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MontanaHB 58869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Defining and regulating motorized scooters

Sponsored By: Neil Duram (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Motor Vehicles

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

New riding rules for scooters and bikes

On highways, scooter, bike, and moped riders have driver rights and must follow bicycle rules unless an exception applies. You may use motor power on highways, in bike lanes, and on shoulders. On sidewalks or bike paths, only human power is allowed, and you must yield and give an audible signal before passing. At dawn, dusk, or night, you need a white front light and a red rear light or reflector visible from 500 feet, side reflectivity, and brakes that stop within 25 feet from 10 mph. You may not cling to other vehicles and must keep at least one hand on the bars when carrying items. A seat is not required on scooters. Racing on highways is illegal unless officials approve the event and provide traffic control.

40-day title and registration window

New owners have 40 calendar days from purchase to apply for title and pay registration fees. During that time, you must display a temporary registration permit to drive. If you did not buy from a licensed dealer, you may drive in the 40-day period only if the temporary permit is displayed. The law also states that if HB 99 also amends the same section (61-3-317), this 40-day section is void.

Helmets required for riders under 18

Operators and passengers under 18 on motorcycles, mopeds, motorized scooters, or quadricycles must wear protective headgear that meets Department of Justice standards. Fully enclosed autocycles with a windshield, nonremovable doors, and a roof are exempt. You may not operate on a highway unless all passengers under 18 wear compliant headgear.

Clear definitions for motorized scooters

The law defines a motorized scooter as seatless, powered by muscle or a motor, and not able to exceed 30 mph on level ground. Electrically assisted bicycles are not scooters. Scooters are not treated as motor vehicles or motorcycles, and they are not motorized nonstandard vehicles. But scooters with motors of 5 horsepower or less are motor-driven cycles, so some motor-driven cycle rules apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Neil Duram

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 381 • No: 114

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 89 • No: 10

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 37 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 39 • No: 10

House vote • 3/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 56 • No: 42

House vote • 3/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 60 • No: 39

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/23/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/3/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/3/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/2/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    3/24/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    3/21/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/17/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/6/2025Senate

  17. Transmitted to Senate

    3/5/2025House

  18. 3rd Reading

    3/5/2025House

  19. 2nd Reading

    3/4/2025House

  20. Committee Report

    2/27/2025House

  21. Committee Executive Action

    2/26/2025House

  22. Hearing

    2/21/2025House

  23. 1st Reading

    2/20/2025House

  24. Referred to Committee

    2/20/2025House

  25. Introduced

    2/19/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/25/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/19/2025

    PDF

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