Montana driver's license
Get your first license in Montana after moving to the US.
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Montana and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
A first license
An adult pays $62.32, or $67.47 with REAL ID. Under 21 the license runs until you turn 21 and costs less — at 18 it is $15.97, or $41.72 with REAL ID.
$5 for each year, or part of a year, the license is valid. This rate does not cover commercial licenses.
You pay this when you apply.
If you just arrived in the US
Foreign documents with no expiry date
The dates printed on your foreign card do not decide anything. You must present proof of identity, pass a vision test, and provide a fully certified driving record — with an English translation of any document not in English — and that certified record is what shows your license is current.
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
Your Social Security number is kept confidential. It can be used where federal or state law allows, and shared with the state department of public health and human services to administer Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
The name and birth date on your application must match what the Social Security Administration has on file. Your document is checked with the Social Security Administration to protect you against fraud.
The application asks for your complete Social Security number, but no document proving it. The MVD verifies the number with the Social Security Administration and keeps it confidential.
Your Social Security number will not be used as your driver's license number.
The application must include your Social Security number.
Tests you take
Eye test
Required as part of the examination.
Drive test
A road or skills test is part of the exam: you must show ordinary and reasonable control of the vehicle and operate it safely, unless a waiver applies.
Tries you get on the written test
The written test is given no more than once per day. If you fail, you can take it again the next day.
If you fail, you cannot sit the test again the same day; the next attempt is allowed on the next day the exam station is open. There is no extra fee per attempt, and no cap on attempts beyond a separate six-month limit.
What to bring to the drive test
The car and its insurance
Bring a current learner's permit, the vehicle's current registration, and proof of insurance — a physical card or a digital version on your phone. The vehicle must have no mechanical issues: no cracks in the windshield, and working taillights, brake lights, and turn signals.
The vehicle needs current registration, proof of insurance (a physical card or a digital version on your phone), no windshield cracks, and working taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. You also certify that it represents the class and type of license you want.
You take the test in a vehicle you certify is representative of the class and type of license or endorsement you want.
Where to go
Who gives the tests
An examiner from the department gives the test in any county of the state, as long as the exam is scheduled through the department in advance.
Booking an appointment
You can book an appointment at cars.dojmt.gov.
Other states
U
Every source, quoted17 sources
Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
“The following fees include all admin costs and apply to Standard Driver Licenses and Learner Licenses without a Motorcycle Endorsement. Age (Years)Length of LicenseLicense Only TotalWith REAL ID Total 14.5 to 15until 21$36.57 $62.32 15until 21$31.42 $57.17 16until 21$26.27 $52.02 17until 21$21.12 $46.87 18until 21$15.97 $41.72 19until 21$10.82 $36.57 20until 21$5.67 $31.42 21 to 6312$62.32 $67.47 6411$57.17 $67.47 6510$52.02 $67.47 669$46.87 $67.47 678$41.72 $67.47 687$36.57 $62.32 696$31.42 $57.17 705$26.27 $52.02 714$21.12 $46.87 723$15.97 $41.72 732$10.82 $36.57 741$5.67 $31.42 75 or older4$21.12 $46.87”
mvdmt.gov/licensing-feesChecked August 4, 2026
“driver's license, except a commercial driver's license -- $5 a year or fraction of a year;”
“Still, applicants must present proof of identity that confirms the applicant complies with the laws and regulations set forth by MVD or NPA, pass a vision test, and provide a fully certified driving record. Additionally, MVD requires applicants provide a translation of any documents into English.”
“The department shall keep the applicant's social security number from this source confidential, except that the number may be used for purposes of subtitle VI of Title 49 of the U.S.C. or as otherwise permitted by state law administered by the department and may be provided to the department of public health and human services for use in administering Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.”
“The name and birth date on your application for a driver license must match what the Social Security Administration has on file. The document will be checked with the Social Security Administration. This is to help protect you against fraud.”
mvdmt.gov/new-driver-licenseChecked August 4, 2026
“[(3) The department shall keep the applicant's social security number from this source confidential, except that the number may be used for purposes of subtitle VI of Title 49 of the U.S.C. or as otherwise permitted by state law administered by the department and may be provided to the department of public health and human services for use in administering Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.]”
“The department may not use the licensee's social security number as the distinguishing number.”
“Each application must include the full legal name, date of birth, sex, as defined in 1-1-201, residence address of the applicant [and the applicant's social security number]”
“The examination must include a test of the applicant's eyesight”
“except as provided in 61-5-118 , a road test or a skills test demonstrating the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the safe operation of a motor vehicle or motorcycle.”
“A written examination may not be given to an applicant more than once in each day. A road test may not be given more than once in every seven days.”
“A written examination may not be given to an applicant more than once in each day.”
“Current learner's permit. Proof of current registration for the vehicle being used 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, functional taillights, brake lights, and turn signals.”
mvdmt.gov/new-driver-license/adult-driver-licenseChecked August 4, 2026
“Proof of current registration for the vehicle being used 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, functional taillights, brake lights, and turn signals.”
mvdmt.gov/new-driver-license/adult-driver-licenseChecked July 31, 2026
“The road test or skills test must be performed by the applicant in a motor vehicle that the applicant certifies is representative of the class and type of motor vehicle for which the applicant is seeking a license or endorsement.”
“The department shall provide an examiner to administer a commercial driver's license or motor vehicle driver's license examination in any county of the state if the examination is previously scheduled through the department.”
“https://cars.dojmt.gov/”
mvdmt.gov/new-driver-license/adult-driver-licenseChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Montana?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.