How to get a driver's license in Montana

How it works

• Who does what

  In Montana, the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Montana Department of Justice handles driver licensing. At an MVD driver exam station you present your documents, pay the licensing fees and take your tests. The MVD publishes the Montana Driver Manual, a study guide to the rules of the road, in English and also in Spanish, Arabic, Dari and Swahili.

  Source: [1] [17] [20]

• The basic license

  A Class D basic (non-commercial) license lets you drive any non-commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

  Source: [1]

• Two paths

  Drivers under 18 follow Montana’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) program: a learner permit, then a first-year restricted license, then a license with full privileges. Drivers 18 and older have to pass the written, vision and road tests and provide the required documents.

  Source: [1] [3] [5]

• One license at a time

  You may have only one valid driver license, issued by any licensing jurisdiction, at any time.

  Source: [1]

• Online services

  The MVD’s online services include appointment scheduling and pre-applying for a license, permit or state ID. The link to them is in the list of links on this page.

  Source: [8]

Under 18: from permit to license

1. The three steps

   Montana’s graduated driver licensing law is a three-step program for new drivers under 18. The program includes an instruction permit, a first-year restricted license and a full-privilege driver license.

   Source: [1] [3]

2. Step 1: the learner permit

   You can get a non-commercial learner permit (NCLP) at 14½ if you are taking or have completed a state-approved traffic education program. Students in such a program who have met the attendance and testing requirements are issued a permit by the instructor. Online and third-party traffic education courses are not approved. For the age at which you can get a permit without a traffic education course, check the MVD’s page for drivers under 18, which is in the list of links on this page.

   Source: [1] [3]

3. Getting the permit at a driver exam station

   If your permit is not issued by your traffic education instructor, you get it at a driver exam station. There you present your documents (identification, authorized presence and proof of Montana residence), pay the licensing fees, and pass the written test and the vision test. If you are under 18, a parent, guardian or responsible adult must sign a consent form before testing begins. By signing, that adult accepts financial responsibility for any damage from your driving. When you book the appointment, say that it is for a regular written exam. The permit is valid for up to one year.

   Source: [1] [3]

4. Driving with a permit

   With a learner permit you drive only under supervision. Your licensed parent or legal guardian may supervise you. The Driver Manual and the MVD’s page for drivers under 18 describe the other people who may supervise you in different words, so check with the MVD before anyone else supervises you.

   Source: [1] [3]

5. Before the next step

   Before you can apply for the first-year restricted license you must hold the permit for a minimum period; the MVD’s page for drivers under 18 gives the details. You also have to:

   • Complete 50 hours of supervised driving with an adult, including 10 hours at night.
   • Have the parent, legal guardian or responsible adult log the driving hours. The MVD offers a Teen Driving Log.
   • Have no traffic violations or alcohol or drug offenses in the six months before you advance to the first-year restricted license.

   Source: [1] [3] [18]

6. Step 2: the first-year restricted license

   When you have satisfied Step 1, you apply for the first-year restricted license at an MVD driver license station. You must bring all required documentation again, even if you gave it before. Bring:

   • Proof of identity, proof of residency and proof of authorized presence.
   • Your valid permit.
   • Your driving log, either a hard copy or a digital version on an electronic device.
   • A completed Graduated Driver Licensing Parent/Legal Guardian Certification (form 21-1600).
   • Proof of current registration for the vehicle you will use for the drive test.
   • Proof of insurance for that vehicle, either a physical insurance card or a digital version.

   Source: [3]

7. The drive test

   You schedule an appointment for a regular drive test. You must complete and pass the drive test. After you pass, you are issued a driver license with a restriction code on the front and back. Step 3 below says when the restrictions end.

   Source: [3]

8. Step 3: the full-privilege license

   The restrictions of the first-year restricted license end automatically on the date shown on the back of the license, or when you turn 18, whichever comes first. After that, your license has full privileges.

   Source: [3]

Rules for young drivers

• Seat belts

  With the first-year restricted license, everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.

  Source: [3]

• Night driving

  With the first-year restricted license, you may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with some exceptions. The exceptions include emergencies, farm-related activities, travel to and from school, church or work, and specific parent-authorized purposes.

  Source: [3]

• Passengers

  With the first-year restricted license, unless a licensed driver 18 or older is supervising, you may have only one unrelated passenger under 18 in the vehicle during the first six months. During the second six months, the limit is three unrelated passengers under 18.

  Source: [3]

• Penalties for breaking the restrictions

  A first offense against a restriction of the first-year restricted license means between 20 and 60 hours of community service. A second offense means suspension of the teen’s driver license for six months.

  Source: [3]

• Drivers under 21 and alcohol

  A driver under 21 who operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02% or more faces a 90-day suspension on a first conviction.

  Source: [16]

• License ends at 21

  A license issued to a driver under 21 expires on the 21st birthday.

  Source: [1]

Age 18 and older

• The tests and documents

  If you are 18 or older, you must pass the written, vision and road tests and provide the required documents. At your appointment to take the written test, you need to provide proof of identity, proof of residency and proof of authorized presence. You must pass the written test before you can take your driving test.

  Source: [5]

• Who can qualify

  A person found by a court to be mentally incompetent, alcoholic or a habitual user of illegal drugs cannot qualify for a license. You cannot apply for, be issued, or keep a Montana license if you are suspended or revoked in any other state or jurisdiction.

  Source: [1]

• Health and vision

  A driver’s health or vision may require evaluation by a physician before a license is issued or renewed. If a medical condition or a change in your vision could affect safe driving, submit a completed Driver Medical Evaluation (form 20-1900) and/or Eye Evaluation (form 22-1801) signed by your physician or provider.

  Source: [4] [20]

Moving to Montana

New Resident Guide →

• Start within 60 days

  If you move to Montana with a valid out-of-state license, you must start the application for a Montana non-commercial license within 60 days of moving. You may use your license from your previous state for up to 60 consecutive days. After that you must surrender it and qualify for a Montana license. An out-of-state commercial license must be transferred within 30 days.

  Source: [1] [4]

• Avoiding the tests

  If you hold a valid out-of-state basic driver license and have it with you, you may exchange it for a Montana driver license without a written or road test. To avoid testing, bring a hard copy of your valid out-of-state license and apply in person. Applicants who may lack the functional ability to drive safely may be required to complete written and road tests.

  Source: [1] [4]

• What to bring

  Bring your valid out-of-state license and your Social Security number. For a new-resident driver license you also need one document that shows your physical address (a PO Box is not accepted) and one document that shows you are a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to be in the U.S.

  Source: [4]

• Reciprocity

  Montana has active reciprocity agreements with Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. Taiwanese and Korean nationals living in Montana may transfer their valid driver license without knowledge or skills testing.

  Source: [2]

• Military

  Active-duty military personnel and their dependents may keep a valid out-of-state license and drive in Montana unless they become gainfully employed. An active-duty service member with a Montana license may apply for a military exemption, which keeps that license valid up to 90 days after honorable discharge. A license with the military exemption may be renewed at any time during ongoing military service.

  Source: [1] [14]

Documents to bring

• Three kinds of proof

  Most services require hard-copy documents for proof of identity, proof of authorized presence and proof of Montana residency. The MVD scans a copy of your original documents and gives the originals back to you. The Required Documents page and the Bring With Me checklist, both in the list of links on this page, give the full lists.

  Source: [6] [8] [19]

• Proof of identity

  Proof of identity needs two documents: either two primary documents, or one primary and one secondary document. A valid, unexpired passport issued by the U.S. Department of State is a primary document. An original U.S. Social Security card is a secondary document.

  Source: [6]

• Your name, birth date and Social Security number

  The name and birth date on your application must match the primary document you provide and are checked with the Social Security Administration. You need to know your Social Security number. If your name or date of birth does not match the Social Security record, your application is denied.

  Source: [1] [2] [6] [12]

• Proof of authorized presence

  You need proof of authorized presence if you are a new applicant or a new resident transferring a license. A birth certificate must be an original or certified copy issued by a government agency, not by the hospital. For foreign nationals, authorized presence is verified using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, and a license for a foreign national whose presence is temporarily authorized expires no later than the expiration date of the document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

  Source: [1] [6] [19]

• Proof of Montana residence

  For a standard (non-REAL ID) license you must provide proof of Montana residence. If you do not receive mail at your residence, you must also provide a mailing address or PO Box. Accepted documents include:

  • A current automobile or life insurance policy or statement.
  • The original of a rental agreement or rent payment receipt signed by the landlord or rental agent, with your name and residential address.
  • A payroll check or stub, a bank statement or a utility bill, dated or issued not more than four months before you apply. For a REAL ID the residence documents may instead be unexpired or dated within one year (see the REAL ID section).
  • A written statement from a parent, guardian, responsible adult or adult child who lives at the same address, with a document showing that person’s address.

  Source: [1] [5] [6] [7]

REAL ID

• What it is

  Montana does not require residents to have a REAL ID. Since May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant license or ID or another acceptable form of identification is required to fly domestically and to enter federal facilities. A passport or passport card is an approved alternative. REAL ID works only for travel within the United States, so you still need a passport for international travel. A REAL ID license or ID card is marked in the upper right-hand corner.

  Source: [7] [8]

• Getting a REAL ID

  A REAL ID does not transfer from state to state, so all applicants must provide the required documentation. You can get a REAL ID at any time, not only when you renew, with an in-person visit, a new photo, an application and your documents. Adding a REAL ID costs an additional fee; see the licensing fees page. Temporary paper credentials are not REAL ID compliant. Montana allows only one credential at a time: a driver license or an ID card, REAL ID or standard.

  Source: [7] [8]

• Proof of Montana residency

  To prove Montana residency you provide two documents that show your Montana address. Both documents must show your name and current physical address (a PO Box is not accepted) and be either unexpired or dated within one year.

  Source: [7]

• Social Security number and name changes

  You need to know your Social Security number so it can be verified at your appointment, and the name on file with the Social Security Administration must match your current legal name. If your current legal name does not match your documents, you must prove all legal name changes. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not accepted, and neither are church-issued marriage certificates.

  Source: [7]

• Other points

  Minors do not need a REAL ID to fly if accompanied by an adult, but they may still apply. If you cannot provide a required document, you can ask for exceptions processing: you complete a form, give a good reason for the exception, and provide additional or alternative documentation, all for MVD approval.

  Source: [7]

At the driver exam station

• Appointments and pre-applying

  The MVD’s online services include appointment scheduling; the link is in the list of links on this page. Online pre-apply lets you fill in the required information before you go.

  Source: [5] [8]

• Forms

  Form 11-1400, the Class D Driver License or ID Card Application, is used at in-person appointments when you apply for a standard Montana driver license or ID card, and you may fill it out before you arrive. Most MVD forms must be printed, filled out manually and delivered or mailed, and cannot be submitted online unless the form says so.

  Source: [17]

• Station locations and hours

  The locations and hours of the driver license exam stations are on the MVD’s Driver License Exam Stations page, which is in the list of links on this page.

  Source: [1]

• Fees

  You pay the licensing fees when you apply, and you pay for a license at an MVD driver license station. The amounts change, so use the licensing fees page in the list of links on this page.

  Source: [1]

The tests

• Which tests you take

  To get a Class D license for the first time you need to pass the vision, written and road tests. You may not have to test if you hold a valid license from another jurisdiction.

  Source: [1]

• The written test

  To prepare for the written test, study the Montana Driver Manual. You must pass the written test before you are eligible to take your driving test. A learner permit is issued when you pass the primary written test for the license type.

  Source: [1] [5]

• The vision test

  Montana requires that you pass a vision test before you get a driver license. The test measures that you have at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. If a change in your vision could affect safe driving, an Eye Evaluation form (22-1801), completed by an eye specialist, gives the MVD the information to verify that you meet Montana vision standards.

  Source: [1] [4] [20]

• The road test

  For the driving test you need:

  • Your current learner permit.
  • Proof of current registration for the vehicle you use for the test.
  • Proof of insurance, either a physical insurance card or a digital version from an electronic device, such as a smart phone.
  • A vehicle without mechanical issues: no cracks in the windshield, and working taillights, brake lights and turn signals.

  Source: [5]

• Your license receipt and attempts

  A driver license receipt is valid for one year. For those testing, the receipt allows three attempts within that year to pass all required examinations. Receipts are not renewable. If you do not complete the licensing process within one year, you need to re-apply and start the process over.

  Source: [1]

After you pass

• Carry your license and insurance

  You must always have a valid Montana driver license in your possession. It is mandatory to have and carry evidence of vehicle liability insurance on the vehicle you are driving.

  Source: [1]

• Mobile ID

  Anyone with a valid credential and a qualifying mobile device can add a Mobile ID to a digital wallet free of charge. Keep your physical license or ID, because not all places accept Mobile IDs.

  Source: [15]

Keeping your license

• Renewing

  You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. A license can still be renewed up to one year after it expires, without retesting, but your driving privilege ends at midnight on the expiration date. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must reapply as a new driver. The ways to renew, and who may use each one, are on the MVD’s Renew License / ID page, in the list of links on this page.

  Source: [1] [9]

• A temporary license when you renew in person

  If you renew in person, you are given a temporary license that is valid for 90 days. The new license arrives in about 2 to 4 weeks.

  Source: [9]

• Replacing a lost or stolen license

  If your license is lost or destroyed, you can replace it online, at a driver exam station, or by mail with form 21-2000. If you lost it within six months of its expiration date, you may be eligible to renew instead. The MVD recommends reporting a stolen license or ID card to local law enforcement.

  Source: [1] [10]

• Changing your address

  You must report a change of address to the MVD Driver Services Bureau within 10 days. One way to update the address on file is to mail the Change of Driver License Address - Electronic Record form (34-0300); there is no fee for updating your electronic record. Updating the address can also be done online through the MVD’s online services. If you want the new address on your photo ID, go to a Montana driver license station for a replacement ID card; a fee applies to the replacement, so see the licensing fees page.

  Source: [1] [11]

• Changing your name

  Your name must be changed with the Social Security Administration before you change it on your driver license; the MVD’s pages do not give the same waiting time between the two, so check with the MVD before you go. You request the name change in person at an MVD driver exam station. A name change must be supported by a certified copy of a marriage certificate, a court decree or judgment granting a name change, a divorce decree, or a USCIS certificate of naturalization. A full legal name on a license may not exceed 28 characters, including up to three commas.

  Source: [1] [6] [8] [12]

• Suspension and revocation

  A license is a privilege. It can be suspended, revoked or cancelled under Montana law when the driver breaks the law.

  Source: [1] [16]

Montana ID card

• Getting an ID card

  A Montana ID card needs an in-person visit to an MVD driver exam station; mail-in processes are not available. You need proof of identity, proof of authorized presence and proof of Montana residency.

  Source: [13]

• One credential only

  Montana residents may only have one credential: a driver license or a state ID card. A Montana resident who has a valid driver license from any jurisdiction other than Montana is not eligible for a Montana ID card.

  Source: [1] [8]

Official links

• Montana MVD: New driver license (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: New drivers under 18 (Graduated Driver Licensing) (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Drivers new to Montana (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: New drivers 18 and over (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Required documents (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: REAL ID (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Renew a license or ID (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Replace a license or ID (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Change of address (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Changing your name (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: ID card (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Frequently asked questions (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Licensing fees (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Forms and manuals for driver licensing (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Driver license exam stations and hours (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Bring With Me checklist (form 20-0055, PDF) (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Graduated Driver Licensing Certification (form 21-1600, PDF) (mvdmt.gov)
• Montana MVD: Online services and appointment scheduling (cars.dojmt.gov)

Sources

1. Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024; file of 2026-05-18; printed page = PDF page - 10) (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
2. New Driver License hub page (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
3. New Drivers Under 18 (Graduated Driver Licensing) (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
4. Drivers New to Montana (out-of-state transfer) (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
5. New Drivers 18+ (adult driver license) (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
6. Required Documents (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
7. REAL ID (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
8. FAQs (REAL ID, Payment, Online Services, Driver License sections used) (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
9. Renew License / ID (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
10. Replace License / ID (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
11. Address Change (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
12. Changing Your Name (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
13. ID Card (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
14. Driver License - Active Duty Military (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
15. Mobile ID (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
16. Suspensions and Revocations (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
17. Forms & Manuals: Driver Licensing (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
18. Graduated Driver Licensing Certification (form 21-1600, 11/23) (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
19. Bring With Me Checklist (form 20-0055, 11/23) (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division
20. Eye Evaluation (form 22-1801, 11/23) (mvdmt.gov) — Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division