Montana LLC can streamline the sale. This article walks you through the steps, legal considerations, and best practices for successfully selling your vehicle, while also helping you decide whether to keep or transfer your LLC.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and DMV delays are right around the corner. If you need to get your vehicle street legal, now’s the time to act. With Dirt Legal’s easy Montana LLC registration process, you can skip the lines, avoid holiday delays, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your paperwork is handled before the holiday chaos hits.
There comes a time when you deal with cars a lot (especially older cars and trucks) that you are probably going to find a car where the actual mileage isn’t known. Let’s take a look at your options if this happens.
Unfortunately, the shop has the legal right to keep your car until the charges are paid for. No matter what your reason is for not settling the bill, you might be facing a mechanic’s lien against your vehicle if you don’t pay the mechanic.
While some surety bonds are based on your credit, a lost title surety bond is based strictly on the value of your vehicle. Most states require your bond value to be 1.5 to 2 times the vehicle’s value as determined by the DMV. You will only be required to pay this if someone else makes a successful claim against your bond.
A lienholder is the lender that owns your car or other property. Basically, they have the legal claim to your property because they gave you the money to buy it – until then, it’s theirs.
Technically, a bonded title is considered to be a provisional document. Some states allow the bonded title to be challenged up to several years after the issue date, so if there is any chance you don’t own the vehicle outright, you need to know how long that window is in your state.
Even if you play by the rules and make your payments on-time, some shady title loan businesses will hit you with hidden fees, penalties, or high interest rates.
When your car has a lien, the lienholder has all the legal rights to your vehicle’s title. For all intents and purposes, that means the lienholder owns your car. That might be the bank, the IRS, or even a mechanic’s shop.
A title lien could come from a loan, unpaid mechanic work, an IRS action, or even a family court settlement.
If the previous owner had an outstanding car title loan before selling it to you, you could be liable! This can be fixed very easily.
A little caution goes a long way. Here’s how to tell if that shiny new car is stolen or belongs to the bank.
