Montana driver licenses renew every eight years, and you can do it in person at a local Motor Vehicle Division office or by mail if you meet certain conditions

Montana issues driver licenses valid for eight years from the date of issue. When yours is about to expire, you have two main paths: renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, or renew by mail if you are between 21 and 69 years old, have no medical restrictions, and have not had any violations or suspensions in the past five years. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and requires a visit to your nearest office. The mail route takes longer overall but saves you a trip.

Your renewal notice will arrive in the mail about 60 days before expiration. It includes a form you can use to explore by mail, along with instructions specific to your situation. You do not have to wait for the notice to arrive — you can start the process whenever you want after your license is within one year of expiration.

Key Takeaways

  • Montana driver licenses last eight years, and you can renew by mail if you are 21 to 69, have no medical restrictions, and have had no violations or suspensions in the past five years.
  • In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office requires a current ID, proof of residence, and your Social Security number, and takes about 30 minutes.
  • Mail renewal uses the form in your renewal notice and costs the same as in-person renewal, but takes four to six weeks for processing.
  • If you are over 69, have medical restrictions, or do not meet mail renewal requirements, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test.
  • You can renew up to one year before expiration, so you do not have to wait until the last minute.

What you need for in-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office

Bring your current Montana driver license, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government document showing your name and address dated within the past 60 days. If your address has changed, bring the new proof. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

You will also need to pass a vision test at the office. The test is basic: you read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you can retake it, but if you fail twice, the office will issue a restricted license that requires you to wear corrective lenses while driving.

The fee for an eight-year renewal is $80. Montana accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at all offices. Some offices have longer wait times than others, especially near the end of the month, so consider visiting early in the month if you can.

How to renew by mail

Use the form that arrives in your renewal notice, or read the DL-40 form from the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website. Fill in your name, address, and license number. Sign and date the form. Include a check or money order for $80 made payable to Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Do not send cash through the mail.

Mail the completed form and payment to the address listed on the form or on the Motor Vehicle Division website. Processing takes four to six weeks from the date the office receives your process. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address you provided. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives, even if your current license has expired, as long as your process was received before expiration.

Mail renewal is not available if you are over 69, have medical restrictions on your license, have had any traffic violations or license suspensions in the past five years, or if your license was suspended or revoked. If any of these explore to you, you must renew in person.

Renewing in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office

Find your nearest office on the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website. Offices are located in most county seats and some larger towns. Hours vary by location, but most are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some offices are open one evening per week or on Saturday mornings — check the website for your specific office.

Walk in during office hours with your documents. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations now offer appointment scheduling to reduce wait times. If your office offers appointments, you can book one online or by phone. Bring all required documents in one visit to avoid a second trip.

The staff will verify your identity and address, take a new photo, administer the vision test, and process your renewal. Your new license will be mailed to you within 10 business days. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

What happens if your license has already expired

You can still renew, but you cannot drive legally until your new license arrives. If you need to drive before renewal is complete, you can request a temporary permit at a Motor Vehicle Division office. The temporary permit is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive while your renewal is being processed. You must be in person to request it.

If your license expired more than three years ago, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been. Contact your local Motor Vehicle Division office to find out what is required in your situation.

Changes to your license during renewal

If your address has changed, provide the new proof of residence and the office will update it. If your name has changed, bring the certified document showing the change. If you want to change your organ donor status, you can do that at renewal — the office will ask you during the process.

If you want to add or remove restrictions — such as corrective lenses, hearing aid, or automatic transmission only — you must renew in person. The office will assess whether the restriction still applies. If you have a medical condition that affects your driving, bring documentation from your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Montana license if I live out of state now?

Yes. You can renew by mail if you meet the mail renewal requirements, or you can renew in person when you visit Montana. If you have moved out of state permanently, you should update your address on your Montana license or switch to your new state's license. Contact the Motor Vehicle Division to discuss your situation.

What if I lost my license before it expired?

You need a replacement, not a renewal. A replacement costs $8 and requires a visit to a Motor Vehicle Division office with proof of identity and address. Once you have the replacement, you can renew it at the normal eight-year cycle.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

In-person renewals are mailed within 10 business days. Mail renewals take four to six weeks from the date the office receives your process. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if it has expired, as long as your renewal was submitted before expiration.

Do I have to take the written driving test again?

No. Renewal does not require you to retake the written test unless your license has been expired for more than three years. You will take a vision test at in-person renewal, but not a written test.

What if I fail the vision test?

You can retake it when ready. If you fail twice, the office will issue a license with a restriction requiring you to wear corrective lenses while driving. You can still drive with this restriction.