Montana Motor Vehicle Division is Making Some Big Changes

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - This week, Montana’s Motor Vehicle Division rolled out a new driver services system as well as new online systems to drastically reduce the time spent at MVD locations.

KGVO News spoke to Laurie Bakri, MVD Administrator about the changes that she hopes will resonate with Montana drivers.

The Montana MVD is Hoping these Changes will Resonate with Montanans

“We are rolling out a new system that will decrease the amount of time that it takes you to get a license,” began Bakri. “Currently, we're working on an antiquated system that average time for an appointment is about 27 minutes. And the new system that we're rolling to is going to decrease your appointment time to about 10 minutes or less. If it's a replacement license or something like that, it could be even less time.”

Those (like this reporter) who have spent the better part of a morning or afternoon waiting for their turn for a vision or a driving test, will spend much less time getting a new license.

There will be Improvements saving Missoula Drivers Time

“The examiner right now can take about 12 to 15 customers in a day, but we're going to move that up to about 30 to 35 customers a day,” she said. “So the first thing you won't have to do is to wait for an appointment. Then once you get that appointment, it'll be quick. And there won't be a lot of redundant activities and things like that. We're really excited to provide Montanans with a service that they should expect and that they deserve.”

The Acronym is CARS 'Credentialing and Registration System'

Bakri said the new system has the appropriate acronym ‘CARS’.

“It’s called ‘CARS’, the Credentialing and Registration System,” she said. “In 11 days, we're going to roll out the driver’s portion which is the credentialing side, and then in March of 2025, we're going to roll out the title and registration part of the program. So when you go to get your plates and renew your registration, there will be a new system for them as well.”

Bakri said there will be multiple locations in each community that will be utilizing the new CARS system, including the main MVD office on Palmer Street, MVD Express at 2704 Brooks, Suite B, and their new partner in the CARS program Triple A of Montana.