Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a certified driver’s record online?
Residents of Montana who need to obtain a copy of their driving record can do that online, by mail or in person at a local Montana DMV office. However, the online driving record is not a certified copy, but a simple PDF file. If you want to obtain a certified driving record, you must visit your local Montana DMV office in person.

For more information: Your Montana Driving Record

Do I need to attend traffic school if I get a speeding ticket?
In Montana, residents who have received and need to pay a speeding ticket, do not have to attend traffic school except in the case when a court order requires them to. However, if you complete a traffic school program, the Montana DMV will neither dismiss your traffic ticket nor will it reduce the number of demerit points in Your Montana Driving Record.

The positive aspect of completing the traffic course is the fact that you will become a better operator of any motor vehicle and that the chances of committing traffic violations and causing accidents will be reduced to minimal.

For more information: Traffic/Driving Schools in Montana

How can I pay for my traffic or parking ticket?
In Montana, you can pay or dispute traffic ticket fines online, by mail or in person at a local Montana DMV office, depending on the Montana court and the handling of your ticket. If you need to get instructions from the court that handles your ticket, you can contact the Montana DMV or the Traffic Court.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Montana

How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?
Montana residents who believe that someone has illegally accessed their driving record, can file a complaint against the offending party under the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (FDPPA). Anybody who obtains personal information from a driving record without permission is chargeable for illegal access to the information. Having this in mind, the individual whose information was accessed may bring a civil lawsuit against the offending party. In order to file a complaint, you must first contact the Montana DMV at the following address:

Motor Vehicle Division

302 N Roberts, Third Floor, Scott Hart Bldg

PO Box 201430, Helena, MT 59620-1430

For more information: Your Montana Driving Record

How do I get a copy of my driving record?
Drivers in Montana who want to obtain a copy of their driving record, can request it in online, by mail, or in person. To get your driving record, you can visit your local Montana DMV office in person, submit a Release of Driving Records form and a payment of the required $4 fee. However, if you want to check your driving record immediately, you can always do that electronically by visiting the DMV website and paying a $7.25 fee for each record. Additionally, you can have your driving record mailed to you, by completing a Release of Driving Records, paying a $4 fee and sending the documents to the following address:

Motor Vehicle Division

302 N Roberts, Third Floor, Scott Hart Bldg PO Box 201430, Helena, MT 59620-1430

For more information: Your Montana Driving Record

How do I get a traffic ticket dismissed?
Montana residents who have received traffic ticket fines can fight their tickets by showing up at court on the assigned date on their ticket and claiming that they are not guilty. The charges may be dismissed in court if the information is vague or incorrect. You might even consider consulting a traffic ticket attorney, to help you evaluate the validity of the ticket and to get information on whether the ticket might be dismissed in court or not.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Montana

How do I obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record?
Under the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act, there are only certain individuals and organizations with a permission to access a Montana’s driving record. Below are listed those organizations:
  • Federal, state or local government agencies
  • Insurance companies
  • Towing companies
  • Private investigators or security services
  • Employers or agents
  • Law enforcement of Montana
  • Parent needing the driving record of a child under 18 years old

Individuals or businesses in Montana, can obtain someone else’s driving record online, by mail or in person, by completing the following steps:

  1. Register at the official Department of Justice website
  2. Sign a Restricted Use Agreement for Records to agree that you will use the information only for allowed purpose
  3. Access the Driver History Records Service in order to begin your search
  4. Submit a payment of $7.25 fee for each record

For more information: Your Montana Driving Record

How do I reinstate my license if I refused to submit a breath/urine/blood test?
Montana’s law of implied consent gives a full right to any officer to test you of the BAC percentage while driving. If you refuse to submit to the chemical alcohol test, you will face a drivers license suspension and there will be no possibility of obtaining a restricted probationary license. The duration of the drivers license suspension varies depending on the number of the offenses you have committed:
  • First refusal: Six-month drivers license suspension
  • Second or any subsequent refusal in the following five years: One-year drivers license suspension

In order to reinstate your driver’s license, you will have to satisfy the requirements of the suspension, after which you can visit a local Montana DMV office and file an application for suspended drivers license reinstatement.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana

How do I remove points from my driver’s license?
In Montana, you won’t be able to remove points from your driver’s license in the following three years of having received them, but the DMV advises you to take traffic course at a traffic school in order to improve yourself as a better vehicle operator and to reduce the chances of committing traffic violations and causing accidents.

However, points on your drivers license may be reduced and your driving record may be eventually cleared, only if you remain free of any additional violations in the following three years.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Montana

How many points can I get on my driving record before my driver’s license is suspended?
In Montana, demerit points are added to your driving record when you receive a traffic ticket for any violation committed. If you get a conviction of three reckless driving offenses during a one-year period, you will have your driver’s license suspended. Each reckless driving brings you five demerit points on your driving record. You should make sure not to commit any violations that will increase your number of demerit points in order to avoid having your driver’s license suspended.

For more information: Montana Motor Vehicle Division Point System

How many times can I attend a traffic school course to remove points from my driving record?
In Montana, you have demerit points added to your driving record for any violation committed and for every traffic ticket you have received. You should try not to commit any violations that will increase your number of demerit points. You can take a defensive traffic school course if you want to start improving your driving abilities and to understand the state laws, which will convert you into a safer driver.

For more information: Traffic/Driving Schools in Montana

If I lost my traffic or parking ticket, how can I find the information again?
Montana residents who have lost their traffic ticket should contact the court that handles their ticket as soon as possible in order to find the information again and to submit a payment before the deadline.

To find the necessary ticket and contact the court that handles the ticket, you must visit the Traffic Court website and find the information you need. If you fail to find the information on time, you might miss the deadline which may cause you to be subject to late fees and your license might be suspended.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Montana

If my driver’s license was confiscated at the time of my DUI/DWI arrest, how do I get it back?
Residents of Montana, who have had their driver’s license confiscated due to a DUI/DWI arrest, need to apply for a driver’s license reinstatement at a local Montana DMV office after the period of suspension or revocation has passed. Upon visiting the Montana DMV, you will have to:
  • Retake the diving tests all over again.
  • Prove that you have completed an alcohol program.
  • Pay the reinstatement fee.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana

What are the different types of driving records?
In Montana, there is a Montana Driving Record from the Montana Motor Vehicle Division, which can be obtained, online, by mail or in person. This Montana driving record shows information of your driving history and includes the following information:
  • Suspensions
  • Violations
  • Driving status
  • Points
  • Fines
  • Violation codes
  • License classification
  • Endorsements

For more information: Your Montana Driving Record

What are the penalties of being convicted of driving under the influence?
Montana residents pulled over by law enforcement officers and found with a BAC above the legal alcohol limit will get a DUI or DWI citation. Penalties for DUI/DWI convictions vary according to the number of offenses committed and include the following:
  • First offense:
    • Jail time from 24 hours to six months
    • A fine from $300 to $1,000
    • A six-month driver’s license suspension for refusing to submit to a chemical test or driving with BAC over the legal limit
    • Ignition interlock device (IID) requirement
  • Second offense:
    • Jail time from seven days to one year
    • A fine from $600 to $1,000
    • A one-year driver’s license suspension for refusing to submit to a chemical test or driving with BAC over the legal limit
    • Ignition interlock device (IID) requirement
  • Third offense:
    • Jail time from 30 days to one year
    • A fine from $1,000 to $5,000
    • A one-year driver’s license suspension for refusing to submit to a chemical test or driving with BAC over the legal limit

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana

What happens if I get traffic ticket fines and I have a CDL?
If you have a Montana commercial driver’s license (CDL) and you got a traffic ticket, you might face very strict fines and penalties. The state of Montana may decide to suspend your driving privileges for one year if it is first conviction, or place restrictions against your CDL depending on the offense you have committed. Any second or subsequent conviction will result in having your license suspended for life. CDL drivers should report the traffic fines to their employer within 30 days of the day they got a conviction for a traffic violation.

For more information: Suspended License Information for Montana

What information does a driving record contain?
The Montana Driving Record from the Montana Motor Vehicle Division shows information of your driving history and can be obtained online, by mail or in person. This driving record includes the following information:
  • Suspensions
  • Violations
  • Driving status
  • Points
  • Fines
  • Violation codes
  • License classification
  • Endorsements

For more information: Your Montana Driving Record

What is considered the legal alcohol limit?
What is the cost of a DUI?
In Montana, the cost of a DUI citation depends on the number of offenses the driver has committed:
  • First offense: $300 to $1,000
  • Second offense: $600 to $1,000
  • Third offense: $1,000 to $5,000

Apart from the payment of a fine, a driver might also get a jail time from 24 hours to one year.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana

What is the cost of a traffic ticket?
Montana divides the violations according to the motion of the vehicle into moving and non-moving violations. No matter whether the traffic ticket is for moving or non-moving violation, the fines range from $20 to $1,000. More serious offenses might face you with higher traffic ticket fines or even imprisonment.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Montana

What is the cost to get a driver record?
Montana residents, who want to obtain their driving record, can do that online, by mail or in person at a local Montana DMV office. The cost of obtaining your driving record varies according to the way you request a driving record. If you order an online driving record, you will need to pay a fee of $7.25 for each record you need to check. For any requests made in person or mailed to the Montana DMV, you will have to pay a fee of $4 for getting your driving record.

For more information: Your Montana Driving Record

What is the DUI penalty for a CDL driver?
In Montana, drivers with a commercial driver’s license face DUI/DWI penalties that vary depending on the number of offenses the driver has committed. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles have a legal alcohol limit of 0.04 percent blood alcohol content (BAC). When found with a percentage of BAC above the legal alcohol limit, you will face the following DUI penalties:
  • Demerit points added to your driving record
  • Prohibition of driving a commercial motor vehicle
    • BAC higher than 0/04 percent: one-year prohibition
    • BAC higher than 0/04 percent while transporting hazardous materials: three-year prohibition
    • Second time of committing these offenses: life-time prohibition
  • Refusal of taking the chemical test:
    • First refusal: one-year license suspension
    • Second or refusal in the following five years: life-time license suspension

All the penalties for drivers over 21, also apply to CDL drivers when they are under a DUI conviction.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana

What is the DUI penalty for a minor?
Minors in Montana face very strict DUI restrictions and penalties. Drivers under 21 have a legal alcohol limit of 0.02 percent blood alcohol content (BAC). If found driving under the influence of alcohol with a percentage of BAC above the legal alcohol limit, you will face the following penalties:
  • Demerit points added to your driving record
  • Suspension or revocation of driver’s license
    • First offense: 90-days suspension
    • Second offense: six-month suspension
    • Third or subsequent offense: one-year suspension
  • Payment of a fine
    • First offense: $100 to $500 fine
    • Second offense: $200 to $500 fine
    • Third or subsequent offense: $300 to $500 fine

Additionally, all the penalties that drivers over 21 are facing with, also apply to minors when they are under a DUI conviction.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana

What must I do to reinstate my driver’s license as a result of a DUI/DWI?
Montana drivers with a DUI citation and a suspended license, must complete a list of requirements in order to reinstate their driver’s license. These requirements include the following:
  • Complete the court requirements
  • Wait for the duration of your driver’s license suspension to be over
  • Successfully complete an alcohol awareness program
  • Pay the appropriate reinstatement fee
  • Provide proof of financial responsibility by filing a SR-22 insurance, if required
  • Have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed for breathalyzer tests on any vehicle you drive at your cost
  • Take all the driving tests
  • Submit necessary clearance documents

Drivers can begin the suspended drivers license reinstatement process by visiting a local Montana DMV office.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana

Where can I find more information about an ignition interlock device?
Montana residents convicted of DUI or DWI will receive a court order to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicles for a period of time. If you are dealing with a first-time conviction of DUI, the ignition interlock device must be placed on any vehicle you are planning to drive for a certain probation period. If this is your second or subsequent time conviction, the ignition interlock device must be placed on any vehicle you plan to drive for a 12-month period after your driver’s license revocation ends.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana

Where can I find my traffic or parking ticket information online?
Residents of Montana who have received traffic ticket fines have the option to pay the fine by mail, online or in person at a local Montana DMV office. Depending on the Montana court that handles the ticket, residents may or may not be able to pay traffic fine online.

In order to find out whether you can access your traffic ticket fines information online, you should check for instructions on the paperwork you have received.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Montana

Why doesn’t a recent traffic ticket I received appear on my driving record?
Residents of Montana who have obtained a copy of their driving record, should check it into detail to make sure that all the information is correct with no mistakes. However, it might occur a notation to be placed temporarily on your driving record, indicating that there is some piece of information that has not been entered in your driving record yet. When the information is entered in your driving record, the DMV will remove that notation.

If you believe that a recent traffic ticket or any other information is missing from your driving record, please contact your local Montana DMV office in order to notify them. Your request for a revision of your driving record may be sent to the following address:

Motor Vehicle Division

302 N Roberts, Third Floor, Scott Hart Bldg

PO Box 201430, Helena, MT 59620-1430

For more information: Your Montana Driving Record

Will I have points against my driver’s license if I get a ticket?
If you are a resident of Montana who has violated the driving laws, you need to know that any ticket from a traffic violation has an assigned point value, which automatically is added to Your Montana Driving Record. The demerit points remain for three years on your record. After this period, the points disappear, but the convictions remain permanently on your DMV driving record. Tickets received out of state are also written on your driving record.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Montana

Will I have to take an alcohol awareness class to reinstate my driver’s license?
Montana drivers who are assessed DUI citations face a number of penalties that include jail time, payment of fines, license suspensions and driving restrictions. Moreover, drivers convicted of DUI/DWI must attend an alcohol awareness program prior to beginning a process of suspended drivers license reinstatement. Once they successfully complete an alcohol awareness program, the agency will send a proof to the Montana DMV.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Montana