For the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), modernizing motor carrier services meant creating a more efficient, connected experience for carriers and staff alike.

The effort began in 2014, when the MDT launched a competitive procurement process to replace a legacy commercial vehicle system and bring multiple functions into a single platform. The department ultimately partnered with i3 Verticals, kicking off a long-term modernization initiative that led to the launch of the Electronic Permitting, Audit, Registration and Tax (ePART) system in May 2016.

The web-based platform integrated key motor carrier functions—including the International Registration Plan, International Fuel Tax Agreement, and audit and document management—into a unified environment. Before ePART, those functions were spread across multiple outdated systems, making processes fragmented and inefficient for staff and customers, says Jeannie Lake, commercial vehicle operations bureau chief for MDT’s Motor Carrier Services Division.

Today, the platform supports multiple MDT divisions and serves as a central hub for licensing, registration, financial processing and auditing. “It’s very user-friendly, and our staff really likes it,” Lake says. “Our carriers also think it’s very easy to use. Change can be daunting, but once carriers realized they could complete transactions online in minutes instead of hours, they embraced it.”

Stoney Hale, executive vice president of transportation at i3 Verticals, says the partnership has evolved continuously as business needs and regulations have changed. “It’s not really just a one-time project,” Hale says. “It’s a maturing platform that continues to evolve and deliver value.”

“Engage stakeholders early, invest in testing and training, and focus on improving processes rather than just recreating existing workflows in a new system.”
Stoney Hale, Executive Vice President of Transportation, i3 Verticals

Over the years, MDT and i3 Verticals have collaborated on enhancements, new integrations, workflow improvements and expanded online services for motor carriers. Lake notes that i3 Verticals has been particularly responsive when the state identifies opportunities for improvement.

“If there’s a problem that needs to be fixed, they’re right on it,” she says. “We’re always looking for ways to improve, and they’ve been very responsive in helping us make things happen.”

Hale believes that responsiveness is a key reason the partnership has remained strong, sharing that MDT has also been very involved and proactive in the process. “A successful modernization effort depends on collaboration, continuous improvement and a shared commitment to long-term success,” he says.

Recent discussions have focused on expanding online self-service capabilities, automating additional workflows and simplifying document submission processes for carriers.

Hale believes one of the project’s biggest lessons is the importance of treating modernization as a business transformation effort. “Engage stakeholders early, invest in testing and training, and focus on improving processes rather than just recreating existing workflows in a new system,” he says.