Montana Driving Regulations
MONTANA DRIVING REGULATIONS
Montana's traffic laws are listed below. The following acts are against the law.
(1) Driving a motor vehicle without all proper licenses and permits.
(2) Passing a motor or other vehicle, or changing direction, or stopping on a highway without giving proper warning or signal. The following shall constitute proper warning signals:
a. Blow horn when passing.
b. Left turn - Left hand and arm extended horizontally.
c. Right turn - Left hand and arm extended upward.
d. Stop or decrease speed - Left hand and arm extended downward.
(3) Passing a motor or other vehicle on blind curves, hills, or any other place where the view is obstructed or obscured, or over an unbroken centerline.
(4) Driving a vehicle of any type at night without suitable lights or reflectors for the protection of traffic.
(5) Driving an automotive vehicle in a reckless manner, or in excess of speed designated by the Highway Patrol Supervisor at dangerous points. Driving an automotive vehicle in a reckless manner is the violation of two (2) or more regulations of the Montana Motor Vehicle Code, or any one or more violations of this act that has caused an accident, or in a manner which indicates a wilful disregard for one's own safety or the safety of others.
(6) Operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe mechanical condition. This pertains specifically to brakes, lights, visibility of glass enclosures and windshields, steering devices and mechanical features enabling the operator to handle his car in a safe manner under all normal conditions.
(7) Driving an automotive vehicle in excess of forty (40) miles per hour on all sharp curves marked with standard highway markers.
(8) Failing to observe "school zone" signs, "stop" signs, and other signs or signals legally placed along or on the highways.
(9) Operating a motor vehicle with headlamps with greater than thirty-two (32) candle power intensity, except where sealed-beam headlights are used or on police and fire department equipment.
(10) Operating a motor vehicle without windshield wiper or rearview mirror.
(11) Permitting " 'wrecker cars' or other towing agencies" equipment to block the highways without first placing signs or flares at night, and red flags during the day, a sufficient distance depending upon conditions, front and rear to protect oncoming traffic.
(12) Allowing parked, disabled, or stalled motor truck, bus, or trailer on the highway without having flares or lanterns during the night time, and red flags in the day time, placed at a sufficient distance, depending on conditions, front and rear, to allow oncoming traffic an opportunity to stop; and not removing such motor vehicle or trailer from the highway as quickly as possible.
(13) Vehicles entering the main highways from a side road or drive must completely stop before entering said highway and right-of-way must be given to a vehicle traveling on the main highways.
(14) Stopping or parking on the main traveled portion of the highways. (At all times pull as far to the right side of the road as possible.)
(15) Walking on other than the left hand side of the road.
(16) Failing to drive to the right of the centerline at all times except when overtaking or passing a motor or other vehicle. Passing is allowed only where the driver can see sufficient clear road to pass and return to his side of the road before endangering an approaching vehicle coming in the opposite direction.
(17) Failing to observe the word, signal, or whistle of a highway patrolman. Patrolmen shall have the authority to stop, examine, and test any vehicle they see fit.
(18) Operating a motor vehicle with more than three (3) persons in the driver's seat.
(19) Operating a motor vehicle in all towns and municipalities on state and federal highways at a speed exceeding twenty-five (25) miles per hour.
(20) Operating a motor truck or bus without at least two flares, lanterns or bomb shells, and operating a motor truck, bus, or a triler without suitable tail lights or reflectors. (Portable reflectors are authorized.)
(21) Operating a vehicle on the highway, under construction or undergoing repair, at a speed exceeding thirty-five (35) miles per hour or failing to stop when flagged.
(22) Failing to turn out a spotlight when approaching and meeting a vehicle.
(23) Operating a motor vehicle with more than ten percent (10%) of the windshield and front, side and rear windows artificially obstructed in such a manner as to impair the view of the driver.
(24) Operating a motor vehicle without a horn in good working order capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred (200) feet.
(25) Refusal by any driver, on the demand of an officer of the Montana Highway Patrol, to submit to test of the lights and brakes of the motor vehicle which he is driving upon the highways of this state, or to exhibit his driver's license.
(26) Failing to dim lights when approaching a car from either the front or the rear.
(27) Following a motor or other vehicle at a distance which is too close to be reasonable and prudent under existing conditions. (Allow at least one car length for every 10 mph of speed.)
(28) Riding on the running boards or fenders of a motor vehicle.
(29) Operating a motor vehicle in a careless, thoughtless or negligent manner, which has endangered or might endanger the operator or other persons or vehicles on the highway, but which does not indicate a reckless disregard of safety either for himself or others.
(30) Driving or operating an automobile, truck, motorcycle or any other motor vehicle upon or over any highway or street or public thoroughfare within the State of Montana, whether within or without a municipality, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or narcotic.
Accidents
In case of accident:
1. Notify the police immediately. This is for your protection because the police officer will:
a. Render any necessary first aid.
b. Investigate the accident and determine the causes.
c. Protect your property against theft or further damage by another accident.
2. In the event the total property damage amounts to more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or someone is injured or killed, each operator must submit a written report (on a form which may be had from any police, sheriff, or patrol officer) within twenty-four hours to the Supervisor of the Highway Patrol. These reports are confidential and may not be used in any legal proceeding.
Montana law requires that, in the event you should strike an unattended vehicle you must leave a message conspicuously attached to the struck vehicle telling your true name and address, and describe the circumstances surrounding the collision.
