What you need to know about Montana driver licenses
Montana issues driver licenses through the Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division. You can get a license in person at any of Montana's 18 regional offices, and the process takes about 30 minutes if you bring the right documents. Montana also offers a mail-in renewal option for people whose licenses are not expired more than five years, which takes about two weeks from the time the office receives your process.
The type of license you get depends on what you plan to drive. A standard Class D license covers regular passenger vehicles. If you want to drive a motorcycle, you need a motorcycle endorsement added to your license. Commercial licenses (Class A, B, or C) require additional testing and are for people who drive trucks or buses for work.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person for your first license, bringing a birth certificate or passport, proof of Montana residency, and your Social Security number.
- Montana charges $85 for an eight-year Class D license, and you will take a written test, vision test, and photo at the office.
- If your license is not expired more than five years, you can renew by mail without visiting an office, which costs $50 and takes about two weeks.
- Motorcycle endorsements require a separate skills test on an actual motorcycle, which you can schedule at the same office where you explore for your license.
Getting your first Montana driver license in person
You must explore in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Bring your original birth certificate or U.S. passport, a document showing your Montana address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works), and your Social Security number. You will also need to bring a completed process for Driver License or Permit form, which you can fill out at the office or read from the Montana Department of Justice website before you go.
At the office, you will take a written test on Montana traffic laws, pass a vision screening, and have your photo taken. The written test has 33 questions, and you need to answer at least 27 correctly. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at no extra cost. The whole visit usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. The license costs $85 and is valid for eight years.
If you are under 18, you will receive a graduated license with restrictions on when and where you can drive. These restrictions lift when you turn 18 or after you hold the license for one year, whichever comes first.
Renewing your Montana license by mail
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew by mail without visiting an office. read the process for Driver License or Permit form from the Montana Department of Justice website, fill it out, and mail it along with your expired license and a check or money order for $50 to the Motor Vehicle Division office in Helena.
Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the office receives your process. You will receive your new license in the mail. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must explore in person at an office instead.
Getting a motorcycle endorsement
To ride a motorcycle in Montana, you need a motorcycle endorsement on your driver license. You can add this endorsement when you first get your license or add it to an existing license. The endorsement costs $10 and requires you to pass a motorcycle skills test on an actual motorcycle.
The skills test takes place at a Motor Vehicle Division office and lasts about 20 minutes. You must bring your own motorcycle or arrange to use one at the office. The test checks your ability to start, stop, turn, and maneuver the bike safely. You also take a written test on motorcycle-specific traffic laws. If you fail either test, you can retake it within 30 days at no extra cost.
Some riders take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course instead of the skills test. If you complete an MSF course, you can bring your completion certificate to the Motor Vehicle Division office and skip the skills test. The endorsement still costs $10.
Montana Motor Vehicle Division office locations and hours
Montana has 18 Motor Vehicle Division offices spread across the state. The main office is in Helena at 303 North Roberts Street. Other major offices are in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, and Butte. Each office keeps different hours, and some are open only certain days of the week.
Before you visit, check the Montana Department of Justice website to find the office nearest you and confirm its hours. Some offices accept walk-ins, while others require you to schedule an appointment. During busy times, wait times can be long, so arriving early in the day or mid-week usually means shorter waits.
What to do if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your license is lost or stolen, visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person and bring your birth certificate or passport and proof of Montana residency. You will pay $10 for a replacement license. The office will issue you a temporary paper license on the spot, and your new plastic license will arrive in the mail within two weeks.
If your license is damaged but still readable, you can mail it to the Motor Vehicle Division with a $10 replacement fee and a note explaining the damage. If the damage makes the license unreadable, you must visit an office in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Montana driver license if I do not have a birth certificate?
Yes. A U.S. passport, passport card, or state ID from another state works as proof of identity. If you do not have any of these, contact the Motor Vehicle Division office to ask what other documents they will accept. You may need to bring additional paperwork.
What happens if I fail the written test?
You can retake the test the same day at no extra cost. You have three chances to pass within 12 months. If you fail all three times, you must wait one month before you can take the test again.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew by mail?
No. When you renew by mail, your photo from your old license is used on your new one. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at an office instead.
How much does a Montana driver license cost?
A standard Class D license costs $85 for eight years. Renewal by mail costs $50. A motorcycle endorsement costs $10. A replacement for a lost or damaged license costs $10.
Can I drive in other states with a Montana license?
Yes. Montana licenses are recognized in all other U.S. states. However, if you move to another state, you must get a license from that state within the time frame it requires, which varies by state.