Governor Steve Bullock issued a directive allowing Montanans to renew their driver’s licenses online and by mail and extended the deadline to complete title and registration paperwork. This is an effort to provide essential services without furthering the spread of the coronavirus.
In a press conference April 14, Attorney General Tim Fox and Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Administrator Sarah Garcia provided more details regarding the Directive. Fox said these are temporary measures and will continue to be assessed per state and federal guidelines.
• Class D licenses that expire between March 1 – May 31 will remain valid for an additional 90 days after their expiration date. License holders are encouraged to renew online or through the mail. Visit https://dojmt.gov/driving/onlineservices/ for more information. The renewal will last for two years.
• Standard license holders whose license expires between now and September can utilize the COVID-19 grace period to renew online or by mail saving an in-person trip. Those who renew online or by mail without a medical report will need to self-certify their health to receive a two-year renewal. An eight-year renewal requires a medical report, which can be done by mail.
• Class D driving tests have been suspended until at least April 24 in accordance with Bullock’s Directive. The MVD encourages those needing to schedule a driving test to schedule after June 1.
• Customers can schedule written exams for Class D license through the online appointment scheduler at https://dojmt.gov/driving/onlineservices/. Written skills tests are still being conducted for Commercial driver licenses (CDL) as well.
• CDLs and medical cards were given an extension until June 30 if the card expired on March 1 or later. CDLs can be renewed online or by mail in certain circumstances.
• Those who already have an appointment and are not in the high-risk age groups or immune-compromised are asked to keep their renewal appointment if the office is still allowing in-person appointments.
• Dealerships are granted a 90-day extension from March 16 to submit title and registration paperwork to county offices.
• Vehicle owners also have been given a 90-day extension from March 16 to title and register their vehicle.
• Vehicle registrations can also be renewed online up to 30-days past the expiration date.
• The County Treasurer offices are continuing to offer services online, by phone or by appointment. Visit https://dojmt.gov/driving/mvd-service-updates/ for information by county.
• The deadline for new residents to Montana to title and register their vehicle and secure a Montana drivers license has been extended for 90 days.
• The REAL ID deadline has been extended until Oct. 1, 2021.
“We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our customers and staff,” said Garcia. “The online and mail-in options give MVD another way to minimize exposure to the public and MVD employees.”
“I know this is a significant inconvenience for many but it is really an essential step to limit interactions,” added Fox. “Experts expect Montana to peak sooner than later. It means Montanans have been part of the solution not part of the problem. The more we do now to limit the spread of the disease, the sooner it will pass and the sooner we will get back to normal.”
For more information and for updates visit https://dojmt.gov/driving/ or email mvdcovid19@mt.gov for vehicle and service questions.
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