Mont. Code Ann. § 61-5-102
Drivers to be licensed -- penalty
En. Sec. 9, Ch. 267, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 37, L. 1951; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 79, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 51, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 211, L. 1961; R.C.M. 1947, 31-125(a) thru (c); (4)En. Sec. 9, Ch. 508, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 443, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 309, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 415, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 428, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 79, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 233, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 462, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 209, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 321, L. 2017; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 309, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 217, L. 2021.
(1)
- (a) Except as provided in 61-5-104, a person may not drive a motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless the person has a valid Montana driver's license. A person may not receive a Montana driver's license until the person surrenders to the department all valid driver's licenses issued by any other jurisdiction. A person may not have in the person's possession or under the person's control more than one valid Montana driver's license at any time.
- (b) Except as provided in subsection (1)(c), the penalty for a violation of this section is a fine of not more than $500.
- (c) A person who is eligible to hold a driver's license and has obtained a valid driver's license but has not renewed the license as provided in 61-5-111(3)(c) is not subject to the penalty in subsection (1)(b).
(2)
(a)
- (i) Except as provided in subsections (2)(a)(ii) and (2)(a)(iii), a license is not valid for the operation of a motorcycle unless the holder of the license has completed the requirements of 61-5-110 and the license has been clearly marked with the words "motorcycle endorsement".
- (ii) A motorcycle endorsement is not required for the operation of a low-speed electric vehicle or a motorcycle that is propelled by an electric motor or other device that transforms stored electrical energy into the motion of the vehicle, has a fully enclosed cab, is equipped with three wheels in contact with the ground, and is equipped with a seat and seatbelts.
- (iii) A motorcycle endorsement is not required for the operation of an autocycle or a three-wheeled motorcycle.
(b) A license is not valid for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle unless the holder of the license has completed the requirements of 61-5-110, the license has been clearly marked with the words "commercial driver's license", and the license bears the proper endorsement for:
- (i) the specific vehicle type or types being operated; or
- (ii) the passengers or type or types of cargo being transported.
- (3) A low-speed restricted driver's license is not valid for the operation of a motor vehicle other than a low-speed electric vehicle or a golf cart.
- (4) When a city or town requires a licensed driver to obtain a local driving license or permit, a license or permit may not be issued unless the applicant presents a state driver's license valid under the provisions of this chapter.
History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 267, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 37, L. 1951; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 79, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 51, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 211, L. 1961; R.C.M. 1947, 31-125(a) thru (c); (4)En. Sec. 9, Ch. 508, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 443, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 309, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 415, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 428, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 79, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 233, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 462, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 209, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 321, L. 2017; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 309, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 217, L. 2021.