Driver Licensing

You may apply for a driver's license at any driver exam station, regardless of where in Montana you live. The state laws governing driver licensing are found in the Driver's Licenses chapter of the Montana Code Annotated. Please be prepared to pay for your license with cash or by check, since credit cards are not accepted.

Information on commercial driver licenses, including endorsements and renewals, is available on the Commercial Driver Licensing page.

Manual

Drivers need to be familiar with the Montana Driver License Manual. The Office of Public Instruction makes an adapted/illustrated version of the Montana Driver's Manual available.

New Drivers

Individuals wishing to obtain a Montana driver's license must:

• provide parental consent and complete the graduated driver licensing process if they are under 18
• pass written, vision and driving tests
• provide proof of identity
• provide proof of Montana residency
• provide proof of authorized presence

Learner's License

• allows an individual who has paid the $5-per-year license fees and passed the vision and written tests to operate a vehicle when accompanied by a driver who has a valid license of the same class and type as that of the vehicle being driven
• valid for up to six months from the date fees are paid

Individuals with a learner's license from another state can drive in Montana for 120 days with a licensed driver.

Graduated Driver Licensing

Montana's graduated driver licensing law creates a three-step program that allows new drivers under the age of 18 years to safely develop and improve their driving skills. Each step progressively increases the privileges and responsibilities of a new driver in an effort to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes involving minors.

Step 1: Permit Period

• Age and Permits
  • Teenagers may obtain a Traffic Education Learner's License (TELL) as early as age 14½ years old only if they are in a state-approved traffic education program.
  • Teenagers may get a Learner's License from a driver exam station if they meet all of the following criteria:
    • are 15 years old and successfully complete a state-approved traffic education program, or are 16 years or older
    • pass the required driver license tests
    • turn in any other driver licenses
    • have not had a license suspended, revoked or denied in any other state or jurisdiction
    • pass the medical requirements for the type of driver license desired
    • have not been found by a court to be mentally incompetent, alcoholic and/or a habitual user of illegal drugs
• Length of Permit
  • A teenager must hold a permit for a minimum of six consecutive months before applying for a First-Year Restricted License.
  • The permit is valid for up to one year.
• Conditions During Permit Stage
  • Teen drivers must acquire at least 50 hours of supervised driving experience, including 10 hours at night.
  • A driver with a TELL permit must be supervised by a licensed parent or guardian.
  • A driver with a Learner's License must be supervised by a licensed parent or guardian, or a licensed driver age 18 years or older who is authorized by the parent or guardian.
  • Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.
  • The teen driver must not get any traffic violations for alcohol or drug offenses in the six-month period before advancing to Step 2.

Step 2: First-Year Restricted License

When teens have satisfied all Step 1 requirements, they may apply for a First-Year Restricted License at a driver exam station. They must:

• pay the associated fees
• bring all required documents, including the completed Graduated Driver Licensing Parent Certification form

Initially, the driver's license will show a restriction code on the front and back. This restriction remains in effect for one year. During this period, the following restrictions apply:

• Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.
• Teenage drivers may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5 a.m., with some exceptions.
  • These exceptions including emergencies, farm-related activities, travel to and from school, church or work, and specific parent-authorized purposes.
  • Law enforcement officials may contact the parent or guardian of a teen driver to verify the purpose for which the teen is authorized to drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• For the first six months, unless supervised by a licensed driver age 18 or older, a teenage driver may have only one unrelated passenger under age 18 in the vehicle.
• For the second six months, unless supervised by a licensed driver age 18 or older, a teenage driver may have three unrelated passengers under age 18 in the vehicle.

Penalties for Step 2 Violations
Penalties for violating the license restrictions are:

• First Offense – between 20 and 60 hours of community service
• Second Offense – suspension of the teen's driver license for six months

Step 3: Full Privilege Driver License

First-Year Restricted License restrictions automatically end on the date indicated on the back of the driver's license, or when the individual turns 18, whichever occurs first. Once the teenager reaches Step 3, the driver license confers full privileges.

For more information on graduated driver licensing, go to the Traffic Education Program/Driver Education page on the Office of Public Instruction website.

New Residents

Individuals with out-of-state licenses who wish to obtain a Montana driver's license must:

• apply for a Montana driver's license within 60 days of moving to the state if seeking a non-commercial driver's license and within 30 days if they need a commercial license
• provide proof of identity
• provide proof of Montana residency
• provide proof of authorized presence

They also may be required to pass written and driving tests, in addition to a vision test. However, driver examiners may, at their discretion, waive the written and driving tests for individuals who have in their possession a valid license issued by another state.

Military Personnel

• Military personnel on active duty in Montana who have a valid license issued by another state and who are not employed in Montana, except as a member of the armed forces, do not need a Montana driver's license.
• If the spouse of member of the armed forces stationed in Montana gets a job here, the spouse must get a Montana driver's license within 90 days of becoming employed.
• Military personnel who have a valid Montana license when they enter the armed forces may use their Montana license until 30 days after an honorable discharge.
• To obtain a military endorsement or to renew your Montana license, contact a driver exam station or, if you are out of state, e-mail the Motor Vehicle Division at mvd@mt.gov.

Cost and Length of Regular License

The cost of a regular, non-commercial (Class D) license is $40 for an eight-year license ($5 per year), plus the 50-cent fee for mailing the license renewal reminder.

The term or length of your Montana driver's license depends on your age at the time the license is issued or renewed:

• less than 21 years of age – expires on the date of your 21st birthday
• 21 through 67 years of age – valid for eight years. Licenses renewed by mail valid for four years.
• 68 through 74 years of age – expires on the date of your 75th birthday
• 75 years of age and older – valid for four years

Motorcycle Endorsement

A motorcycle endorsement is required to operate motorcycles, motor scooters, three-wheel motorcycles, etc. Exams for a motorcycle endorsement are available by appointment at any driver exam station. However, motorcycle driving tests are not given on wet roads.

Drivers applying for a motorcycle endorsement should be familiar with the Montana Motorcycle Supplement. The endorsement costs 50 cents per year.

Renewals

You may renew your driver's license six months before your birthday. You have three months after your birthday to renew without testing but your driving privilege expires at midnight on your birthday.

Renewal Options

Type of Exam Station	Renewal Options
Full-service driver exam station	You must renew in person.
Rural, limited-service driver exam station	You must renew in person by first paying for your license at the county treasurer's office and getting a pre-paid receipt, which you present to the driver examiner.
If you live a county that does not provide driver license services (Carter, Garfield, Golden Valley, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Madison, Petroleum, Prairie, Treasure and Wibaux)	You may: renew in person at a full-service driver exam station; or renew at a rural station by first paying for your license at the county treasurer's office and getting a pre-paid receipt, which you present to the driver examiner; or renew by mail. However, after renewing by mail, your next renewal must be completed in person at a driver exam station.

Renewing in Person

1. If you do not have your expiring license with you, you must provide proof of identity and, if your name has changed, documentation of name change.
2. Be prepared to pay the $40.50 fee for an eight-year regular, non-commercial (Class D) license with cash or by check. Credit cards are not accepted.
   OR
   In rural locations with limited driver license services, you must bring your pre-paid receipt from the county treasurer's office.
3. You will be given a temporary license and receive your new license in the mail within approximately four to six weeks.

Renewing by Mail – only for residents of counties that do not provide driver license services

If you live in a county that does not provide driver license services—Carter, Garfield, Golden Valley, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Madison, Petroleum, Prairie, Treasure and Wibaux—you may apply for a renewal of a regular Class D Montana driver license through the mail.

Renewals completed by mail are valid for eight years. After renewing by mail, your next renewal must be completed at a driver exam station.

1. For a regular Class D license, complete and sign all three mail renewal application forms:
   • Form 1, Class D Driver License Mail Renewal Application #21-1900(B)
   • Form 2, Medical Evaluation for Driver License Mail Renewal Application #20-1900(B) completed by a physician
   • Form 3, Report of Eye Examination Application #22-1801(B) completed by an optometrist
2. If your name has changed, you must also enclose documentation of name change.
3. Enclose a money order or a photocopy of your pre-paid county receipt (which may be purchased at a county treasurer's office or a driver exam station):
   • $40.50 for a regular eight-year license
   • an additional $4 if you have a motorcycle endorsement and would like to retain it
4. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want the receipt mailed back to you. The receipt acts as a temporary driver license. Your new driver license will be mailed in four to six weeks.
5. Mail the completed packet to:
   Motor Vehicle Division
   Montana Department of Justice
   303 N. Roberts
   P.O. Box 201430
   Helena, MT 59620-1430

Duplicate Licenses

If you lose or misplace your driver's license, you may obtain a duplicate license from any driver exam station. If you are out of state, you may call (406) 444-4590 or e-mail the Motor Vehicle Division at mvd@mt.gov for the appropriate paperwork. You must:

• provide proof of identity
• pay the $10 fee

If your lost license is within six months of its expiration date, you can apply for a renewal instead of a duplicate.

Identification Cards

The Motor Vehicle Division issues identification cards, valid for four years, only to Montana residents. To obtain an ID card, you must:

• provide proof of identity
• provide proof of Montana residency. If you already have a Montana driver's license, the name and address you use must match that on the ID card.
• pay the $8 fee

Identification cards can be obtained at your local driver exam station.