Roadwise States Montana Driving lessons Alcohol laws, open containers and reporting Montana driving lesson · Fitness to Drive
Alcohol laws, open containers and reporting A 3-minute lesson from the Montana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Fitness to Drive
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 82 Montana's drinking-and-driving penalties are severe, and the legal limit is lower for drivers under 21. Refusing a test can cost you your license, and an open container in the passenger area is an offense on its own.
Know the rule
You may not buy or consume alcohol unless you are 21 or older.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ BAC Blood alcohol concentration: the percentage of alcohol in your blood, usually measured by a breath, blood or urine test.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Know the rule
If a police officer asks you to take a test, you must. You can lose your driver license if you refuse a BAC test.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Know the rule
Second and later convictions carry much worse penalties.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Open containers must be kept In a locked glove compartment or storage compartment In a trunk, luggage compartment, truck bed or cargo compartment If there's no trunk: behind the last upright seat, or in a closed container outside the occupied area Handbook p. 82 ↗ Exceptions to the open container law Containers with an unbroken seal and none of the contents removed Open containers in the living quarters of a camper, travel trailer or motor home Passengers of a hired driver in a bus, taxi or limousine Handbook p. 82 ↗ Report a Drunk Driver Call local law enforcement or the Montana Highway Patrol Give the vehicle's description and direction of travel You don't have to give your name Toll-free: 1-800-525-5555 71% of suspects contacted are arrested for drunk driving Handbook p. 82 ↗ Put it into practice
Your friend wants to bring a half-finished bottle of wine home from dinner. Recork it and put it in the trunk. In the cup holder or on the seat, it's an open container in the passenger area — an offense.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a driver 21 or older in Montana? 0.08% 0.05% 0.02% 0.10% Answer: 0.08%
Drivers 21 and older can be arrested for a BAC of 0.08% or more.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ What is the legal BAC limit for a driver under 21 in Montana? 0.00% 0.02% 0.05% 0.08% Answer: 0.02%
Drivers under 21 face a much lower legal limit of 0.02% BAC.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ What happens if you refuse to take a BAC test when a police officer asks? Nothing, refusal has no consequence You are only fined $20 You can lose your driver license You must retake the written test Answer: You can lose your driver license
Refusing a BAC test when lawfully requested can result in the loss of your driver license.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ What is the fine range for a first alcohol-related driving conviction? $50 to $200 $1,000 to $2,500 $500 to $2,000 $300 to $1,000, plus court costs Answer: $300 to $1,000, plus court costs
A first alcohol conviction carries a fine of $300 to $1,000, plus court charges.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ How long is your license suspended after a first alcohol conviction? Six months Thirty days One year Ninety days Answer: Six months
A first alcohol violation conviction results in a six-month license suspension, in addition to fines and possible jail time.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Where may you legally store an open container of alcohol while driving? In the center console within reach On the passenger seat if capped In the trunk or a locked storage compartment Anywhere as long as the driver doesn't drink it Answer: In the trunk or a locked storage compartment
Open containers must be kept in a locked glove box, trunk, or similar compartment not normally occupied by driver or passengers.
Handbook p. 82 ↗ Previous lesson How alcohol affects you Next lesson Drugs, health and emotions About the source Roadwise’s Montana course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 82. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Montana’s MVD. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.