Montana Traffic Violations

Traffic violations in Montana are offenses related to the operation of a motor vehicle. Offenses are defined collectively as misdemeanors, felonies, and minor infractions, depending upon their severity. To avoid costly fines and legal issues, Montana drivers should understand what counts as a traffic violation, the most common types of offenses, how penalties and license points are applied, and how to check their official driving records.

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in Montana?

Title 61 of the Montana Code Annotated sets out most of the laws that define traffic violations in Montana. Whether it involves disobeying traffic control signals or driving without a valid insurance, any breach of this title is considered a violation. Additionally, a driver can be issued a citation for minor offenses such as modest speeding, and heavier penalties for more serious offenses.

Types of Traffic Violations in Montana

Drivers in Montana can be penalized for moving traffic violations, including, but not limited to:

• Running stop signs: In accordance with Montana Code Annotated Section 61-8-344, a driver is obligated to come to a complete stop at a designated stop sign before entering the crosswalk, stop line, or intersection.
• Speeding: Section 61-8-303 requires drivers to operate their vehicles at speed limits approved in the state. According to this section, drivers are expected to maintain a limit of 25 mph in urban areas, 65-80 mph on interstate highways, and 55 mph on other roads at night.
• Driving without insurance: It is important for all motor vehicles used on public roads to have liability insurance that meets Montana’s minimum coverage requirements per Section 61-6-301.
• Reckless driving: Reckless driving is a traffic offense under Section 61-8-301, especially if it involves operating a vehicle with wanton disregard for the safety of other road users.
• Hit-and-run/leaving the scene: It is considered a serious traffic offense and a violation of Section 61-7-105 for a driver to leave the scene of an accident without providing their information or helping those involved in the accident.
• Failure to yield/right-of-way errors: A driver commits a moving violation and endangers others according to Section 61-8-341 if they fail to yield right-of-way at intersections or to pedestrians.
• Distracted driving: Montana does not have a statewide law that bans the act of texting while driving as of 2025. Nonetheless, several cities like Bozeman, Whitefish, and Billings prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving.

Traffic Violation Penalties in Montana

In Montana, the type of penalty issued for a traffic offense varies based on the violation and the driver’s history:

Whether speeding counts as a violation depends on both the posted limit and the road or environmental conditions. It is expected to consider both situations while driving to avoid sanctions. For instance, a driver traveling 55 mph on a road with a posted speed limit of 55 mph can still be cited if the road is icy or slick. Because school and work zones have reduced speed limits to protect workers and students, it is regarded as a serious moving violation to speed in those areas.

Accumulating too many traffic violation points in Montana can result in license suspension or revocation, counseling, and testing requirements. If a driver acquires 6 points within 18 months, they will be required to attend a driver counseling session or retake the license exam. Moreover, a driver who earns 15 points in 36 months will have their license suspended by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) for six months.

Although participating in a traffic school is not mandatory for all traffic violations in Montana, the courts may order first-time offenders to take a safety course for certain minor offenses. It should be noted that the successful completion of a defensive driving class does not remove points from a Montana driving record.

Under Montana law, traffic violations do not have any direct effect on insurance but can indirectly raise costs and affect coverage. A hike in an insurance policy can be due to the ability of the insurance company to use an individual’s driving record to assess risks.

Based on the Montana DUI Quick Reference Manual, Montana applies a 10-year lookback for second DUI offenses. For the third or subsequent offense, all prior convictions are counted toward future charges regardless of when they occurred.

How to Search for Traffic-Violation Records in Montana

To look up Montana traffic violation records, you can either consult court case records or request an MVD driving record:

1. Court case records
   • District Courts Public Access Portal: You can find a traffic violation record through this portal by selecting the appropriate court and searching by the driver’s name, case number, or citation number.
   • Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Portal: Most traffic cases are handled in the Justice and Municipal Courts in Montana. If the record is public, you will be able to view the violation type, filing date, and case status.
2. MVD driving record (lifetime history)

You may request an MVD driving record online and pay the associated fees with a valid credit card. If you are purchasing records as a business, it is important to complete a registered user agreement stating that the record will be used only for the permitted purpose by contacting mtsupport@vitu.com. Afterward, you can conduct your search through the driver history record service website.

Another alternative is to complete Form 34-0100 with the necessary information and mail it along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and the associated fees in cash, money order, or check to Motor Vehicle Division, P.O. Box 201430, Helena, MT 59602-1430. The MVD charges $4.12 per record and $3.09 for mailing unless a self-addressed, stamped envelope is included.

The basic content of a Montana driving record includes motor vehicle accident history, driver license sanctions, conviction history, licensing information, and personal history details.

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record?

Although the points tied to a conviction can remain on record for three years, the conviction itself remains for a lifetime.

Insurance companies cannot use points older than three years to increase premiums but can do so if there is a recent and serious offense on a driver’s record.

In Montana, a 10-year lookback period is applied when handling a second DUI offense, while lifetime lookbacks are considered for the third or subsequent offense.