Montana MVD Waives License Fees in July to Encourage Citizenship Marker Adoption

The Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is offering motorists a patriotic incentive this summer as the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday. On 17 June 2026, Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that the MVD would waive renewal and replacement fees for driver licenses and state identification cards for the entire month of July 2026【514479723492984†screenshot】. The goal is to encourage more Montanans to add the state’s new black‑and‑white eagle‑in‑flight citizenship marker to their credentials, an option created by the 2025 Legislature.

The citizenship marker came from Senate Bill 91, which requires driver licenses and ID cards issued after 1 January 2026 to display an individual's citizenship status. Customers renewing or replacing credentials in July will not have to pay the usual fees, which range from about $10 to nearly $70 depending on license type【514479723492984†screenshot】. Those who opt for a REAL ID upgrade or initial issuance will still pay the $25 cost because federal REAL ID requirements involve additional security and verification procedures. A renewal that normally costs $50.50, for example, will be free of charge if the citizen marker is added, while a combined REAL ID renewal fee drops to $25.

Attorney General Knudsen framed the promotion as a celebration of American citizenship and a response to concerns raised by veterans and law‑enforcement officers about the previous “Not a U.S. citizen” label on state IDs【514479723492984†screenshot】. Replacing that language with an eagle logo, he said, removes stigma while still meeting federal security standards. “It’s a small way we can honor our country and make it easier for Montanans to proudly display their citizenship on their driver license,” he noted【514479723492984†screenshot】. Laurie Bakri, administrator of the MVD, added that waiving the fees removes a financial barrier for families who may otherwise wait until their licenses expire. She expects many people to take advantage of the offer, especially because real‑time upgrades can be completed at any MVD station.

To receive the fee waiver, customers must visit an MVD field office in July 2026 and request the citizenship marker when renewing or replacing their driver license or state ID. Those whose credentials expire after July may still opt to add the marker early and will not be charged the standard replacement fee. The MVD emphasized that it will not waive fees for commercial licenses and that customers still need to bring required documents such as proof of identity and Social Security number.

Montana’s waiver is part of a broader push to raise awareness about the citizenship marker ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial. By removing the cost barrier and celebrating patriotism, state officials hope to see a surge in residents proudly displaying the symbol on their driver licenses and IDs. More information about the program, including which documents to bring and how to schedule an appointment, can be found through the MVD website or by contacting a local MVD office.