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Renewing Your CDL in Montana
Things to Know Before Renewing
When a CDL Expires
Montana CDLs expire at different rates depending on the driver's age:
- Ages 21-70: Expire every 5 years
- Age 71 or 75: Expires in 4 years
- Age 18 or 72: Expires in 3 years
- Age 19 or 73: Expires in 2 years
- Age 20 or 74: Expires in 1 year.
The fee paid depends on your age and whether you'll add a motorcycle endorsement or are an interstate trucker.
New Federal Requirements Starting June 1, 2012
When you renew, you must self-certify your type of vehicle operation with the Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) by January 2014. This means you must self-certify one of the following driving categories:
- Non-Excepted Interstate
- Excepted Interstate
- Non-Excepted Intrastate
- Excepted Intrastate
If you are subject to medical examiner's certificate (MEC) requirements, you must provide a new copy of your MEC to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) before your current medical certificate expires. You can submit by faxing to (406) 444-1987. Or by mailing it to:
- Motor Vehicle Division
- Attn: CDL Help Desk
- P.O. Box 201430
- Helena, MT 59620-1430
The MVD will notify you if required.
In Person
Most people must renew in person. If your county lacks driver license services, you are allowed to renew by mail. You can do this at any time, starting six months before your birthday. If you wait on renewing, your driving privileges will be suspended at midnight on your birthday. You will then have a three-month window to renew without having to go through the hassle of testing again.
If you have changed your name since obtaining your current license, you will be required to provide full documentation of name change.
When renewing in person be sure you have your expiring license with you. If you don't, you will be asked to provide proof of identity.
Renewing by Mail
To qualify for the convenience of renewing by mail you must reside in a county that does not offer license services such as Garfield, Golden Valley, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Madison, Petroleum, Prairie, Treasure and Wibaux counties.
The lone exception to this is if you carry a hazardous materials endorsement. To maintain this endorsement, you are required to pass a hazardous materials knowledge test, have your fingerprints taken, and complete a separate TSA HAZPRINT security application. You can either complete this application online through the Transportation Security Administration or by calling the TSA Agent's office at (877) 429-7746.
When submitting be sure to include:
- A completed In-State Commercial Driver License Mail Renewal Application (Form #21-1901 A).
- A photocopy of your Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card.
- A completed Report of Eye Examination Application (Form #22-1801 B).
- A money order or a photocopy of your pre-paid county receipt, proving you either paid $50.50 for a Type 1 renewal or $43 for a Type 2 renewal.
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope if you need the receipt returned to you. This is good to have for it will serve as a temporary license until your new CDL is mailed to you four to six weeks later.
Mail to:
- Montana Department of Justice
- Division of Motor Vehicles
- 303 North Roberts
- P.O. Box 201430
- Helena, Montana 59620-1430
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