Renewing a Montana driver license
The steps in plain English. Each one links to the Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) page it came from. Last checked Nov 15, 2026.
Watch for the renewal notice MVD sends 120 to 30 days before expiration.
Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Renew between 6 months before and 1 year after your license expires.
Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Renew online or by mail if your last renewal was in person and nothing on the license is changing.
Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Otherwise renew in person at a driver's examination station, where your eyesight is tested.
Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Pay $5 for each year of the new license term.
Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Check before you go: requirements and fees change, and some depend on your age or situation. The official page is the final word.
Related facts
- License term
- Up to 12 years, ending no later than the 75th birthday; licenses issued at 75 or older last up to 4 years.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- When you can renew
- From 6 months before until 1 year after the expiration date.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- Renewing online or by mail
- Allowed, but not two renewals in a row, not if expired over 1 year, and not with a name, address or birth-date change.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- Term of an online/mail renewal
- 12 years for a standard license, 8 years for a REAL ID license.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- Checks at renewal
- MVD runs a driving-record check and tests your eyesight when you renew.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- Renewal notice
- Sent between 120 and 30 days before the license expires.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
More in the Montana guide
Official Montana links
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