In 1973 the Montana Motor Vehicle Recycle and Disposal Act 75-10-501, MCA was enacted for the establishment, control, operation, and licensing of public and private motor vehicle storage and wrecking yards. It requires these facilities to obtain an annual license, keep pertinent records, and shield their junk vehicles from public view. This law also requires the control of junk vehicles at locations other than motor vehicle wrecking facilities.

Public View is any point 6 feet above the surface of the center of a public road from which a junk vehicle can be seen. A public road is any publicly owned or maintained highway, street, road or alley.

Yes, all junk vehicles, regardless of number must be shielded from public view.

You can move the vehicle to a location that will shield it, such as a garage or behind a solid fence, hill or building. You may also construct shielding using permanant fencing materials. Certain construction specifications are required for proper shielding. If you intend to shield your vehicles, contact us prior to construction (call 406-652-2050 or email). Placing tarps or plastics over the vehicles is not acceptable shielding.

You may repair the vehicle to make it operable, or license it. Either action will remove the vehicle from the junk vehicle classification.

If you have four or more vehicles at any one location or if you buy, sell, or deal in secondhand motor vehicle parts you are required to obtain a license.

Information on the requirements for obtaining a Montana Motor Vehicle Wrecking Facility license can be obtained from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

MCA 15-1-122(a)
(2) For each fiscal year, there is transferred from the state general fund to the accounts, entities, or recipients indicated the following amounts:
(a) to the motor vehicle recycling and disposal program provided for in Title 75, chapter 10, part 5, 1.48% of the motor vehicle revenue deposited in the state general fund in each fiscal year. The amount of 9.48% of the allocation in each fiscal year must be used for the purpose of reimbursing the hired removal of abandoned vehicles. Any portion of the allocation not used for abandoned vehicle removal reimbursement must be used as provided in 75-10-532.