DMV Point System in Montana

Thousands of years after their frosty formation, the mountains in Montana's Glacier National Park are reminders of the unfaltering majesty of ice ages past. Points on your driving record are also reminders of traffic tickets past and can even influence your present day driving privileges.

We'll teach you about the Montana Motor Vehicle Division's (MVD) point system, which is used to track the citations you receive.

Points & Your MT Driving Privileges

If you drive yourself to work or school on a daily basis, accumulating enough points on your record could have major effects on your life.

Once you accrue:

  • 15 points or more over the course of 36 months: License SUSPENDED for 6 months.
  • 30 points or more over 3 years: License REVOKED for 3 years.

The Montana MVD will automatically take away your driving privileges for certain traffic tickets, including (but not limited to):

  • DUI.
  • Refusing a sobriety test.
  • Homicide resulting from negligent driving.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or injury.

Take a look at our suspended driver license guide to learn about reinstating your driving privileges.

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Montana MVD Point Schedule

The severity of a traffic violation determines how many points it's worth; the more serious the offense, the more points it carries. Below are some examples of common traffic tickets and their corresponding point values.

Check out Montana's point system legislation for the Motor Vehicle Division's complete point schedule.

Offenses with Fewer Points

The Montana MVD will add relatively fewer points to your record for offenses including (but not limited to):

  • Failing to stop for a school bus boarding/unloading students: 2 points.
  • Running a:
    • Stop sign: 2 points.
    • Railroad crossing: 2 points.
    • Red light: 2 points.
  • Failure to yield right of way to a:
    • Pedestrian: 2 points.
    • Emergency vehicle: 2 points.
  • Neglecting to use turn signals: 2 points.
  • Following another vehicle too closely: 2 points.
  • Speeding: 3 points.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage: 4 points.
  • Failing to report an accident: 4 points.

Offenses with Higher Points

Here are a few examples of traffic tickets carrying the highest amount of points:

  • Evading the police: 5 points.
  • Street racing: 5 points.
  • Driving with a suspended/revoked license: 6 points.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving:
    • Injury: 8 points.
    • Death: 8 points.
  • Driving under the influence of:
    • Drugs: 10 points.
    • Alcohol: 10 points.
  • Homicide resulting from negligent driving: 12 points.

If you're ticketed for a high-point violation, you may have to plead your case in Montana traffic court. Check out our fighting traffic tickets guide for tips on preparing for court.

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Clear Your Montana Record

The MT Motor Vehicle Division will remove the points for traffic tickets 3 years after the conviction date.

Unfortunately, you cannot complete a defensive driving course for point reduction.

All in all, the best way to maintain your driving privileges is to always be a defensive driver and familiarize yourself with Montana's traffic laws.

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