Reinstating a Driver's License in Montana
How to check your Montana license status, what gets a license suspended, reinstatement steps and fees, and hardship licenses.
Short answer: A driver's license suspended or revoked under Mont. Code Ann. § 61-5-205 or § 61-8-1016 stays suspended or revoked until the driver pays the Department of Justice (Motor Vehicle Division) a $200 reinstatement fee, in addition to any fines and penalties from the conviction. Mont. Code Ann. § 61-2-107
| Checking and reinstating a license | A driver's license suspended or revoked under Mont. Code Ann. § 61-5-205 or § 61-8-1016 stays suspended or revoked until the driver pays the Department of Justice (Motor Vehicle Division) a $200 reinstatement fee, in addition to any fines and penalties from the conviction. Source: Mont. Code Ann. § 61-2-107 |
|---|---|
| License suspension | Verified grounds include habitual traffic offender status (30 points in 3 years; 3-year revocation), a DUI conviction (6-month suspension for a first offense; 1 year for a second within the lookback period), and refusing a chemical test (6 months for a first refusal, 1 year for a second within 5 years). Reinstatement requires completing the suspension and paying all reinstatement and administrative fees. |
| Hardship or restricted license | After a first DUI conviction, the court may recommend a probationary license, which can be conditioned on an ignition interlock or a 24/7 sobriety and drug monitoring program. After a second DUI, a probationary license is available only after 45 days of the 1-year suspension and with a court recommendation. No restricted probationary license is available during a test-refusal suspension. |
Where to get help in Montana
More Montana traffic tickets & dui
- DUI Laws in Montana
- How Driver Points Work in Montana
- Paying or Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Montana
- All Montana traffic tickets & dui rules
FAQ
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Montana?
A driver's license suspended or revoked under Mont. Code Ann. § 61-5-205 or § 61-8-1016 stays suspended or revoked until the driver pays the Department of Justice (Motor Vehicle Division) a $200 reinstatement fee, in addition to any fines and penalties from the conviction.
What gets your license suspended in Montana?
Verified grounds include habitual traffic offender status (30 points in 3 years; 3-year revocation), a DUI conviction (6-month suspension for a first offense; 1 year for a second within the lookback period), and refusing a chemical test (6 months for a first refusal, 1 year for a second within 5 years). Reinstatement requires completing the suspension and paying all reinstatement and administrative fees.
Can you get a hardship license in Montana?
After a first DUI conviction, the court may recommend a probationary license, which can be conditioned on an ignition interlock or a 24/7 sobriety and drug monitoring program. After a second DUI, a probationary license is available only after 45 days of the 1-year suspension and with a court recommendation. No restricted probationary license is available during a test-refusal suspension.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.