§ 61-13-103 — Seatbelt Use Required -- Exceptions

61-13-103 . Seatbelt use required -- exceptions. (1) A driver may not operate a motor vehicle upon a highway of the state of Montana unless each occupant of a designated seating position is wearing a properly adjusted and fastened seatbelt or, if 61-9-420 applies, is properly restrained in a child safety restraint.
(2) The provisions of this section do not apply to:
(a) an occupant of a motor vehicle who possesses a written statement from a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, as defined in 37-8-102 , that the occupant is unable to wear a seatbelt for medical reasons;
(b) an occupant of a motor vehicle in which all seatbelts are being used by other occupants;
(c) an operator of a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle;
(d) an occupant of a vehicle licensed as special mobile equipment; or
(e) an occupant who makes frequent stops with a motor vehicle during official job duties and who may be exempted by the department.
(3) The department or its agent may not require a driver who may be in violation of this section to stop except:
(a) upon reasonable cause to believe that the driver has violated another traffic regulation or that the driver's vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required by law; or
(b) if a person in the vehicle who is under 6 years of age and weighs less than 60 pounds is not properly restrained under 61-9-420 or this section.

Legislative History

En. Sec. 3, Ch. 439, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 407, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 234, Ch. 542, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 242, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 280, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 335, L. 2019.