History of DMV

Montana's Motor Vehicle Division is one of nine divisions within the State's Department of Justice and is comprised of three bureaus: Field Operations; Records and Driver Control; and, Title and Registration.

Originally, many of the Motor Vehicle Division's current tasks were handled by the State Highway Patrol. But, when its focus began centering more on law enforcement, the Driver License Bureau was created in 1948 to adminster driving tests. In 1979, this bureau became part of the Motor Vehicle Division, where it is now known as the Field Operations Bureau.

• Motor Vehicle Division

• Department of Justice

• Scott Hart Building, Second Floor

• 303 North Roberts

• P.O. Box 201430

• Helena, Montana 59620-1430

• (406) 444-1772

• mvd@mt.gov

Field Operations Bureau

Overseeing the issuing and testing of regular, commercial, and motorcycle licenses comprises the main focus of this department. In addition, it also processes identification cards, conducts vehicle identification number (VIN) inspections, and delves into registration frauds.

• Field Operations Bureau

• Scott Hart Building, Second Floor

• 303 North Roberts

• P.O. Box 201430

• Helena, Montana 59620-1430

• (406) 444-3292

Records and Driver Control Bureau

This department is all about keeping drivers and passengers safe. To successfully do so, some of its tasks include:

• supplying more than 400,000 driver records to authorized agencies.

• keeping track of more than 1.5 million driver records.

• annually suspending or cancelling more than 22,000 driver licenses due to violations.

• Records and Driver Control Bureau

• Scott Hart Building, Second Floor

• 303 North Roberts

• P.O. Box 201430

• Helena, Montana 59620-1430

• (406) 444-3288

Title and Registration Bureau

Based in Deer Lodge, this wing dispenses titles, registers vehicles, and assists law enforcement officials with odometer fraud and vehicle theft. Some of its annual numbers include:

• filing more than 2.5 million vehicle records.

• filing or releasing more than 280,000 liens on vehicles.

• producing more than 540,000 titles.

• Title and Registration Bureau

• 1003 Buckskin Drive

• Deer Lodge, MT 59722

• (406) 846-6000

• mvdtitleinfo@mt.gov