Montana Driving Record
"I hope youll take the time to enjoy Montanas roadways carefully and legally, whether youre traveling across town or across the state. Have a safe trip." - Mike McGrath, Attorney General
Montana Driver License
Anyone who operates a motor vehicle or motor-driven cycle on public roadways in Montana is required to have a license. It is mandatory to have and maintain proof of vehicle liability insurance on the vehicle being operated.
Montana Driver License Suspensions
The drivers license and the privilege to drive a motor vehicle upon public highways are withdrawn for a specified period. Examples of suspension include:
- Driving under the influence or operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or greater
- First Offense = 6 Months Suspension
- Second or Subsequent Offense = 1 Year Suspension
- Refusal to submit to alcohol testing (implied consent or preliminary alcohol screening test)
- First Refusal = 6 Months Suspension
- Second or Subsequent Refusal = 1 Year Suspension
- Operation of a vehicle by a person under 21 years of age with an alcohol concentration of 0.02% or greater
- First Conviction = 90 Day Suspension
- Second Conviction = 6 Months Suspension
- Third or Subsequent Conviction = 1 Year Suspension
- A commercial driver operating a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.04% or greater
- First Violation Report = 1 Year Suspension (3-year suspension if transporting placardable hazardous materials)
- Second or Subsequent Violation Report = Lifetime Suspension (reinstatement may be considered after 10 years)
- Minor in possession of alcohol (MIP)
- MIP convictions are not recorded on an individuals Montana Driving Record. However, as part of the penalty for an MIP, judges have the authority to order the suspension of an offenders driver license. If a judge sends notice of a license suspension resulting from an MIP conviction, the Motor Vehicle Division will suspend the offenders drivers license for the number of days ordered by the court and permanently record the withdrawal on the offenders driving record
- For the following violations, Montana law and other established rules, regulations and standards mandate that a drivers license will be suspended for varied periods lasting from 30 days to 1 year (or in some cases indefinitely). These violations include, but are not limited to:
- Driver convicted of 3 reckless driving offenses committed within a period of 12 months
- Drivers who use a motor vehicle in the theft of motor vehicle fuel
- Drivers who are medically unable to safely operate a motor vehicle
- Failure to obtain required medical evaluation or submit to testing.
- Fraudulent application for a license to drive
- Falsifying a date of birth on a drivers license application
- Altering a drivers license or identification card to obtain alcohol
- Authorizing another to use your drivers license or identification card to obtain alcohol
- Any unlawful use of a drivers license
- Non-payment of fines or non-appearance on a notice to appear - upon notice from a court, a license will be suspended indefinitely until all conditions of sentencing are met
- Failure to pay child support - a license will be suspended indefinitely until child support obligations are met
- Default on a student loan - a license will be suspended indefinitely until notification is receive by student loan association that the obligations are met
- Unsatisfied judgment - 6 Year Suspension
Montana Driver License Cancellations
A license will be annulled and terminated because a person is no longer entitled to such license. However, upon meeting certain requirements, a person whose license has been cancelled may reapply for another license. Examples of cancellations include:
- The death of person signing minors application
- Fraud, and/or falsifying information on application for a license to drive
- Paying for driver license service with non-sufficient funds check
- Removal of parental consent
- Voluntary surrender of license
- Suspended or revoked in another state
Montana Point System
| Points | Type of Violation |
|---|
| 15 | Deliberate Homicide |
| 12 | Negligent Homicide (Vehicular) |
| 12 | Negligent Vehicular Assault |
| 12 | Felonies (Vehicular) |
| 10 | DUI |
| 10 | BAC of |
| 6 | Driving while suspended or revoked |
| 5 | Reckless Driving - driving with willful & wanton disregard for the safety of persons & property |
| 5 | Drag Racing |
| 5 | Insurance Violations |
| 4 | Hit and Run (Property) |
| 3 | Speeding |
| 2 | No Drivers License |
Additional Montana Resources
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