How to Renew Your Driver's License in Montana

It usually costs $62.32 to renew a Montana driver’s license. You can renew in person at a driver license exam station or by mail in certain circumstances.
Written by Sara Brody
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Currently, you can renew your Montana driver’s license by mail or in person depending on your situation. No matter how you renew, you’ll need to pay a $62.32 fee for a 12-year standard license or $67.47 for an eight-year license with REAL ID. It should take 2-6 weeks for your new license to arrive by mail.
Everyone dreads being stuck in line at the DMV, but renewing your license in a timely manner is important. In order to avoid serious fines or even jail time for
driving with an expired license
, read on to learn the ins and outs of driver’s license renewal in Montana.
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When to renew your driver’s license in Montana

You can find the expiration date of your
Montana driver’s license
on the front of the card, under your date of birth and above your license issue date.
In Montana, drivers may renew their licenses starting six months before the expiration date. As driving privileges expire at midnight on the expiration date, be proactive about taking care of this in time.

How to renew your driver’s license in Montana

Most Montana drivers must renew their licenses in person, although some can renew by mail in select circumstances. An online option for certain renewals may soon be available too.

Renew your license by mail

You can renew your license by mail if: 
  • You do not need to change the name or date of birth listed on your current license
  • Your most recent valid license was renewed or issued in person (specifically, Montana prohibits consecutive mail-in or online renewals)
  • Your license expires within 180 days or fewer or has been expired for no more than one year
  • You are not a foreign national residing in the United States
If you do not meet the criteria for a renewal by mail but are also an active military member stationed out-of-state or a military dependent or spouse, you can request a military exemption using
Military Exempt Status Driver License by Mail
(form 34-1303). Bear in mind that this does not extend to military members serving on the National Guard unless the National Guard has been called to federal service.
If you meet the criteria to renew your license by mail, just fill out the
Mail-in Renewal Standard License
form and send it to the following address:
DOJ-MVD
ATTN: Mail-In DL
P.O. Box 201430
Helena, MT 59620-1430
For express mailing, use the physical address in place of the P.O. Box:
DOJ-MVD
ATTN: Mail-In DL
302 North Roberts
Helena, MT 59620
Be sure to include a check for the renewal fee, which is typically $62.32 but can vary based on your age or other factors. A table included on the first page of the form should help you determine the amount you owe.

Renew your license in person

The majority of Montana renewals must be conducted in person. In most cases, you can
schedule an appointment
at a full-service driver license exam station. 
However, if you live in a county that does not provide driver license services, you can renew at a rural, limited-service driver license exam station. This requires first paying for your license at the county treasurer’s office and getting a prepaid receipt, which you can present to the driver examiner.
Either way, you should plan to bring your expiring or expired Montana license. If you no longer have your license, you must provide proof of identity. If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring documentation of the name change, too.
Be prepared to pay $62.32 for a 12-year standard license or $67.47 for an eight-year license with REAL ID. Cash, check, or credit card are all viable payment methods. Your renewal fee may be lower if you’re above the age of 63, or higher if you seek motorcycle endorsement.

How long does it take to renew a Montana driver’s license? 

If you renew your license in person, you will be given a temporary license at the exam station and can expect your new license to arrive by mail within 2-4 weeks
If you renew by mail, you should receive your temporary license within 3-10 days of your application’s arrival at the headquarters, and your permanent license within 2-6 weeks

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FAQs

In Montana, you must renew your license within three months of the expiration date and also pay a late fee if your license has expired by the time of the renewal. After three months, you can no longer renew your license and must start the process from scratch, including retaking your driver’s test.
Montana appears to be developing a service for online license renewals.
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