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Montana Probationary License Auto Insurance

Montana requires 25/50/20 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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Montana at a Glance

25/50/20

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Optional

PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law

$100

State license reinstatement fee

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Montana

Montana operates under a traditional tort liability system where the at-fault driver's insurance pays for damages. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division requires continuous proof of insurance through SR-22 filing for all probationary license holders following DUI conviction. Montana's probationary license program is administrative—you apply directly through the Motor Vehicle Division with documented proof of ignition interlock device installation, SR-22 filing, and employer or school verification for approved-purpose driving.

Liability Insurance

Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident. Probationary license holders face elevated premiums because carriers view post-DUI drivers as high-liability risks, with many Montana insurers requiring 50/100/25 minimums for SR-22 policies regardless of state law.

SR-22 Insurance Filing

SR-22 is not a coverage type but a certificate your insurer files with Montana Motor Vehicle Division proving you carry continuous liability coverage at or above state minimums. Montana requires the full three-year SR-22 duration to run uninterrupted; a single-day lapse restarts the clock from the date you refile.

Ignition Interlock Device Coverage

Montana law mandates ignition interlock device installation on all vehicles you operate during the probationary license period, typically 6 months to 1 year depending on BAC level and prior offenses. Some Montana carriers bundle IID-related endorsements into high-risk policies, but most probationary license holders pay IID costs out-of-pocket as a condition of license reinstatement.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and vehicle damage when an at-fault driver carries no insurance or insufficient limits. Montana does not require UM coverage, but state law mandates carriers offer it at limits matching your liability policy—you must reject it in writing at policy inception or it adds automatically.

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision damage to your vehicle (theft, vandalism, hail, wildlife strikes), while collision pays for crash damage regardless of fault. Montana law does not require either coverage, but lenders mandate both if you carry a loan or lease. Montana's high wildlife collision rate—especially deer and elk strikes along rural highways—makes comprehensive coverage a practical necessity in areas outside Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls, where animal-vehicle crashes peak during fall migration.

What Drivers Pay in Montana

$184–$378/mo

Typical monthly rate in Montana, high-risk drivers after a DUI

Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026

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If your license is suspended

Probationary Driver License (Restricted Probationary)

A restricted license is available while suspended.

A coverage lapse is reported

The state can act when your insurance lapses.

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Montana require SR-22 filing for a probationary license after DUI?

Montana Motor Vehicle Division requires SR-22 filing for three years from your DUI conviction date, not from the date you file SR-22 or receive your probationary license. A single day of coverage lapse during those three years restarts the clock from the date you refile. Montana does not offer early SR-22 termination for clean driving records—the full three-year duration runs uninterrupted or resets with each lapse.

Can I get a Montana probationary license without installing an ignition interlock device?

No. Montana law mandates ignition interlock device installation on all vehicles you operate as a condition of probationary license eligibility following DUI conviction. You must provide Motor Vehicle Division with IID installation receipt from a state-certified provider before your probationary application is processed. Montana does not grant IID waivers or hardship exemptions for employment, medical needs, or financial constraints.

Which insurance carriers write Montana probationary license SR-22 policies?

Non-standard carriers including Bristol West, Dairyland, and The General actively write Montana SR-22 policies for probationary license holders. Many standard carriers—State Farm, Allstate, GEICO—decline recent DUI applicants or impose six-month waiting periods post-conviction. Regional Montana insurers familiar with Motor Vehicle Division filing protocols often deliver faster SR-22 processing and competitive rates compared to national non-standard chains treating Montana as out-of-footprint specialty business.

Does Montana accept SR-22 filings from out-of-state insurance carriers?

No. Montana Motor Vehicle Division requires SR-22 filings from Montana-licensed carriers only. If you move to Montana with an active out-of-state SR-22 requirement, you must establish Montana residency, secure coverage from a Montana-licensed insurer, and file new SR-22 through MVD within 30 days. Your previous state's SR-22 filing does not transfer, and Montana does not recognize foreign filings for probationary license eligibility or continuous insurance verification.

Can I drive in other states with a Montana probationary license?

Montana probationary licenses are valid for approved-purpose driving only—employment, education, medical treatment, and IID calibration appointments. Interstate travel falls outside approved purposes unless your employer or medical provider is located across state lines and documented in your Motor Vehicle Division application. Driving outside Montana for non-approved purposes violates probationary conditions and triggers license suspension. Montana law enforcement cannot monitor out-of-state travel, but violations discovered during traffic stops or accidents result in immediate probationary license revocation.

Coverage Types

Montana Probationary License Requirements

Montana Motor Vehicle Division grants probationary licenses administratively after DUI conviction, requiring SR-22 filing, ignition interlock installation, and documented proof of approved-purpose driving needs (employment, education, medical treatment). Probationary license holders may drive only for approved purposes during designated hours with IID-equipped vehicles.

Ignition Interlock Device Insurance

Montana law requires IID installation on all vehicles operated during probationary license periods, with monthly monitoring fees ($75–$125) and installation costs ($150–$300) paid separately from insurance premiums. Carriers do not cover IID expenses under standard policies, though some non-standard insurers offer bundled high-risk packages including device damage liability endorsements.

High-Risk Auto Insurance

Non-standard or high-risk carriers specialize in SR-22 policies for probationary license holders and post-DUI drivers rejected by standard insurers. Montana's non-standard market includes regional specialists writing approved-purpose coverage with higher premiums but fewer underwriting restrictions on recent DUI convictions.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Montana's uninsured driver rate runs approximately 11%, with rural counties reporting higher percentages due to limited enforcement and economic factors. UM coverage pays your medical bills and vehicle repairs when an at-fault driver carries no insurance or insufficient limits to cover your damages.

Comprehensive Coverage for Wildlife Collisions

Montana leads the nation in deer and elk collision frequency per mile driven, particularly along rural highways during fall migration. Comprehensive coverage pays for animal-strike damage, vehicle theft, vandalism, and weather-related losses without deductible waivers for wildlife claims in most policies.

SR-22 Filing for Out-of-State Transfers

Montana does not accept out-of-state SR-22 filings for probationary license holders—you must establish Montana residency, secure a Montana-licensed carrier, and file SR-22 through Montana Motor Vehicle Division even if you maintain valid insurance in your previous state. Probationary license eligibility requires Montana DUI conviction or administrative license suspension processed through MVD.

Find Your City in Montana

Billings

suburban

Missoula

suburban

Great Falls

suburban

Bozeman

urban

Butte

urban