Turning right on red is legal in Montana—so long as you’ve first yielded to other drivers and pedestrians. Local law may ban turning right on red at some intersections, so you should always look for a posted sign before turning.

Every driver knows that a red light means stop, but in most states, you’re actually allowed to turn right on red—if it’s safe to do so.

That being said, turning right on red isn’t always legal, so it’s crucial to know your state’s exact law if you want to avoid the fines and points added to your driving record that come with red light violations.

Cue

Jerry

. The

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comparison shopper and broker app is here to help you understand turning right on red laws in Montana. In this article, we’ll answer the question, “Can you turn right on red in Montana?”. We’ll talk about the stipulations of the law and the punishments for breaking it. Finally, we'll leave you with some tips on how to save on your

Montana insurance costs

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Can you turn right on red in Montana?

In short: yes. You can turn right on red in Montana, as long as there isn’t a posted sign prohibiting it.

According to

Title 61, Chapter 8

of the Montana Code, drivers may turn right at a steady or flashing red light if:

There is no posted sign prohibiting the turn

The driver follows right of way rules by yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles

The driver proceeds with caution

To sum up: the clearest way to tell if turning right on red is legal at a certain intersection is to look for a posted sign. If there isn’t one, you’re free to turn—just make sure to come to a complete stop first and always yield to pedestrians and approaching traffic.

What about left turns on red?

Turning left on red is sometimes legal in Montana.

Like many parts of the country, Montana permits turning left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street. As with turning right on red, you are expected to yield to oncoming traffic and other pedestrians before proceeding.

Key Takeaway You can turn right on red in Montana as long as there’s no posted sign banning it, but you can turn left on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way. Always yield to pedestrians and approaching vehicles.

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Penalties for an illegal right turn on red in Montana

While turning right on red might be legal in Montana, it’s still possible to be ticketed if you violate traffic light rules and turn right on red illegally.

A violation of Montana’s

red light law

is a misdemeanor offense. The fines for a red light violation are:

$10 to $100 for a first conviction

$25 to $200 for a second conviction within 12 months

$50 to $500 for a third conviction within 12 months

These fines do not include court costs and other fees.

Additionally, a red light violation will add two points to your Montana

driving record

. Accumulating 15 or more points over 36 months will result in license suspension.

What’s more, depending on the severity of the incident, a red light violation could be charged as a

reckless driving

conviction, which will add five points to your record.

Finally,

you can expect your car insurance premium to go up

after a red light violation. Drivers with spotty driving records are seen as riskier to insure and, as a result, will face higher monthly premiums.

Key Takeaway The penalties for illegally turning right on red are strict. When in doubt, it’s best to wait until the light turns green to proceed.

MORE:

Does running a red light increase your car insurance rates?

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