The Montana Department of Justice announced today that its Motor Vehicle Division is busy rolling out Montana’s newly designed driver license and identification cards. The cards have undergone a complete re-vamping on the look, feel, and design of the card, and also include new security features that will help reduce driver license fraud and identity theft. Additionally, the new cards feature a more durable laminate.

“The Montana Department of Justice’s Motor Vehicle Division is always looking for new ways to enhance the security of our driver license and protect the privacy of citizens’ information,” Attorney General Tim Fox said. “The redesigned license does all of those things. Our staff has invested considerable time into this effort and I am grateful for their hard work on behalf of Montanans.”

The new cards are now available in several driver exam stations across the state, including Missoula, Superior, Great Falls, Choteau, and Fort Benton. They will be available at Helena’s exam station today; Bozeman will start tomorrow, and Billings will begin on Friday. It is anticipated that the remaining locations across Montana will be issuing the new cards by the end of February.

“The 2015 Legislature appropriated funds for updating the three Driver License Bureau computer platforms,” said Motor Vehicle Division Administrator Sarah Garcia. “The antiquated systems were still operating on Microsoft Windows XP software and were in need of replacement. One of these platforms included the driver’s license and identification card. This update included a computer system upgrade and a card redesign. We are working with two separate vendors who are in various stages of implementing the new equipment statewide, station-by-station.”

The design of the new card is representative of the beauty of Montana. The background graphic was based upon a photo taken in Glacier National Park by Donnie Sexton, a photographer with Travel Montana. Some of the embedded optically variable security features found on the new card are also recognizable elements of Montana, including our state flower, our state bird, the word “Montana,” and ponderosa pine trees.

Since November, the Motor Vehicle Division has been reaching out to businesses, law enforcement agencies, and other key stakeholders to inform them of the new license design. That outreach process will continue.

In accordance with a state law passed by the legislature unanimously in 2007, Montana is not compliant with the federal REAL ID Act.

To view an informational brochure about the new card, visit: https://dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/MT_D300_Brochure.pdf