Motor Vehicle Department

News and Updates

Have a question? For quickest response times, email us at DOJMVDLewis&ClarkCounty@mt.gov.

Our business hours have changed to 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. No title work after 4:30 pm. Appointments are no longer available.

We ask that all title work customers visit our new check-in window upon arrival. Please look for signs in the lobby regarding the check-in window.

Beginning March 12, 2025, we will transition to a new motor vehicle registration system from the State of Montana called CARS. We will be unable to process transactions during the transition. Business hours during the transition are:

March 12: Open 8:00am-12:00pm
March 13: CLOSED
March 14: CLOSED
March 17: Business resumes at 8:00am

Lewis and Clark County is no longer processing Break/Bond Titles. All Break/Bond Titles will now be processed by MVD Vehicle Services Bureau located at 302 North Roberts St, Helena, MT 59601.

We apologize in advance for the wait times. Wait times are dependent on the number of customers ahead of you and the number of titles or personalized plate transactions they may have. Title work and personalized plates take approximately 15-20 minutes per transaction to complete due to system constraints and required information. We will do our best to help customers as quickly as possible but please be aware that wait times can exceed 2 hours during busy times. We expect the transaction times to decrease once the new registration system is in place.

Hours of Operations

The Motor Vehicle Division Office is open Monday - Friday (except Holidays) 8:00am to 5:00pm.
The department is open during the noon hour; however, some windows may be closed due to staffing availability to accommodate lunch breaks.

Title Work Hours: Open 8:00am - 4:30pm. Customers are able to process up to two titles and plate orders per transaction. Customers are helped on a first come first served basis. When you arrive, please see the check in window and take a ticket. Title work is not processed after 4:30pm.

Renewal Line Hours: Open 8:00am - 5:00pm. Please stand in line behind the blue sign.

Address Changes

The Motor Vehicle Department can update your address within our system, but this will not change the address associated with your Driver's License.

Per 61-5-115, MCA, you must notify the Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) within 10 days of any change of address. Address changes to your Montana Driver License must be made through the MVD Driver Services Bureau by filling out a Change of Driver License Address (Electronic Record) form 34-0300 and delivering/ mailing the completed paperwork to the address indicated on the form.

For more information on driver license change of address or other Montana Driver License related forms visit https://mvdmt.gov/address-change/.

Taxes and Fees

Registration costs are based on state established fee schedules and a County option tax. This tax is based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price, depreciated according to the schedule established by law. To access the state fee schedule click below.

State of Montana Fee Schedule

Payment Options

The Lewis and Clark County Motor Vehicle Department accepts cash, personal checks and money orders made out to Lewis and Clark County in the exact amount of your registration. Please do not send cash through the mail. No counter/starter checks are accepted. American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Discover are accepted in the Motor Vehicle Department. The credit card companies assess a card fee of 3% on your transaction cost.