The 10 Most Common Ways to Get a Suspended License in Montana

If you drive with a suspended license, get charged with a DUI, or even fail to pay child support, your license could be suspended or revoked in Montana.
Written by Kevin Martinez
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In Montana, your license can be suspended or revoked for a number of offenses. Some of the most common reasons include DUI charges, refusal to take an alcohol test, or even failure to pay child support. If you are caught driving with a suspended or revoked license, you could face steep fines, an extended suspension period, and potential jail time. Not to mention, it'll be much harder to find
cheap car insurance in Montana.
It’s important to remember that you have the privilege to drive but not necessarily the right to drive. This means that your license can be suspended or revoked just as quickly as you obtained it. And if that’s not tricky enough, the laws about suspensions and revocations can be different from state to state.
Lucky for you, the
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What’s the difference between a license suspension and revocation?

If you’ve ever heard the terms “license suspensions” and “license revocation,” you’ve probably heard them used interchangeably. However, it’s important to know the difference between the two because although they do limit your legal authority to drive, they mean two different things.
  • If your license is suspended, that means that your driving privileges are removed temporarily for a specified amount of time.
  • If your license is revoked, however, this is a more serious removal of privileges, typically for an extended or indefinite period of time. Usually, this means that the driver will have to re-apply for licensing.
Keep in mind that Montana reserves the right to suspend or revoke your license if you break any laws, such as any DUI charges, failure to pay any tickets or make any court appearances, or even other serious crimes.

What can your license be suspended for in Montana? 

The state of Montana has the right to suspend your license for any number of reasons. It’s important that you are aware of some of the most common violations that could result in a license suspension, so you can be well informed and avoid a suspension yourself—either temporary or permanently!

1. Driving under the influence (DUI)

The first time you're charged with a
DUI in Montana
, your license will be suspended for not less than six months. For a second (or any subsequent) conviction within a 10-year period, you’ll have to face a one-year suspension.

2. Refusal to submit to alcohol testing

If you are pulled over and refuse to submit to alcohol testing, thanks to Montana’s implied consent laws, you could face a six-month suspension for a first-time refusal. For any subsequent refusals, you will face a one-year suspension.

3. Operation of a vehicle by a person under 21 years of age with BAC of 0.02%

For drivers under the age of 21, if you’re found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or higher, you could face a 90-day suspension of your license for a first-time offense. It will go up to 6 months for a second-time offense, and for a third conviction, you’ll face a year-long suspension.

4. Failure to pay fines or appear in court

If you fail to pay any outstanding fines or make a court-ordered appearance in court, your license will be suspended indefinitely until court sentencing has been met.

5. Failure to pay child support

If you fail to pay child support on time in Montana, be prepared to face an indefinite suspension of your driver’s license until child support obligations have been fulfilled.

6. Unsatisfied judgment

If you fail to meet any of the requirements or fulfill your sentencing for any violation, your license will be revoked for 6 years until judgment and sentencing have been fulfilled.

7. Medically unable to safely operate a vehicle

The state of Montana reserves the right to determine whether or not a person is medically fit to operate a vehicle. If the state deems you unable to operate a vehicle safely, you could face your license being suspended indefinitely unless the medical charges change.

8. Other violations

There are other violations that could result in you getting your license suspended anywhere from 30 days or up to one year. Keep in mind, in some instances, your license could be suspended indefinitely.
  • Driver who commits three
    reckless driving offenses
    within a 12-month period.
  • Drivers who use a motor vehicle in the theft of motor vehicle fuel
  • Fraudulent license application
  • Falsifying date of birth on license
  • Altering a license or ID to obtain alcohol
  • Any unlawful use of a license.

How to save money on car insurance in Montana

No matter how good or bad your Montana driving record may be,
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In 45 seconds or less, Jerry will shop around comparing rates from top insurance providers to ensure you’re getting the right coverage at the best rates available. With the average Jerry user saving an average of $887 a year on car insurance, finding the best car insurance has never been easier. All you have to do is download the Jerry app, answer a few questions and get ready to see some jaw-dropping savings!
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