How to replace your Montana driver's license
You can replace a lost or stolen Montana driver's license in person at any Montana Motor Vehicle Division office, or by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and costs $10 for a standard replacement. The mail route takes two to three weeks and requires you to send your completed form, payment, and a copy of your ID to the Helena office.
Montana does not issue temporary licenses while you wait, so if you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you will need to carry a copy of your police report (if stolen) or a written statement explaining the loss. Law enforcement may accept this as proof of your license status, though acceptance varies by officer.
Key Takeaways
- In-person replacement at any Motor Vehicle Division office costs $10 and takes about 30 minutes; mail replacement costs $10 and takes two to three weeks.
- You will need to bring a current ID (passport, tribal ID, or military ID) and proof of your Social Security number to replace in person.
- If your license was stolen, bring a copy of the police report; if lost, bring a written statement of the loss.
- Montana Motor Vehicle Division offices are located in Helena, Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Butte, plus satellite offices in smaller towns.
- You cannot replace your license by mail if it is currently suspended or revoked; you must go in person and resolve the suspension first.
What you need to bring for in-person replacement
Bring one current form of ID: a U.S. passport, passport card, tribal ID, military ID, or state ID from another state. You will also need proof of your Social Security number — a Social Security card, W-2, tax return, or 1099 form all work.
If your license was stolen, bring a copy of the police report. If it was lost, bring a brief written statement describing when and where you last had it. Montana does not require a notarized statement, but the Motor Vehicle Division staff may ask you to sign a statement on site.
Bring your payment: $10 cash, check, or debit card. Most offices accept all three, but call ahead to confirm your local office's payment methods.
Where to go and how long it takes
The main Motor Vehicle Division office is in Helena at 1615 11th Avenue. Satellite offices are in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Butte. Smaller towns have part-time satellite locations; check the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website for hours and locations near you.
Walk-in service is available at all offices, but wait times vary. Helena and Billings offices typically see longer lines during lunch hours and late afternoon. Missoula, Great Falls, and Butte offices usually have shorter waits. Call your local office before you go if you want an estimate of current wait time.
The entire process — check-in, photo, payment, and receiving your temporary receipt — usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. Your physical license will arrive by mail in five to seven business days.
Replacing your license by mail
You can mail in your replacement request if your license is not suspended or revoked. read form MV10 (process for Duplicate License) from the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website, or call 406-444-3933 to request a form by mail.
Fill out the form completely, including your name, date of birth, and current address. Attach a copy of one form of ID (passport, military ID, or state ID from another state) and proof of your Social Security number. Include a check or money order for $10 made payable to "Montana Motor Vehicle Division."
Mail everything to: Montana Motor Vehicle Division, 1615 11th Avenue, Helena, MT 59620. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date they receive your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address you provided on the form.
Do not use the mail route if your license is suspended or revoked — you must resolve the suspension in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office before you can receive a replacement.
If your license was stolen versus lost
If your license was stolen, file a police report with your local police department or sheriff's office before you go to the Motor Vehicle Division. Bring a copy of the report with you. Some people worry this will cause problems, but Montana Motor Vehicle Division staff are accustomed to processing stolen license replacements and will not delay your replacement because of the theft.
If your license was lost, you do not need a police report. A written statement — even a few sentences on a piece of paper — is sufficient. The Motor Vehicle Division may ask you to sign a statement on site confirming the loss.
Either way, the replacement process and cost are identical. The only difference is the documentation you bring.
What happens while you wait for your new license
When you replace your license in person, the Motor Vehicle Division will give you a temporary receipt showing your new license number. This receipt is not a valid driver's license, but some law enforcement officers will accept it as proof that you have a valid license on file if you are stopped while driving.
Acceptance of the temporary receipt varies by officer and by jurisdiction. To be safest, carry the receipt along with a copy of your police report (if stolen) or your written statement (if lost). If you are stopped, explain that your license was lost or stolen and show both documents.
If you replaced by mail, you will not have a temporary receipt. You should not drive until your new license arrives, unless you have a copy of a police report or written statement and are willing to explain the situation to an officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a replacement license the same day?
No. In-person replacement gives you a temporary receipt the same day, but your physical license arrives by mail in five to seven business days. Montana does not issue same-day licenses or temporary licenses you can use to drive when ready.
What if I do not have a passport or military ID?
A state ID from another state works. If you do not have any of these, contact your local Motor Vehicle Division office — they can tell you what other documents they accept as proof of identity. Some offices accept certified birth certificates or school IDs in limited cases.
Do I need to take a new photo for my replacement license?
Yes, if you replace in person. The Motor Vehicle Division will take a new photo at the office. If you replace by mail, they will use the photo from your original license.
What if my address has changed since my original license?
Tell the Motor Vehicle Division staff your new address when you replace in person, or write it clearly on form MV10 if you replace by mail. Your new license will show your current address at no extra cost.
Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?
No. Your replacement license is mailed to the address you provide, so only you (or whoever lives at that address and opens the mail) will receive it. You cannot have it mailed to someone else's address or picked up by a third party.