Motor Vehicle Department

News and Updates

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

Effective January 2, 2025, our business hours have changed to 8:00am to 5:00pm. Appointment scheduling is no longer available. If you have an appointment already scheduled in January, please show up 5-10 minutes prior to your appointment.

Beginning on February 2, 2025, a check in window will be added and operational. We ask that all title work customers visit the check in window upon arrival. Please look for signs in the lobby regarding the check in window.

The Motor Vehicle Department will be closed March 12-14, 2025, so we can transition to the new State of Montana CARS system.

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.

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

Address changes to your Montana Driver License must be made through the Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division 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.

Lewis and Clark County is unable to make these changes during vehicle registration. 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.