Seat belts and child seats in Montana (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Every occupant of a designated seating position must wear a fastened seat belt or, where it applies, be in a child safety restraint. Children are secured by age: rear-facing under 2, harness or booster up to age 8, and an adult belt from age 9.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Under 2: rear-facing seat. Age 2 to under 4: rear- or forward-facing seat with internal harness. Age 4 to under 8: forward-facing harness seat or booster seat. Adult seat belt from age 9 or once the booster limits are outgrown. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | The section sets no rule on where in the vehicle a child may sit. The restraint duty applies to any seat. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Secondary for most occupants: an officer may not stop a driver for a seat-belt violation alone unless there is reasonable cause to believe another traffic law was broken. A stop is allowed if a child under 6 weighing less than 60 pounds is not properly restrained. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Children from 4 up to 8 years must ride in a forward-facing harness seat or a booster seat used with a lap-shoulder belt. From age 9, or once they outgrow the booster seat's height or weight limits, they use the adult seat belt. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | $20 fine (bond also $20). It is not a misdemeanor, no jail sentence may be imposed and the violation is not recorded on the driving record. [3] |
Notes
- A driver may not be required to stop for a seat belt violation alone unless there is reasonable cause of another violation, or a person under 6 and under 60 pounds is not properly restrained.
Sources
- Montana Legislature: 61-13-103. Seatbelt use required -- exceptions (MCA 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Montana Legislature: 61-9-420. Child safety restraint systems -- standards -- exemptions (MCA 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Montana Legislature: Montana Code Annotated 2025, 61-13-104 Penalty -- no record permitted (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Montana and neighbouring states
| State | Seat belt compulsory in front seats | Seat belt compulsory in rear seats | Child restraint required until | Children in the front seat | Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | Yes, every designated seat | Yes, every designated seat | Rear-facing under 2; booster to age 8; belt from 9 | No front-seat restriction in the statute | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Idaho | Yes, all seats | Yes, all seats | Child restraint to age 6, then belt | No seat rule; unrestrained child goes in rear | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | Under 8, unless 57 in (1.45 m) tall | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| South Dakota | Yes | Only passengers aged 5 to 17 | Under 5 (seat belt at 40 lb or more) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | Under 9 (belt allowed if it fits properly) | Back seat, unless one row or rear belts full | Not allowed |
More rules in Montana
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 2 mature plants, 2 seedlings
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 70 mph day / 65 night
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 15 (after 6 months on a learner licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 14.5 with a traffic education course
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle (one class)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible fireworks)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Carry offence covers firearms only · Locking or one-handed knives: No section on automatic knives listed
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $10.85 per hour
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (sales/provision banned) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (sales/provision banned)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.