Selling a dead or junk car in Helena

The state rule that applies on your lot

Under Montana law, a junk vehicle is a motor vehicle that is discarded, ruined, wrecked or dismantled, not lawfully licensed, and still inoperative. Under MCA 75-10-505, whoever has one or more must keep it hidden from public view, or send it off to a licensed wrecker or a county motor vehicle graveyard after the owner signs off.

The law is specific about what "public view" means. In Helena, if someone standing 6 feet above the center of a public road could see the junk vehicle, it counts. Shielding means fences or barriers that block the view. On Helena's hillside streets, a car below the road can be in plain view of anyone driving past.

Also worth knowing: four or more junk vehicles kept at one place count as evidence of an unlicensed motor vehicle wrecking facility.

The two-hour rule for a breakdown

On a public street, Helena moves fast. Section 8-11-1 says "In the event of a vehicle becoming disabled, every attempt shall be made to remove said vehicle from the public street, and in no event shall such vehicle be allowed to remain parked in such location longer than two (2) hours."

The same section covers cars that have sat longer. "After the vehicle has been declared abandoned, the City police shall place a five (5) day notice of intent to remove and impound the vehicle." After a tow, the owner "will be responsible for moving and storage expenses."

Meters and expired plates

Two more lines in section 8-11-1 catch cars that have quietly stopped running:

• A car at a city parking meter "in excess of twenty four (24) hours shall be deemed a nuisance" and is impounded.
• A car on a city street, alley, roadway or public property, "including city owned or regulated parking lots," that has no plate or an expired plate is also "deemed a nuisance" and impounded under section 8-21-1.

Section 8-11-13 lets any police officer, Traffic Control Officer or highway patrolman do the towing. For a car already sitting in an impound yard, see towed or impounded.

Title work, with the state office in town

Helena is where the MVD's Vehicle Services Bureau takes mail. A replacement title application, form MV7, can be mailed to the bureau at PO Box 201431, Helena, MT 59620. Any county treasurer's office takes it in person as well. Title questions go to 406-444-3661 or mvdtitleinfo@mt.gov. You can also check online at mvdmt.gov whether a lien shows as released. A loan that is paid off but still on the title needs form MV37A; see lien still on the title.

The selling itself is short. Since Oct. 1, 2025, Montana no longer requires a notary for the seller's signature. Fill in each field in blue or black ink. Write the buyer's name and address. Give the odometer reading on a car newer than nine years. The buyer handles titling at the treasurer's office in their own county and has 40 days to do it. If the title is lost, start with junk car with no title.

Plates and proof

Montana plates go with the seller. MCA 61-3-334 says to take them off at once when ownership changes. The MVD notes that plates left on can make you liable for later parking or traffic violations. No release form exists, so photocopy the signed title on both faces and file the copy at home. Form MV24, the bill of sale, adds one more.

Nearby

Great Falls is 71.2 miles from Helena in a straight line, Bozeman 78.2 and Missoula 97.0. The Montana page has the statewide picture.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or begin online. Tell us the model, about what the odometer reads, if it starts, and any title quirks. Pickup can be behind a fence on your lot or at a Helena curb with two hours ticking.