Driving Tests

Moving to Montana: How to Transfer Your Driver’s License (60-Day Rule)

informational·how to guide·Published July 14, 2026

How long do you have to transfer your driver’s license after moving to Montana?

In Montana, start your license application within 60 days of your move. A commercial driver license (CDL) has 30 days. Apply in person at a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) station, with an appointment. Bring the hard copy of your valid out-of-state license to avoid testing. You pay the fee and pass a vision exam. Ages 21 to 63 pay $62.32.

Where the Montana license transfer facts come from

The 60-day rule, the document list and the appointment come from the MVD page for drivers new to Montana. The residency rule comes from Montana Code Annotated 61-5-103, and the swap, vision exam and record check rules come from section 61-5-110. Other facts come from the MVD pages on required documents, licensing fees, REAL ID and new driver licenses, the MVD FAQ, the Montana Driver Manual (May 2026 file) and Montana Code sections 61-5-104 and 61-5-132. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (mvdmt.gov) before you drive.

Montana license deadlines by driver type

Montana license deadlines by driver type
Who you are	The Montana rule
New resident with an out-of-state license for a car or pickup (non-commercial)	Start your Montana application within 60 days of the move
New resident with an out-of-state Commercial Driver License (CDL)	30 days
Active-duty military in Montana, and the spouse, each with a valid license from another state	Exempt from Montana licensing under the law
Visitor (nonresident) age 15 or older with a valid home license	May drive in Montana, but not a commercial vehicle

What is the Montana 60-day rule for new residents?

The rule applies when you move to Montana and make your permanent home here. Under Montana law, a person who has lived in the state for more than 60 consecutive days is a resident and must have a Montana license before driving. Until then, you can use your valid old license for up to 60 consecutive days. After that, you must surrender it and qualify for a Montana license. For a commercial vehicle, the limit is more than 30 consecutive days. To check what you know, try this free question on how long you may drive on an Idaho license.

How to transfer your out-of-state license to Montana

1
Gather your papers
Get your valid out-of-state license, a proof of authorized presence, your Social Security number and a proof of residency. The full list is in the next section.
2
Pre-apply and schedule an appointment
Find out if you qualify to pre-apply online, and fill out the required information before your visit to save time. You must apply in person at an MVD driver license station. MVD always recommends an appointment. You can book online or call the Customer Care Center at 1 (406) 444-1772.
3
Hand in your old license
Bring the physical card of your valid out-of-state license and hand it in at the station. MVD gives you a vision exam.
4
Pay the fee
MVD takes cash, checks and most major credit cards, in U.S. funds only.
5
Drive only on your Montana license
MVD tells the state that issued your old license that you surrendered it. You may hold only one valid driver license at a time.

Do you have to take a written or road test to switch to a Montana license?

Usually no. Montana law lets MVD swap a license from another state for a Montana license of the same class, type and endorsement. The old license must be valid or expired less than 1 year. You pay the fees and pass a vision exam, with no written or road test. The written, vision and road tests together are for a first license. A CDL holder must also pass any examination that federal rules require.

When can MVD still ask for a test or a medical form?

You have a physical or mental condition that may impair safe driving, and your old license shows no matching adaptive equipment or restriction

MVD may require a knowledge test and a road test before it issues the Montana license.

You want MVD to remove or change a restriction on your old license

MVD may require the knowledge and road tests first.

A medical condition or a change in your vision could affect safe driving

Bring a completed Driver Medical Evaluation (20-1900) and/or Eye Evaluation (20-1801), signed by your physician or provider.

What to bring to the MVD station

Your valid out-of-state license. It is a primary proof of identity. The MVD documents list asks a transfer applicant for two identity documents, so also bring a second one, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate.
One proof of authorized presence (U.S. citizen or legally in the U.S.). A valid, unexpired U.S. passport works.
Your Social Security number. You only need to know the number.
One proof of residency with your physical address. PO Boxes are not accepted. Examples: the original rental agreement or rent receipt signed by the landlord, or a payroll stub, bank statement or utility bill dated within 4 months of your application.
A completed medical or eye form, only if your health or vision could affect safe driving.
For every accepted document, see our guide to Montana driver license documents.

How much does a Montana license transfer cost?

The MVD fee page gives totals that include all admin costs. For ages 21 to 63, a standard license costs $62.32 and runs 12 years. With a REAL ID, the total is $67.47. A license for a driver under 21 runs until age 21: $15.97 at 18, $10.82 at 19 and $5.67 at 20. Fees for ages 64 and older are on the MVD fee page. For a full breakdown by age, see our guide to Montana driver license costs.

Special cases: teens, military and foreign licenses

You are under 18 and have been licensed in another state for at least 6 months

If you surrender a valid license from that state, you skip the 6-month permit, the road test, and the traffic education and 50-hour driving steps. A parent must still certify that you had no traffic, alcohol or drug conviction in the last 6 months and no pending citation.

You are on active duty in Montana with a valid license from another state

Montana law exempts you and your spouse from Montana licensing. The Montana Driver Manual says military personnel and dependents keep the out-of-state license unless they become gainfully employed. If you or your spouse take a job, ask MVD.

You are a Taiwanese or Korean national who lives in Montana, with a valid license from there

Montana has reciprocity agreements with Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. You can transfer the license with no knowledge or skills test. For a license from another country, contact MVD.

Should you get a REAL ID when you transfer?

Montana does not require residents to have a REAL ID. Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID or another acceptable ID, such as a passport or passport card, to fly within the U.S. A REAL ID does not transfer between states, so you must show the REAL ID documents again. You need two proofs of Montana residency instead of one. Each must show your name and current physical address and be unexpired or dated within one year.

Key takeaways

Start your Montana license application within 60 days of moving. A CDL has 30 days.
Apply in person at an MVD station with an appointment, and bring the hard copy of your valid out-of-state license.
A valid license, or one expired less than 1 year, needs the fee and a vision exam, with no written or road test in most cases.
The total fee is $62.32 for ages 21 to 63, or $67.47 with a REAL ID.
Next step: practice on the free Montana Class D practice test.

Moving to Montana: common license questions

Can I keep my old license as an ID after I switch?

Yes. Tell MVD that you want to keep it. MVD puts a distinctive mark on the card that says it is for nondriving use only, and gives it back to you. You can then use it for identification, but you cannot drive on it. Your Montana license is your only valid driver license.

What if I lost my old license or only have a digital copy?

MVD asks you to bring a hard copy of your valid out-of-state license to avoid testing. The Montana Driver Manual allows the exchange without a written or road test when the license is in your immediate possession. Without the card, MVD may ask you to test. Call the Customer Care Center at 1 (406) 444-1772 before your appointment.

My out-of-state license expired. Can I still transfer it?

If it expired less than 1 year ago, Montana law still lets you swap it for the fee and a vision exam. But the MVD identity list asks a transfer applicant for a current, valid license from the old state. Bring two other identity documents, such as a U.S. passport and a certified birth certificate, and call MVD first.

Will Montana check my driving record from my old state?

Yes. Before MVD examines an applicant for a driver license, Montana law tells it to check the applicant’s driving record in two national systems: the national driver register and the commercial driver’s license information system. The law gives this check for every license applicant, not only for commercial drivers.