Montana driver's license renewal in person or by mail
You can renew your Montana driver's license either in person at a Driver Services office or by mail, depending on your situation and how much time you have. The in-person route takes one visit and a few minutes; the mail route takes two to four weeks but requires no trip. Both cost the same: $35 for an eight-year license. You'll need to decide which works for you based on whether your license is still valid, whether you've changed your address, and whether you want to update your photo.
Montana allows mail renewal only if your current license is still valid and you haven't changed your address in the past four years. If either of those doesn't explore to you, you must renew in person. If you're renewing by mail, you'll send in your current license, a completed form, and a check — and you'll receive your new license in the mail. If you're renewing in person, you'll visit a Driver Services office with your documents, have your photo taken, and walk out with a temporary license the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Mail renewal works only if your current license is valid and you haven't moved in the past four years; otherwise, you must go in person.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services office takes about 15 minutes and costs $35 for an eight-year license.
- Mail renewal takes two to four weeks but requires no office visit; send your current license, the completed form, and a check to the address on the form.
- You'll need your current license, proof of Montana residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and a Social Security number to renew in person.
- Your temporary license is valid when ready after in-person renewal; your mailed license arrives within two to four weeks.
Renewing in person at a Driver Services office
In-person renewal is the fastest way to get a new license. You'll visit any Driver Services office in Montana, bring your documents, have your photo taken, and receive a temporary license you can use right away. The office will mail your permanent license within two weeks. This route is required if your current license has expired, if you've moved in the past four years, or if you want to update your photo or address.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of Montana residency (a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address), and your Social Security number. If you've changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You do not need an appointment; Driver Services offices operate on a walk-in basis, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
The fee is $35 for an eight-year license. You can pay by cash, check, or card at most offices. Once you complete the renewal, you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to your address on file. If you move before your permanent license arrives, contact Driver Services to update your mailing address.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal is the option to choose if your current license is still valid, you haven't moved in the past four years, and you're willing to wait two to four weeks for your new license. You'll mail in your current license, a completed form, and a check — no office visit required. This works well if you live far from a Driver Services office or prefer to handle the renewal at home.
Request the renewal form by calling Driver Services at 406-444-1234 or visiting the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and a check for $35 (made payable to the State of Montana) to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope with your mailing address if you want to be certain of the delivery route.
Your new license will arrive in the mail within two to four weeks. Your current license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue to drive legally during the wait. If your new license doesn't arrive within four weeks, call Driver Services to check the status. Keep your temporary paper license or a copy of your mailed form as proof of renewal if you're stopped by law enforcement before your permanent license arrives.
Documents you need for in-person renewal
For in-person renewal, bring your current Montana driver's license and proof of your current address. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance bill — any official document dated within the past 60 days showing your name and Montana address. A PO box does not count as proof of residency; you must show a physical street address.
You'll also need to provide your Social Security number. If you've changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you're renewing a license you lost or had stolen, you'll need to report it to Driver Services; they can look up the report in their system if you filed one, or you can file a report at the time of renewal.
You do not need to bring your birth certificate, passport, or other identity documents for a standard renewal. Driver Services already has your information on file from your previous license. If you're renewing for the first time in Montana or if your license was issued in another state, you may need additional documents — call ahead to confirm.
Driver Services office locations and hours
Montana has Driver Services offices in most towns and cities. The main office is in Helena, but you can renew at any office in the state — location doesn't matter. Offices are typically open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some locations have different hours. A few offices close for lunch. Call 406-444-1234 or check the Motor Vehicle Division website to find the office nearest you and confirm its hours before you go.
Walk-ins are welcome, but wait times vary. Early morning and mid-week visits tend to be faster than afternoons and Fridays. If you're renewing during a busy time — the end of the month or near a holiday — expect a longer wait. Some offices are busier than others; if your local office has a long line, you can visit a different one instead.
What happens after you renew
If you renewed in person, you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent license will be mailed to your address on file within two weeks. Once it arrives, the temporary license is no longer valid — destroy it or keep it as a record. Your new license is valid for eight years from the date of renewal.
If you renewed by mail, your current license remains valid until your new license arrives in the mail, which takes two to four weeks. Once your new license arrives, your old license is no longer valid. If you need to drive before your new license arrives and you're concerned about proof of renewal, keep a copy of the form you mailed or the confirmation from Driver Services.
If you move after you renew, you do not need to renew your license again — your license is valid at your new address. However, Montana law requires you to notify Driver Services of your address change within 30 days. You can update your address by mail, phone, or in person at any Driver Services office. Call 406-444-1234 to update your address by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Montana license online?
No, Montana does not offer online renewal. You can renew in person at a Driver Services office or by mail. In-person renewal is faster if you need your license quickly; mail renewal takes two to four weeks but requires no office visit.
What if my license has already expired?
You must renew in person if your license has expired. Mail renewal is available only if your current license is still valid. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number to any Driver Services office.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
A new photo is taken automatically during in-person renewal. If you renew by mail, your photo from your current license is used on your new license. If you want a new photo but are renewing by mail, you'll need to renew in person instead.
How long is my Montana license valid after renewal?
Your renewed license is valid for eight years from the date of renewal. Your expiration date will be printed on your new license. You can renew up to one year before your license expires.
What if I move out of Montana after I renew?
Your Montana license remains valid in other states for the full eight-year period. However, if you move to another state and plan to stay there, you'll eventually need to get a license from that state. Montana does not require you to surrender your license when you move.