MontanaSB 38069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Generally revise laws related to motor vehicle laws

Sponsored By: Shelley Vance (Republican)

Became Law

Motor VehiclesRule Making

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

17 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 3 costs, 6 mixed.

Lower bond for nonresident title businesses

Nonresident businesses applying for Montana title production must post a minimum bond of $100,000, down from $250,000. Financial institutions are exempt from the bond.

DUI refusal: license suspensions and $300 fee

If you refuse alcohol or drug testing, your license is suspended. First refusal is 6 months; a second within 5 years is 1 year. If you hold a CDL, a first refusal is 1 year; a later refusal can mean a lifetime CDL suspension, with possible reinstatement after at least 10 years if eligible. You must pay a $300 implied‑consent fee. Officers must be certified and use certified devices for preliminary breath tests. You get a temporary permit that starts 12 hours after issue and lasts 5 days. Refusing more than one test at one stop counts as one refusal. You have 30 days to ask a district court to review only whether the officer had grounds to request tests and whether you refused. The department can also honor tribal license seizures on reservations, and those actions are not reviewable under the listed state section.

Stricter ID checks and license fraud penalties

To get a state ID, you must live in Montana and be authorized to be in the U.S. The DMV verifies lawful presence for non‑citizens using the federal SAVE system. You can have only one nonvoided license or ID at a time, including digital credentials. The DMV may cancel a license for ineligibility, wrong or missing information, or fraud. If your license is canceled for fraud or bad information, you are barred from driving a commercial vehicle for 60 days.

Wholesalers: annual report and fees

Wholesalers must file a yearly report by the 15th day of the month before their license expiration month and pay a $30 fee. You must certify at least 12 sales for the year, or average one per month if licensed less than a full year. If you cannot certify, you pay another $25 and may face license revocation.

Dealer demonstrator plate rules updated

Dealers and wholesalers can buy demonstrator plates for $5 each and use just one rear plate. Dealers can use demonstrator plates for test drives up to 72 hours, repair testing, moving vehicles between sites, and in‑state exhibitions up to 20 days. Eligible dealers may get extra demonstrator plates for service facilities. Dealers that sell only power sports vehicles cannot get demonstrator plates.

Dealer loaner plates: fees and limits

New motor vehicle dealers pay $25 per set of loaner plates each year. Loaner plates may be used only on new vehicles on a manufacturer’s statement of origin, held for resale, and loaned to customers during repairs. Dealers must keep borrower and timing records, and misuse can trigger up to a 6‑month suspension of loaner‑plate rights. Dealers can get more sets if they show need. Anyone driving a loaner‑plated vehicle must carry written proof they are authorized to use it.

5-day interim disability parking permit

A licensed doctor, chiropractor, or advanced practice nurse may issue a 5‑day interim disability parking permit after a permit request is submitted. It is valid only in Montana and cannot be renewed or extended.

Longer license terms and easier renewals

You can renew your license by mail or online in most cases. Mail or online renewals last 12 years, or 8 years for REAL ID. CDLs generally last 8 years. County treasurers can serve as local agents in areas without a driver exam station to handle some renewals. If the Department of Military Affairs verifies your status, “veteran” appears on your license and you do not need to show proof again at renewal.

Replacement title fee drops in 2026

A replacement vehicle title costs $10 now. Beginning July 1, 2026, the fee drops to $5. Until then, $5 goes to the state general fund and $5 goes to the motor vehicle IT account. Starting July 1, 2026, the entire $5 goes to the state general fund.

Electronic vehicle titles and optional rush

The department runs a pilot for electronic vehicle titles and records. You and authorized agents can submit and certify title and lien actions online instead of using paper. An electronic title is legal title to the vehicle. A faster, optional expedited title service is available for a fee set by the department. The fee goes to the motor vehicle information technology system account.

Clearer qualifications for driver rehab specialists

The law defines who counts as a driver rehabilitation specialist. You qualify with current certification from the Association of Driver Educators for the Disabled. Or you qualify with a listed bachelor’s degree (or 8 years of equivalent experience) plus at least 1 year working in driver evaluation and training for people with disabilities. This makes it clearer who can evaluate and train drivers with disabilities.

New chief information security officer role

The state designates a chief information security officer in the Department of Administration. The officer advises and oversees cybersecurity for state agencies and consults with local, school, and tribal governments. The goal is to better protect state information and citizens’ data.

More entities can access DMV systems

Businesses and government units that sign agreements may be authorized to access and update motor vehicle and driver records electronically. The law also narrows which sellers count as Montana dealers, excluding some who only lease space without staff or complete sales outside Montana with no Montana title. This reduces dealer licensing obligations for those excluded sellers.

Driver license fees and rush delivery

You pay set fees per year (or part of a year). Noncommercial licenses cost $5 per year. Motorcycle endorsements cost $0.50 per year. Interstate CDLs cost $10 per year; intrastate CDLs cost $8.50 per year. A renewal notice costs $0.50. You may choose expedited delivery for a fee set by the department. That fee funds faster delivery, staff, and technology.

Collector plates fee and repealed rules

A collector reproduction plate application costs $50. The law sends $25 to highway patrol salaries and $25 to the motor vehicle division administration account. The state also repeals some older registration and plate laws, changing procedures for certain categories like collector items.

Younger driver rules and hardship licenses

No one under 15 can get a license unless they are at least 15 and pass an approved driver education course. The department may issue a restricted license at age 13 for an individual hardship it determines.

Transporter permits and transit plate fees

Transporters who regularly move vehicles by driveaway or towaway must apply for an annual permit and pay $100. Permitholders can get up to five sets of transit plates at $10 per set and may receive more if they show last year’s Montana trip activity supports it. The Department of Justice keeps permit and plate fees to cover program costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Shelley Vance
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Neil Duram
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 286 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/10/2025