Your Montana license, renewal and insurance

Key points

1. A Class D license lets you drive any non commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

   Source: Handbook p. 1

   “A Class D basic driver license allows you to drive any non-commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 1

2. New residents may use a valid license from their old state for up to 60 consecutive days, then must get a Montana license.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “If you have a valid driver license issued by the jurisdiction you moved from, you can use it for up to 60 consecutive days, after which you must surrender it and qualify for a Montana license.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 3

3. A basic Class D license is valid for at most four to eight years and usually expires on your birthday.

   Source: Handbook p. 1

   “A basic driver license (Class D) is valid for a maximum of four to eight years, typically expiring on the holder’s birthday.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 1

4. You may renew up to six months before your license expires.

   Source: Handbook p. 9

   “You may renew your license up to six months before the expiration date of your license.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 9

5. An expired license is not valid for driving, but you can renew within three months after it expires without retesting.

   Source: Handbook p. 9

   “If your license has expired it is not valid for operation of a motor vehicle; however, a renewal may be completed within three months after the expiration without retesting.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 9

6. If your license is more than three months expired, you must apply again as a new driver.

   Source: Handbook p. 9

   “If your license is more than three months expired, you must reapply as a new driver.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 9

7. Tell the Driver Services Bureau about any change of address within 10 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “you must notify the Driver Services Bureau of the Department of Justice within 10 days of any change of address.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 10

8. Liability insurance is mandatory. Owners must carry at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person and $50,000 for two persons in one accident.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “Owners must always have insurance of at least: o o o $25,000 - Bodily Injury or Death of one person in any one accident $50,000 - Bodily Injury or Death of two persons in any one accident”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 47

9. Driving uninsured is a misdemeanor: a $250 to $500 fine, up to 10 days in jail, or both, plus 5 points on your record.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of at least $250, not to exceed $500, or by imprisonment in the county jail for up to 10 days, or both; and, 5 points against your driving record.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 47

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Montana practice test

1. 1. What may a Montana Class D license holder drive?

   1. Any vehicle including tractor trailers
   2. Motorcycles of any size
   3. Any non commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
   4. Only passenger cars
   Show answer

   Any non commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. A Class D basic driver license allows you to drive any non commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Motorcycles need an endorsement, and heavier or commercial vehicles need a commercial class. The Class D license is the standard credential most Montana drivers hold, and it carries the graduated restrictions for new drivers under 18. Fees are listed in the fee section of the manual.

2. 2. How long is Montana's grace period to renew an expired license without retesting?

   1. 30 days
   2. 3 months after expiration, or 90 days after honorable discharge
   3. One year
   4. There is no grace period
   Show answer

   3 months after expiration, or 90 days after honorable discharge. A driver has a grace period of 3 months after the expiration date, or 90 days after honorable discharge from the military, to renew and avoid the penalty of testing. After the grace period the applicant must pass the tests again. Renewals can be done online or by mail with an eye evaluation and medical evaluation form for eligible drivers.

3. 3. What is the minimum liability insurance amount for bodily injury or death of one person in a Montana crash?

   1. $10,000
   2. $25,000
   3. $50,000
   4. $100,000
   Show answer

   $25,000. Montana requires at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident. The $50,000 amount covers bodily injury or death of two people, while $20,000 applies to property damage. Match the dollar figure to the type and number of losses, because the three minimum coverage amounts describe different parts of the required liability policy. Keep those categories separate when reviewing insurance documents.

Source: the Montana Driver Manual, Chapter 1: The Driver License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.