Driver License, ID Fee Waivers Extended
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has announced the Montana Motor Vehicle Division is extending the fee waiver for some renewal and replacement driver license and identification card fees through September. The fee waiver, which was expected to last through July 31, was first announced last month by Knudsen to encourage Montanans to add the new black eagle-in-flight citizenship marker on their credential in honor of America’s 250th birthday.
Since July 1, more than 18,000 Montanans, or 91 percent of customers, added the citizenship marker to their credential. In total, more than 148,000 Montanans have the citizenship marker on their credential.
“Now, more Montanans have the opportunity to update their credentials and get the citizenship marker added to their ID at no cost,” Knudsen said. “We’re giving back to Montana taxpayers. It’s great we could keep this fee waiver going longer.”
“Since we announced the fee waiver, the response across the state has been incredible,” MVD administrator Laurie Bakri said. “We encourage Montanans to take advantage of this opportunity and schedule an appointment with their local MVD today.”
Fees will be waived for Montanans who come into MVD o es looking to add the new citizenship marker to their driver license, REAL ID, and CDL credentials. MVD will waive anywhere from $10.30 and $68.50 per transaction, depending on the type of credential issued.
MVD will be waiving REAL ID replacement and renewal fees. The replacement of a REAL ID typically costs $10.30, that fee will be waived for those adding the citizenship marker, and there is no REAL ID fee associated with a replacement. The cost for a new or renewed driver license with a REAL ID is typically $67.47. Through September, Montanans will pay only $25 for a renewal of their REAL ID to cover the REAL ID fee, which will not be waived for any credential.
Renewal of current Montana driver license and identifi cation cards (even if outside the expiration), except for the REAL ID fee, will also be waived. New or renewing license or identification cards without the citizenship marker credential for visitors on a visa will not be waived. All CDL credential fees, except for the REAL ID fee will be waived.
In 2025, the Montana Legislature passed and the governor signed Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Sen. Theresa Manzella, which required driver licenses and identifications cards to display citizenship status. Subsequently, the Montana Motor Vehicle Division made the addition and launched new driver licenses and IDs. The new credential is more secure, featuring elements to help reduce driver license fraud and identity theft, making it one of the most secure credentials in the nation. Montanans who opt to take advantage of this opportunity to have their fees waived to add the citizenship marker outside of their expiration will receive the new credential.
Knudsen also launched a public service announcement to encourage Montanans to take advantage of the waived fees and add the new citizenship marker to their driver license.
To add the citizenship marker, Montanans may be required to provide additional documentation, including one of the following documents: • Valid U.S. Passport
• Government Certified U.S. Birth Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad Under the direction of Knudsen, MVD launched a new driver services system that decreased appointment times and improved wait times for appointments. In some o es, Montanans can get same-day or nextday appointments. MVD does recommend scheduling an appointment in advance through MVD Online Services.
