Montana Driving Laws (2026): Speed, Phone, Insurance, Tax

Montana driving laws: speed limits

The highest speed limit in Montana is 80 mph. Rural interstates are posted at up to 80 mph and urban freeways up to 65 mph.

Other highways are 70 mph by day and 65 at night; trucks are limited to 70 on interstates.

On busy roads such as I-90 and I-15, signs are frequently lower than 80 mph, especially around Billings and in work zones.

Drivers must also keep a speed reasonable for weather and traffic, even under the limit, and officers may write a ticket for that alone.

In short, under Montana driving laws: max speed limit, 80 mph.

Montana driving laws: cell phone and texting law

Mostly yes. Montana has no statewide ban on texting or hand-held phone use for adult drivers, although some cities have their own laws.

Montana is the only state without a statewide texting ban, although some cities have their own phone ordinances.

Texting rules apply to each driver in Montana, but holding a hand-held phone for a call is still allowed once you are licensed as an adult.

At a glance, under Montana driving laws: phone law, no texting ban.

Montana driving laws: driving age and teen licenses

Teens in Montana can obtain a learner's permit at 14 and a provisional license at 15, with night and passenger limits after that.

Prior to the road test, permit holders in Montana log 50 hours (10 at night) of supervised driving.

At a glance, under Montana driving laws: learner's permit age, permit at 14.

Montana driving laws: minimum car insurance

Montana requires motorists to carry at least 25/50/20 in liability insurance: $25,000 for one injured person, $50,000 for all injuries in one crash and $20,000 for property damage.

Montana follows the at-fault system, so the at-fault driver is responsible for the other motorists' injuries and damage via their liability insurance.

Bare-minimum coverage seldom pays for a serious crash, since hospital bills and a new car may top $50,000 fast.

Many agents suggest limits like 100/300/100, since damages above your limits can be collected from you directly.

In short, under Montana driving laws: car insurance, 25/50/20.

Montana driving laws: car sales tax

Montana has no state sales tax on vehicle purchases.

Montana has no sales tax. Light vehicles with an MSRP over $150,000 pay an extra $825 a year for their first 10 years, and registration fees depend on the vehicle's age.

At a glance, under Montana driving laws: car sales tax, none.

Montana driving laws: car inspection and emissions

No. Montana does not require regular safety inspections or emissions tests for passenger cars.

With no regular safety check in Montana, keeping brakes, lights and tires in good order is up to the owner.

Bottom line, under Montana driving laws: car inspection, no regular inspection.

Montana driving laws: license and registration deadlines for new residents

After moving to Montana, you have 60 days to obtain a Montana driver's license, and 60 days to register your car.

Step-by-step list for Montana driving laws

• Get a Montana driver's license: 60 days. Bring an ID document, your Social Security number and two documents with your new address when you visit the Montana MVD; REAL ID rules apply.
• Buy car insurance that meets the minimum: Montana requires 25/50/20. Coverage is generally needed before registration.
• Vehicle check: No regular inspection, though a VIN check may be required for an out-of-state car.
• Register and title your car: 60 days at the county treasurer.

The clock generally begins when you take a job, rent a home or register kids for school in Montana, not on the day the moving truck shows up.

In short, under Montana driving laws: new resident deadline, 60 days.

Montana driving laws: motorcycle helmet law

Only if you are under 18. In Montana, motorcyclists 17 and younger are required to wear a helmet; adults 18 and older may legally ride without one. Whether you are on I-90 close to Billings or on I-94, the rule stays the same.

Riders 17 and younger are required to wear a helmet under the Montana driving laws; from age 18 the choice is the rider's.

According to NHTSA, that helmets reduce over a third of rider deaths in serious crashes, and roughly 41% for passengers.

A legal helmet shows the DOT symbol on the back; novelty helmets that lack it do not count.

Bottom line, under Montana driving laws: helmet law, under 18.

Montana driving laws: lane splitting

Only lane filtering. Montana has permitted motorcyclists to pass between stopped vehicles at low speed since 2021; splitting lanes in moving traffic is still illegal.

Since October 2021, riders can pass stopped or slow-moving vehicles (10 mph or less) at no more than 20 mph, when it is safe.

Even where it is legal, Montana driving laws is still subject to reckless-driving laws, so police can stop a rider who goes too fast.

In short, under Montana driving laws: lane splitting, filtering only.

Where the Montana driving laws stand out

• Max speed limit: 80 mph, among the faster 9 in the US
• Phone law: No texting ban, last in the nation (looser than each state)
• Learner's permit age: Permit at 14, in the earlier group of 9 nationwide
• Car sales tax: None — in the lower group of 3 states
• Lane splitting: Filtering only, among the more permissive 6 in the US

Driving around Montana

Key highways include I-90, I-15 and I-94, connecting Billings, Missoula and Helena, the capital. Every one of these roads falls under Montana driving laws.

You obtain a license from the Montana MVD, and registration and titles come from the county treasurer.

Every rule on this page applies in every county, whether in Billings or in rural counties.

Across the border

• Idaho: 6% for car sales tax, against None; 25/50/15 for car insurance, against 25/50/20
• North Dakota: 5% for car sales tax, against None; car insurance of 25/50/25 instead of 25/50/20
• South Dakota: car sales tax 4% (vs. None); 25/50/25 for car insurance, against 25/50/20
• Wyoming: 4% for car sales tax, against None