Do you want to know how many points you’ve accumulated in your Montana driving record?

If so, you’ll have to request a copy of your driving record from the Montana MVD. 

Now, there are 3 ways you can request for it:

• Online
• In-person
• Mail

In this article, we’re going to give you a complete guide on how to get a driving record in Montana. We’ll also discuss the Montana points system, types of Montana driving records, and more. 

So let’s get started!

What Information is on a Montana Driving Record? 

Your Montana driving record is a comprehensive report of your history as a driver. It is maintained and updated by the Montana MVD as they receive reports from court cases, legislation, data sources, and judicial rulings.

A Montana driving record contains five sections of information:

• Personal history
• License status
• Convictions and accidents 
• Driver’s license sanctions
• Motor vehicle accident history

What are the Types of Driving Records in Montana?

Montana drivers can request either a basic driver record or a commercial driver record.

Alternatively, a certified driver record may be requested if the driving record is going to be used in legal or court proceedings.

Basic Driver Record

In this driving record, you will find a compilation of a driver’s lifetime driving history, including personal history, license information, convictions, sanctions, and motor vehicle accidents.

It will not contain information on a driver’s medical status, expiration date, and self-certification.

Commercial Driver Record

The Montana commercial driver record contains all the information in a basic driver record, plus information specific to commercial Montana drivers, such as medical qualifications.

This type of driving record is only available to authorized entities by the Montana MVD.

Certified Driver Record

A certified copy of the basic or commercial driver record contains the same information but with additional writing certifying the information to be true and correct.

You might need to obtain a certified copy of your driving record to submit in court if you were convicted of a traffic violation.

How to Request For a Montana Driving Record

Montana drivers and authorized entities can request a copy of a driver record online, in person, or by mail.

Let’s discuss the steps for each one. 

Online

To get your own driving record, visit the Montana MVD Driver History Records Service website and log in as a “Public User.”

You must provide personal information, including their full name, driver’s license number, and last four digits of their Social Security number.

To proceed, you will then need to confirm the Intended Use Statement, which verifies that you will use the record only for allowed purposes.

Finally, pay the fee of $7.87 with a valid credit card.

With the online service, you will receive the driving record in electronic format. Unfortunately, the record will not be mailed to you, and you will not be able to keep the electronic copy either. 

So if you want a physical copy, you have to immediately download and print the electronic one.

Authorized businesses such as insurance agencies and trucking companies will need to sign up with the Driver History Records Service. They can do this by emailing mtsupport@vitu.com or calling (406) 285-8280.

Once they are a registered user, the business will be able to access records by search.

Aside from the $7.87 fee for each record, there is an annual fee of $100 to register with the Montana online service.

In-Person

For in-person requests, print and fill out the Release of Driving Records form. Then, bring the form to:

Motor Vehicle Division Office

Scott Hart Building, Second Floor, 

302 N. Roberts, Helena, MT

Requestors will need to provide information on the intended use and personal information, including name, company (if applicable), residential and mailing address, driver’s license, and contact details.

If requesting another driver’s record, you only need to provide their full name, date of birth, and driver’s license number.

Diving records requested in-person costs $4.12, while certified copies cost $10.30.

By Mail

For mail orders, send a completed Release of Driving Records form, along with the fees in a check or money order, in a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Motor Vehicle Division

P.O. Box 201430

Helena, MT 

59620-1430

How Does the Points System Work in Montana?

With the Montana Point System, drivers will have points added to their driving record for every traffic violation. 

Accumulating points on your Montana driving record will lead to getting your license suspended or revoked. 

The good news is that points will be automatically removed from your Montana driving record after three years. The convictions will stay permanent on your driving record, though.

Another way you can remove points (or dismiss citations), is to attend a defensive driving course. 

However, you have to make sure that the MT DMV or your court handler will approve of a defensive driving course to remove points/dismiss citations. Unfortunately, most do not allow it, but it’s worth a try anyway.  

Defensive Driving Courses in Montana

Even if it is not accepted to take a defensive driving course to remove points and/or dismiss citations, it is still a good idea to take it. 

This is because you can get an auto insurance discount, avoid traffic violations (and thus tickets and points), and be a better and safer driver. 

If you’re interested, we highly recommend GoToTrafficSchool! 

GoToTrafficSchool is the most affordable online traffic school in Montana –– plus, it’s backed by a full money-back guarantee and the lowest price guarantee. All their study materials, including a comprehensive text-based course and audio read-aloud, are available on any device with internet access. 

Conclusion

Montana drivers can get their license suspended or revoked by accumulating too many points on their record. 

So, if you need to monitor your Montana driving record, you may request a copy online, in person, or by mail. 

And, while you can hardly have points removed with a Montana defensive driving course, it’s the best course of action to avoid traffic tickets and accidents in the future.