The Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) is the government agency responsible for driving records. They supply them upon request to individuals as well as businesses that require them. Montana follows all state and federal Driver Privacy Protection Act laws and will only supply records that contain personal information to authorized entities. This agency acts like a Montana DMV (department of motor vehicles) in other states.
The DOJ offers two types of driver records. The first is a Montana-based basic driver record. The other is a Montana commercial driver record for those who possess a CDL license. Requestors can get copies online, in person at any Montana Motor Vehicle Division office, and through the mail.
Motor vehicle history reports contain personal information such as the driver's full name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, social security number, physical description, and medical information. The records also contain moving violations, traffic violations, license status, license points, driving convictions/accident history, driver license sanctions such as revocations and suspensions, and motor vehicle accident history. The reports will also show information pertaining to driving performance and actions taken by the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD). In other states, this is similar to a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Individuals can obtain copies of their own driving records quickly and easily. They can do so using the online portal called "Driver History Records Service." When ordering, they will need a valid credit card, a printer to print the record and their birthdate, and a driver's license number.
They may also order in person at any MVD office or by mail using the downloadable form.
Businesses can also get copies; however, if they need multiple copies, they may not be able to get them on the same day. These companies (such as trucking companies and insurance agents) can register to become regular users of the online system.
When ordering records by mail, the user must pay by check or money order (credit cards are not accepted). They can mail the payment and completed application to Motor Vehicle Division, P.O. Box 201430, Helena, MT 59620-1430. They must include a stamped, self-address envelope to return the results in. They must have the person's full name, driver's license number, and birthdate as well.
Someone ordering for anyone other than themselves must have the subject sign a release form which must accompany their application and payment.
Individuals ordering online must pay a fee of $8.87 for each record requested. Anyone ordering in person at an MVD office or through the mail will pay only $4.12 per record.
If the requestor wants the results faxed to them, they can pay an additional $3.09 per record extra.
A certified copy costs $10.30 and cannot be faxed.
After completing a driver's education course, anyone who is 14 & 1/2 years old can apply for a learner license. Anyone wishing to apply for a learner or regular license must have parental or guardian permission if they are younger than 18 years old.
Someone whose license was suspended or revoked in another state cannot apply for one in Montana.
Anyone 18 or older can apply if they:
If someone is younger than 18, they must:
Some other driving laws per the Montana Department of Justice include:
The state has two different types of driver's licenses. A Class D license is the standard that most people have. Then they offer a commercial driver's license (CDL) for businesses and truckers.
The state has only one type of driving record containing personally identifiable information (PII). Therefore, the state demands strict compliance with Driver Privacy Protection Act laws.
The driving record will contain personal history information, licensing information, conviction/accident history, driver license sanctions, and motor vehicle accident history. It also covers the examination process; denial or issuance; revocation, suspension, or cancellation of a license; driver performance; and any other action taken in response to unsafe driver performance or other legal requirements. The DOJ stipulates it may also contain "changes in legislation, computer systems, data sources, court cases, and judicial rulings, all which affect the appearance and information included in your record."
Criminal driving offenses in the state are serious crimes that result in harsh punishments such as steep fines, jail or prison time, court-ordered programs, and the loss of your license. Some examples of criminal driving offenses in Montana include:
Reckless driving - 5 license points.
Careless driving - 4 license points.
Careless driving is considered a misdemeanor, but the punishments are still strict.
Civil driving offenses are far less severe and usually result in a warning or ticket by the officer. Some examples of civil driving offenses include:
According to the Montana Department of Transportation (DOT), some interesting state driving statistics are:
Additional crash-related facts for 2018 are:
Below are some frequently asked questions about state driving records.
Only people with valid legal reasons can get a copy of your report. Otherwise, they must have a signed consent form from you to order a copy of yours. The state of Montana restricts the use of a driving record with the following stipulations:
Yes. The state has a special Driver History Records Service where you can easily order copies online. This service is meant for individuals only. Those needing a lot of copies will have to register for a different type of account.
When ordering, you need your name and address, date of birth, and driver's license information.
Yes, and if you incur too many points on your license, you will lose the privilege to drive for a long time.
Below are some helpful state driving record links.
Disclaimer: The materials presented here are for informational purposes only. The information is taken from state and local resources, and is current as of the most recent site update. Changes made by state and local departments and agencies after our latest update may render some information and fees outdated, and may cause links to break and forms to be unavailable. Infotracer strongly encourages you to visit the relevant state and local resources to ensure you have the most recent information.