I’ll first cover the federal basis, then list all 50 states in alphabetical order with how their laws generally treat non-resident, out-of-state registered vehicles. Where I name a specific statute, it’s one of the key “nonresident / reciprocity / exempt from registration” provisions that supports your position.
1. Federal foundation (applies in all 50 states)
Full Faith and Credit – U.S. Constitution
- The U.S. Constitution requires every state to give “full faith and credit” to the public acts and records of every other state. Motor vehicle titles and registrations issued by Montana are those “public records.”
Federal full-faith-and-credit statute
- Congress implemented this in 28 U.S.C. § 1738, which tells courts and officials in each state to give the same effect to other states’ official records as they have where they were issued.
What that means in plain English
If Montana legally titles and registers your Quadricycle to your Montana LLC, every other state must recognize that title and registration as valid. Your LLC is an out-of-state (non-resident) owner; your Quadricycle is a duly registered out-of-state vehicle.
Every state then applies its “non-resident / reciprocity” provisions to you — those are the state-level laws summarized below.
2. State-by-state overview
How states treat non-resident, out-of-state registered vehicles
Important: No state’s code is going to say the words “Montana Quadricycle” specifically. Instead, each state has general rules that exempt properly registered non-resident vehicles from local registration and recognize valid out-of-state plates. Your Montana-registered Quadricycle, owned by a Montana LLC, fits into that category.
Below, each state is listed alphabetically with a short explanation. For several states I also include a representative statute showing the pattern.
Alabama
Alabama allows non-commercial vehicles owned and operated by non-residents to be driven into the state while using their home-state registration and plates, under its motor-vehicle and revenue rules for non-residents (see e.g. Ala. Admin. Code r. 810-5-1-.245 on non-residents operating non-commercial vehicles).
Alaska
Alaska’s motor-vehicle laws allow non-resident owners to operate non-commercial vehicles for a set period using a current registration from another state, as long as the out-of-state plate is valid and displayed (see Alaska DMV guidance and Title 28 provisions on non-residents).
Arizona
Arizona’s registration chapter recognizes foreign (out-of-state) vehicles owned by non-residents, and provides a structure for when they must or need not be registered in Arizona (see Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-2321, 28-2153 on registration of non-resident vehicles).
Arkansas
Arkansas’ registration laws allow motor vehicles operated by non-residents making occasional trips into the state to operate without Arkansas registration, as long as they comply with their home state’s registration requirements (see Ark. Code § 27-14-703 / § 27-14-704 on vehicles subject to registration and exceptions for non-resident vehicles).
California
California explicitly gives “privileges of nonresidents.” A non-resident owner may operate a vehicle in California without obtaining California registration if the vehicle is registered in the owner’s home state and displays valid plates (Cal. Vehicle Code § 6700).
Colorado
Colorado’s motor-vehicle code provides for non-resident and reciprocity treatment of vehicles registered in another jurisdiction, allowing them to operate in Colorado when properly registered and plated in the owner’s home state. (Your attorney can look in Title 42, “Vehicles and Traffic,” for the “nonresident” and “reciprocity” sections.)
Connecticut
Connecticut recognizes properly registered out-of-state vehicles owned by non-residents and allows them to operate on Connecticut highways on the strength of their home-state registration, subject to time-limit and use conditions in its motor-vehicle statutes (Title 14).
Delaware
Delaware’s motor-vehicle laws allow vehicles that are duly registered in another state and owned by non-residents to be driven in Delaware without Delaware registration for defined periods, relying on registration reciprocity and non-resident provisions in Title 21.
Florida
Florida is very clear: Fla. Stat. § 320.37 says the chapter’s registration and plate requirements do not apply to a motor vehicle owned by a non-resident if the owner has complied with the registration law of the owner’s home jurisdiction and properly displays that registration. It also authorizes reciprocal non-resident exemptions in §§ 320.38–320.39.
Georgia
Georgia allows vehicles owned by non-residents that are properly registered in their home state to be used on Georgia highways for a defined period without Georgia registration (Ga. Code § 40-2-90).
Hawaii
Hawaii’s motor-vehicle statutes permit vehicles registered in another jurisdiction and owned by non-residents to be operated in Hawaii under their home-state registration, subject to the state’s general time-limit and residency rules in Chapter 249/286.
Idaho
Idaho recognizes out-of-state registrations and allows non-resident vehicles to operate in Idaho without Idaho plates for defined periods, as long as they remain properly registered and plated in their home state (see Title 49 provisions on non-resident vehicles and reciprocity).
Illinois
Illinois’ reciprocity section, 625 ILCS 5/3-402(B), provides that a motor vehicle need not be registered in Illinois if it is operated interstate and registered in another jurisdiction, under reciprocity rules.
Indiana
Indiana’s motor-vehicle laws recognize non-resident vehicles that are duly registered in their home jurisdiction, allowing them to be operated in Indiana under reciprocity provisions in its vehicle code (Title 9).
Iowa
Iowa provides that vehicles owned by non-residents and registered in another state can be operated on Iowa highways under that registration, consistent with Iowa’s registration and reciprocity provisions in Chapter 321.
Kansas
Kansas’ statutes provide non-resident exemptions and reciprocity for vehicles registered in another jurisdiction, allowing such vehicles to operate in Kansas on their home-state plates under the motor-vehicle registration chapter (Chapter 8).
Kentucky
Kentucky’s motor-vehicle code recognizes out-of-state registrations, allowing non-resident vehicles duly registered elsewhere to operate within Kentucky’s borders under reciprocity arrangements and non-resident exemptions in KRS Chapter 186.
Louisiana
Louisiana recognizes out-of-state registered vehicles owned by non-residents and permits operation under those registrations (Title 32). As you already reference in your materials, the Louisiana Supreme Court also confirmed in Thomas v. Bridges that using an out-of-state LLC for vehicle registration and tax-avoidance purposes is lawful tax avoidance, not fraud.
Maine
Maine allows vehicles owned by non-residents and registered out-of-state to operate in Maine without local registration for defined time periods, through non-resident and reciprocity provisions in Title 29-A.
Maryland
Maryland’s transportation code contains specific provisions under which non-resident vehicles properly registered elsewhere may be operated in Maryland, including military and general non-resident exemptions, as referenced in legislative materials regarding “vehicle registration exemptions for nonresidents.”
Massachusetts
Massachusetts recognizes valid out-of-state registrations for vehicles owned by non-residents, allowing them to operate in Massachusetts while displaying their home-state plates, under registration and reciprocity provisions in Chapter 90.
Michigan
Michigan’s vehicle code allows non-resident vehicles duly registered in another state to be operated within Michigan without obtaining Michigan registration, under its non-resident and reciprocity sections in the Michigan Vehicle Code.
Minnesota
Minnesota recognizes vehicles registered in another jurisdiction and owned by non-residents, allowing operation in Minnesota without local registration, based on reciprocity provisions in Chapter 168.
Mississippi
Mississippi’s motor-vehicle laws permit non-resident owners operating vehicles registered and plated in another state to use Mississippi roads under non-resident exemptions in Title 63.
Missouri
Missouri allows vehicles owned by non-residents and properly registered in their home jurisdiction to be operated in Missouri without Missouri registration for defined periods, under the state’s non-resident and reciprocity statutes in Chapter 301.
Montana
Montana is your home base: it titles and registers your Quadricycle as a motor vehicle (Quadricycle) to your Montana LLC. Once that title and registration are issued, they are the public records that every other state must honor under the Full Faith and Credit principles described above.
Nebraska
Nebraska’s motor-vehicle chapter includes specific non-resident and reciprocity provisions. Section 60-366 addresses “Nonresident owner; registration; when; reciprocity; avoidance of proper registration…” and related sections cover non-resident applicability.
Nevada
Nevada’s NRS § 482.385 is directly on point: “Registration of vehicle of nonresident owner not required; exceptions…”, laying out when a non-resident vehicle can operate in Nevada without Nevada registration, as long as it is properly registered elsewhere.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire allows non-resident vehicles duly registered in another jurisdiction to be operated in New Hampshire for certain periods under its motor-vehicle statutes in RSA Chapter 261, which include provisions for non-resident vehicles and reciprocity.
New Jersey
New Jersey grants “touring privileges” to non-resident vehicles. A non-resident whose vehicle is properly registered in another jurisdiction may operate that vehicle in New Jersey without New Jersey registration (N.J. Stat. § 39:3-15 and related touring-privilege provisions).
New Mexico
New Mexico’s motor-vehicle code, in Chapters 66-3 and related sections, recognizes non-resident vehicles registered in other jurisdictions and allows them to operate on New Mexico highways under reciprocity.
New York
New York’s Vehicle & Traffic Law § 250 exempts vehicles owned by non-residents from New York registration when they are duly registered in the owner’s home jurisdiction, subject to specific exceptions for certain commercial uses.
North Carolina
North Carolina recognizes non-resident vehicles properly registered in another U.S. state, allowing them to operate in North Carolina without local registration for defined periods, under non-resident and reciprocity provisions in Chapter 20.
North Dakota
North Dakota allows vehicles owned by non-residents and registered in another jurisdiction to be operated within the state under reciprocity provisions in Title 39 of the North Dakota Century Code.
Ohio
Ohio’s Revised Code includes provisions that exempt non-resident, properly registered out-of-state vehicles from Ohio registration requirements for defined periods, consistent with reciprocity in Chapter 4503.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s statutes recognize non-resident vehicles duly registered in another state, allowing them to operate in Oklahoma under reciprocity provisions in Title 47 relating to registration of out-of-state vehicles.
Oregon
Oregon provides that non-resident vehicles registered in another jurisdiction may be operated in Oregon without local registration for certain timeframes, under reciprocity and non-resident provisions in ORS Chapter 803.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is very explicit: 75 Pa.C.S. § 1303 – “Vehicles of nonresidents exempt from registration” says that a non-resident owner of a foreign vehicle may operate it in Pennsylvania without registering it in Pennsylvania, as long as it is duly registered and compliant in the owner’s home jurisdiction, and not used in specific excluded ways.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s motor-vehicle laws allow non-resident vehicles that are duly registered elsewhere to operate within Rhode Island for certain periods, based on registration and reciprocity provisions in Title 31.
South Carolina
South Carolina recognizes non-resident vehicles registered in another jurisdiction and allows them to operate in the state under non-resident and reciprocity provisions in Title 56, as long as they display valid home-state plates.
South Dakota
South Dakota’s codified laws provide reciprocity and non-resident exemptions for vehicles registered in another jurisdiction and owned by non-residents, enabling operation within South Dakota without local registration for defined periods (see Title 32).
Tennessee
Tennessee’s § 55-4-120 creates a limited exemption from registration for non-resident owners whose vehicles are registered elsewhere; § 55-4-121 authorizes reciprocal agreements regarding non-resident vehicles. Together they let duly registered out-of-state vehicles operate in Tennessee under their home-state plates.
Texas
Texas recognizes non-resident vehicles registered in another state and allows them to operate on Texas highways under its non-resident / reciprocity provisions in the Transportation Code, especially in the sections dealing with out-of-state registration and the International Registration Plan.
Utah
Utah’s motor-vehicle statutes allow non-resident vehicles duly registered elsewhere to be operated in Utah for limited periods without Utah registration, under its registration and reciprocity provisions in Title 41.
Vermont
Vermont recognizes vehicles owned by non-residents and registered out-of-state, permitting them to operate in Vermont under their home-state registrations in accordance with reciprocity provisions in Title 23.
Virginia
Virginia’s motor-vehicle laws, including local examples such as non-resident exemptions from local vehicle taxes, show that vehicles owned by non-residents and registered elsewhere are allowed to operate in Virginia, consistent with reciprocity principles in Title 46.2.
Washington
Washington expressly declares a policy of reciprocal or proportional registration with other jurisdictions and provides non-resident exemptions. RCW 46.16A.160 and Chapter 46.85 RCW describe non-resident exemptions and reciprocity, allowing properly registered out-of-state vehicles to use Washington roads.
West Virginia
West Virginia’s motor-vehicle code allows non-resident vehicles, duly registered in another jurisdiction, to be operated on its highways for limited periods, relying on reciprocity and non-resident exemptions in Chapter 17A.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Wis. Stat. § 341.40(1) exempts from Wisconsin registration any vehicle that is registered in another jurisdiction, owned by a non-resident, and covered by reciprocity — as long as it displays its valid home-state plate.
Wyoming
Wyoming’s statutes provide registration exemptions and reciprocity for non-resident vehicles duly registered elsewhere, enabling them to operate in Wyoming under their home-state registrations, as reflected in legislation dealing with “vehicle registration exemptions” and reciprocity.
3. How this ties back to your Montana-registered Quadricycle
In every state above, the pattern is the same:
- Montana has already decided that your Quadricycle, owned by your Montana LLC, is a legal, titled, registered motor vehicle and has issued a valid registration and plate.
- Your Montana LLC is a non-resident owner in every other state.
- Each state’s non-resident / reciprocity provisions recognize vehicles that are:
- Owned by non-residents, and
- Properly registered and plated in another state.
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Your Montana-registered Quadricycle fits neatly inside that framework, which is why it can be driven in your home state with its Montana plate, subject to all the usual rules (insurance, traffic laws, etc.) that apply to every motorist.
4. Why so many owners choose MontanaTags.com
To make this straightforward and compliant, many owners prefer not to DIY the legal and paperwork side.
MontanaTags.com is:
- One of the leading Montana LLC and registration agencies in the country, especially for Quadricycles, side-by-sides, high-end cars, RVs and coaches.
- A core driver of the street-legal movement nationwide — continually helping owners lawfully structure Montana LLC ownership and registration.
- An active supporter of the industry, sponsoring events, funding lobbying efforts, and promoting street-legal equality for these vehicles across the U.S.
If you want your vehicle correctly set up, titled, and registered through a Montana LLC — in a way that fits cleanly within the federal and state reciprocity rules summarized above — MontanaTags.com is an excellent choice to handle the entire process for you.
*This is a general educational overview, not individualized legal advice. For a formal, state-specific legal opinion on your exact situation, you should consult a licensed attorney in your home state who can review your documents and local statutes in detail.