reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-217. Spot lamps, fog lamps, and auxiliary lamps

61-9-217. Spot lamps, fog lamps, and auxiliary lamps.
(1) A motor vehicle may not be equipped with more than two spot lamps and a lighted spot lamp must be turned off upon approaching another moving vehicle from either direction.
(2) A motor vehicle may not be equipped with more than two fog lamps that provide a low, wide-angle light pattern to increase short-range visibility. Fog lamps must be mounted on the front at a height not more than 30 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle at a distance of 25 feet ahead projects higher than a level of 4 inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the requirements of this subsection may be used with lower headlamp beams as specified in 61-9-220(2). A fog lamp may not be used as a substitute for headlamps.
(3) A motor vehicle may not be equipped with more than two auxiliary driving lamps that produce a long-range, pencil-shaped light pattern and that are used to supplement the upper beams of headlamps. Auxiliary driving lamps must be mounted on the front at a height not less than 16 inches or more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of 61-9-220 apply to a combination of headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps. An auxiliary driving lamp may not be used as a substitute for headlamps or lighted at any time the headlamps are required to be on in the low-beam position.
(4) An auxiliary off-road lamp mounted more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands may not be lighted while the vehicle is operated or parked on a highway.
History: En. Sec. 128, Ch. 263, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 147, L. 1957; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-131; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-218. Signal lamps and signal devices -- when required

61-9-218. Signal lamps and signal devices -- when required.
(1) A motor vehicle or combination of vehicles may be equipped and when required under this chapter must be equipped with signal lamps showing to the front and rear for the purpose of indicating an intention to turn either to the right or left. The lamps showing to the front must be located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. Except as provided in subsection (3), when in use, the lamps must display a white or amber light, or a shade of color between white and amber, visible from a distance of not less than 300 feet to the front in normal sunlight. The lamps showing to the rear must be located at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. Except as provided in subsection (3), when in use, the lamps must display a red or amber light, or a shade of color between red and amber, visible from a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear in normal sunlight. When actuated the lamps must indicate the intended direction of turning by flashing the lights showing to the front and rear on the side toward which the turn is made.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer must be equipped with signal lamps meeting the requirements of this section.
(3) On a motor vehicle manufactured or assembled before January 1, 1964, the signal lamps required by this section must be visible from a distance of not less than 100 feet. Signal lamps are not required on any vehicle manufactured or assembled before January 1, 1953.
(4) A stop lamp or signal lamp or device may not project a glaring light.
History: En. Sec. 130, Ch. 263, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 105, L. 1957; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-133; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-219. Additional lighting equipment

61-9-219. Additional lighting equipment.
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running board courtesy lamp on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(3) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two backup lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but any such backup lamps shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(4) Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing, and when so equipped may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this chapter. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
History: En. Sec. 131, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-134.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-220. Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment

61-9-220. Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.
Except as provided in this part, the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamps or combination of both on a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, quadricycle, motor-driven cycle, or low-speed electric vehicle, must be arranged so that the driver may select between distributions of light projected to different elevations. The selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:
(1) There must be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, capable of revealing persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead for all conditions of loading.
(2) There must be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, capable of revealing persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead. On a straight level road under any condition of loading the high-intensity portion of the beam may not be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.
(3) A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, quadricycle, motor-driven cycle, or low-speed electric vehicle, manufactured after January 1, 1956, that has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment must be equipped with a beam indicator that must be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlamps is in use, and may not otherwise be lighted. The indicator must be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle.
History: En. Sec. 132, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-135; amd. Sec. 39, Ch. 516, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 431, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 209, L. 2011.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-221. Use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment

61-9-221. Use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.
Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent to a roadway during the times specified in 61-9-201, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, capable of revealing persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
(1) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 1,000 feet, the driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam that does not project into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light specified in 61-9-220(2) must avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.
(2) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within 500 feet to the rear, the driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under this chapter other than the uppermost distribution of light specified in 61-9-220(1).
History: En. Sec. 133, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-136; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-222. Single-beam road-lighting equipment

61-9-222. Single-beam road-lighting equipment.
Headlamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light shall be permitted on motor vehicles manufactured and sold prior to July 1, 1956, in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment herein specified if the single distribution of light complies with the following requirements and limitations:
(1) The headlamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity portion of the light shall at a distance of 25 feet ahead project higher than a level of 5 inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes, and in no case higher than 42 inches above the level on which the vehicle stands at a distance of 75 feet ahead.
(2) The intensity shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 200 feet.
History: En. Sec. 134, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-137.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-223. Lighting equipment on motor-driven cycles

61-9-223. Lighting equipment on motor-driven cycles.
The headlamp or headlamps upon every motor-driven cycle may be of the single-beam or multiple-beam type but in either event shall comply with the requirements and limitations as follows:
(1) Every said headlamp or headlamps on a motor-driven cycle shall be of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or a vehicle at a distance of not less than 100 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at any speed less than 25 miles per hour and at a distance of not less than 200 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at a speed of 25 or more miles per hour, and at a distance of not less than 300 feet when the motor-driven cycle is operated at a speed of 35 or more miles per hour.
(2) In the event the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a multiple-beam headlamp or headlamps the upper beam shall meet the minimum requirements set forth above and shall not exceed the limitations set forth in 61-9-220(1) and the lowermost beam shall meet the requirements applicable to a lowermost distribution of light as set forth in 61-9-220(2).
(3) In the event the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a single-beam lamp or lamps, said lamp or lamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is loaded none of the high-intensity portion of light at a distance of 25 feet ahead shall project higher than the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes.
History: En. Sec. 135, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-138.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-224. Repealed

61-9-224. Repealed.
Sec. 42, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
History: En. Sec. 136, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-139.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-225. Number of driving lamps required or permitted

61-9-225. Number of driving lamps required or permitted.
(1) At all times specified in 61-9-201, at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, quadricycle, or motor-driven cycle, except when such vehicle is parked, subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
(2) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
History: En. Sec. 137, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-140; amd. Sec. 40, Ch. 516, L. 1985.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-226. Special restrictions on lamps -- definition

61-9-226. Special restrictions on lamps -- definition.
(1) A lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle other than headlamps, spot lamps, auxiliary lamps, or flashing turn signals, emergency vehicle warning lamps, and school bus warning lamps that projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower must be so directed that the high intensity portion of the beam may not strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
(2) A person may not drive or move a vehicle or equipment upon a highway with a lamp or device displaying a red light visible from in front of the center of the vehicle. This section does not apply to a vehicle upon which a red light visible from the front is expressly authorized or required by this code.
(3) Flashing, blinking, sequential, rotating, or pulsating lights are prohibited except on vehicles that are authorized by this chapter to contain the lights or on a vehicle as a means for indicating a right or left turn or the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing.
(4) License plate decorative lighting that is not original manufacturer's equipment or undercarriage decorative lighting that rotates, flashes, or oscillates or that displays a color authorized by this chapter for use by police vehicles and authorized emergency vehicles may not be illuminated on a vehicle that is operated upon a highway or street.
(5) As used in this section "school bus" has the meaning provided in 20-10-101.
History: En. Sec. 138, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-141; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 431, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 214, Ch. 542, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-227. Blinker-type or revolving red light on certain private vehicles -- use -- identification card

61-9-227. Blinker-type or revolving red light on certain private vehicles -- use -- identification card.
(1) Firefighters, when authorized by the chiefs of their respective departments, and search and rescue and volunteer emergency medical personnel, when authorized by the county sheriff, may use a blinker-type or revolving red light or both on the front or the top of their privately owned motor vehicles. This light must be used on emergency duty only while responding to but not upon returning from a fire or other emergency.
(2) A firefighter or search and rescue or volunteer emergency medical personnel displaying the emergency red light on a privately owned motor vehicle shall also carry on the vehicle an identification card showing the name of the owner of the vehicle and the organization to which the firefighter or search and rescue or volunteer emergency medical personnel belongs, and bearing the signature of the person authorizing the emergency use of the light.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 154, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 489, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-141.1; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 369, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 20, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-228. Standards for lights on snow-removal equipment

61-9-228. Standards for lights on snow-removal equipment.
(1) The commission shall adopt standards and specifications applicable to headlamps, clearance lamps, and identification and other lamps on snow-removal equipment when operated on the highways of this state in lieu of the lamps otherwise required on motor vehicles by this chapter. The standards and specifications may permit the use of flashing lights and all colored lights, except blue lights, for purposes of identification on snow-removal equipment when in service on the highways.
(2) It is unlawful to operate any snow-removal equipment on any highway unless the lamps on the equipment comply with and are lighted when and as required by the standards and specifications adopted as provided in this section.
History: En. Sec. 139, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-142; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 201, L. 2021.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 2. Lighting Equipment › 61-9-229. Flashing amber light on mail delivery vehicle

61-9-229. Flashing amber light on mail delivery vehicle.
(1) A vehicle engaged in delivery of United States mail may be equipped with a blinker-type or revolving amber light mounted on the top of the vehicle, and the light may be illuminated while the vehicle is engaged in delivery of mail.
(2) A person delivering the United States mail and illuminating an amber light on a privately owned motor vehicle shall carry attached to the motor vehicle an identification card showing the name of the owner of the vehicle and signed by the postmaster authorizing the use of the amber light.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 285, L. 1987.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-301. Brake equipment required

61-9-301. Brake equipment required.
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer, and any combination of such vehicles operating upon a highway within this state shall be equipped with brakes in compliance with the requirements of this part.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(part).
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-302. Service brakes -- adequacy

61-9-302. Service brakes -- adequacy.
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer and combination of these vehicles, except special mobile equipment, must be equipped with service brakes complying with the performance requirements of 61-9-312 and adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle under all conditions of loading and on any grade incident to its operation.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(a); amd. Sec. 215, Ch. 542, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-303. Parking brakes -- adequacy

61-9-303. Parking brakes -- adequacy.
Every such vehicle and combination of vehicles, except motorcycles, quadricycles, and motor-driven cycles, shall be equipped with parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade on which it is operated, under all conditions of loading, on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material. The parking brakes shall be capable of being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements by the driver's muscular effort or by spring action or by equivalent means. Their operation may be assisted by the service brakes or other source of power, provided that failure of the service brake actuation system or other power assisting mechanism will not prevent the parking brakes from being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements. The parking brakes shall be so designed that when once applied they shall remain applied with the required effectiveness despite exhaustion of any source of energy or leakage of any kind. The same brake drums, brake shoes and lining assemblies, brake shoe anchors and mechanical brake shoe actuation mechanism normally associated with the wheel brake assemblies may be used for both the service brakes and the parking brakes. If the means of applying the parking brakes and the service brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part shall not leave the vehicle without operative brakes.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(b); amd. Sec. 41, Ch. 516, L. 1985.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-304. Brakes required on all wheels -- exceptions

61-9-304. Brakes required on all wheels -- exceptions.
Every vehicle must be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels except:
(1) trailers, semitrailers, pole trailers of a gross weight not exceeding 3,000 pounds, provided that:
(a) the total weight on and including the wheels of the trailer or trailers may not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle when connected to the trailer or trailers; and
(b) the combination of vehicles consisting of the towing vehicle and its total towed load is capable of complying with the performance requirements of 61-9-312;
(2) any vehicle being towed in driveaway or towaway operations, provided the combination of vehicles is capable of complying with the performance requirements of 61-9-312;
(3) trucks and truck tractors having three or more axles need not have brakes on the front wheels, if the vehicle was manufactured before July 25, 1980. However, the trucks and truck tractors must be capable of complying with the performance requirements of 61-9-312.
(4) special mobile equipment;
(5) the wheel of a sidecar attached to a motorcycle or to a motor-driven cycle, or the front wheel of a motor-driven cycle need not be equipped with brakes. However, a quadricycle, motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle must be capable of complying with the performance requirements of 61-9-312.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(c); amd. Sec. 42, Ch. 516, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 276, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 216, Ch. 542, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-305. Automatic trailer brake application upon breakaway

61-9-305. Automatic trailer brake application upon breakaway.
Every trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer equipped with air or vacuum actuated brakes and every trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer with a gross weight in excess of 3,000 pounds, manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1966, shall be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels and of such character as to be applied automatically and promptly, and remain applied for at least 15 minutes upon breakaway from the towing vehicle.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(d).
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-306. Tractor brakes protected

61-9-306. Tractor brakes protected.
Every motor vehicle manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1966, and used to tow a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer equipped with brakes shall be equipped with means for providing that in case of breakaway of the towed vehicle, the towing vehicle will be capable of being stopped by the use of its service brakes.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(e).
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-307. Trailer air reservoirs safeguarded

61-9-307. Trailer air reservoirs safeguarded.
Air brake systems installed on trailers manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1966, shall be so designed that the supply reservoir used to provide air for the brakes shall be safeguarded against backflow of air from the reservoir through the supply line.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(f).
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-308. Two means of emergency brake operation

61-9-308. Two means of emergency brake operation.
(1) A towing vehicle, when used to tow another vehicle equipped with air controlled brakes, in other than driveaway or towaway operations, must be equipped with two means for emergency application of the trailer brakes. One of these means must apply the brakes automatically in the event of a reduction of the towing vehicle air supply to a fixed pressure that may not be lower than 20 pounds per square inch or higher than 45 pounds per square inch. The other means must be a manually controlled device for applying and releasing the brakes, readily operable by a person seated in the driving seat, and its emergency position or method of operation must be clearly indicated. The manual means may not be arranged to prevent operation of the automatic means. The automatic and the manual means required by this section may be separate.
(2) A towing vehicle used to tow other vehicles equipped with vacuum brakes, in operations other than driveaway or towaway operations, must have, in addition to the single control device required by 61-9-309, a second control device that can be used to operate the brakes on towed vehicles in emergencies. The second control must be independent of brake air, hydraulic, and other pressure, and independent of other controls, unless the braking system is so arranged that failure of the pressure upon which the second control depends causes the towed vehicle brakes to be applied automatically. The second control is not required to provide modulated braking.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(g); amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-309. Single control to operate all brakes

61-9-309. Single control to operate all brakes.
A motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, and a combination of these vehicles, except motorcycles, quadricycles, and motor-driven cycles, equipped with brakes must have one control device that can be used to operate all service brakes. This requirement does not prohibit vehicles from being equipped with an additional control device to operate brakes on the towed vehicles. This regulation does not apply to driveaway or towaway operations unless the brakes on the individual vehicles can be operated by a single control on the towing vehicle.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(h); amd. Sec. 43, Ch. 516, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-310. Reservoir capacity and check valve

61-9-310. Reservoir capacity and check valve.
(1) A bus, truck, or truck tractor with air operated brakes must be equipped with at least one reservoir sufficient to ensure that, when fully charged to the maximum pressure as regulated by the air compressor governor cutout setting, a full service brake application is made without lowering the reservoir pressure by more than 20%. Each reservoir must be provided with means for readily draining accumulated oil or water.
(2) A truck with three or more axles equipped with vacuum assistor type brakes or a truck tractor and truck used for towing a vehicle equipped with vacuum brakes must be equipped with a reserve capacity or a vacuum reservoir sufficient to ensure that, with the reserve capacity or reservoir fully charged and with the engine stopped, a full service brake application is made without depleting the vacuum supply by more than 40%.
(3) A motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, when equipped with air or vacuum reservoirs or reserve capacity as required by this section, must have reservoirs or reserve capacity safeguarded by a check valve or equivalent device that, in the event of failure or leakage in its connection to the source of compressed air or vacuum, prevents the stored air or vacuum from being depleted by the leak or failure.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(i); amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-311. Warning devices

61-9-311. Warning devices.
(1) A bus, truck, or truck tractor using compressed air for the operation of its own brakes or the brakes on a towed vehicle must have a warning signal, other than a pressure gauge, readily audible or visible to the driver that will operate at any time the air reservoir pressure of the vehicle is below 60 pounds per square inch. In addition, each vehicle must be equipped with a pressure gauge visible to the driver that indicates in pounds per square inch the pressure available for braking.
(2) A truck tractor, truck used for towing a vehicle equipped with vacuum operated brakes, or a truck with three or more axles using vacuum in the operation of its brakes, except those in driveaway or towaway operations, must be equipped with a warning signal, other than a gauge indicating vacuum, readily audible or visible to the driver that will operate at any time the vacuum in the vehicle's supply reservoir or reserve capacity is less than 8 inches of mercury.
(3) When a vehicle required to be equipped with a warning device is equipped with both air and vacuum power for the operation of its own brakes or the brakes on a towed vehicle, the warning devices may be combined into a single device that will serve both purposes. A gauge or gauges indicating pressure or vacuum is not an adequate means of satisfying this requirement.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.1(j); amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-312. Performance ability of brakes

61-9-312. Performance ability of brakes.
On a dry, hard, approximately level stretch of highway free from loose material, a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, upon application of the service brake, must be capable of stopping at a speed of 20 miles an hour within the following distances:
(1) 25 feet for passenger motor vehicles, except buses and pioneer vehicles;
(2) 40 feet for buses, trucks, and tractor trucks;
(3) 45 feet for motor vehicles registered or qualified to be registered as pioneer vehicles under 61-3-411(2)(a) when equipped with two-wheel brakes or 25 feet when equipped with four-wheel brakes;
(4) 40 feet for all combinations of vehicles; and
(5) 30 feet for motorcycles, quadricycles, and motor-driven cycles.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.2; amd. Sec. 44, Ch. 516, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 431, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 178, Ch. 574, L. 2001.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-313. Maintenance of brakes

61-9-313. Maintenance of brakes.
All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to operate as equally as practicable with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.3.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-314. Hydraulic brake fluid

61-9-314. Hydraulic brake fluid.
(1) The term "hydraulic brake fluid" as used in this section shall mean the liquid medium through which force is transmitted to the brakes in the hydraulic brake system of a vehicle.
(2) Hydraulic brake fluid shall be distributed and serviced with due regard for the safety of the occupants of the vehicle and the public.
(3) The department shall, after public hearing following due notice, adopt and enforce regulations for the administration of this section and shall adopt and publish standards and specifications for hydraulic brake fluid which shall correlate with, and so far as practicable conform to, the then current standards and specifications of the society of automotive engineers applicable to such fluid.
(4) No person shall distribute, have for sale, offer for sale, or sell any hydraulic brake fluid unless it complies with the requirements of this section. No person shall service any vehicle with brake fluid unless it complies with the requirements of this section.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 139, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-143.4; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-315. Brakes on motor-driven cycles

61-9-315. Brakes on motor-driven cycles.
(1) The department is authorized to require an inspection of the brake on any motor-driven cycle and to disapprove any brake which it finds will not comply with the performance ability standard set forth in this part or which in its opinion is not designed or constructed to insure reasonable and reliable performance in actual use.
(2) The department may refuse to register or may suspend or revoke the registration of any vehicle referred to in this section when it has been determined that the brake thereon does not comply with the provisions of this section.
(3) No person may operate on any highway any vehicle referred to in this section if the department has disapproved the brake equipment upon such vehicle or type of vehicle.
History: En. Sec. 141, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-144; amd. Sec. 72, Ch. 421, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 3. Brakes › 61-9-321. Engine compression brake device -- use

61-9-321. Engine compression brake device -- use.
(1) A commercial motor vehicle equipped with an engine compression brake device must be equipped with a muffler in good working condition to prevent excessive noise.
(2) An operator of a commercial motor vehicle that has an engine compression brake device with a factory-installed muffler or an equivalent after-market muffler may not be prohibited from using the engine compression brake device.
(3) The department of transportation employees who are designated as peace officers pursuant to 61-10-154 shall work with law enforcement in the enforcement of standards adopted pursuant to this section.
(4) Notice of a deficiency must be given pursuant to 61-9-501.
(5) A violation of the rules adopted to implement to this section is punishable as provided in 61-9-521.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 357, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 217, Ch. 542, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 146, L. 2009.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-401. Horns, security alarms, and warning devices

61-9-401. Horns, security alarms, and warning devices.
(1) A motor vehicle when operated upon a highway must be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. A horn or other warning device may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation give audible warning with the horn but may not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway.
(2) A vehicle may not be equipped with and a person may not use upon a vehicle a siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.
(3) A vehicle may be equipped with a security alarm signal device that cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal while the vehicle is in motion.
(4) An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet and of a type approved by the department. The siren may not be used except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which event the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the vehicle's approach.
History: En. Sec. 142, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-145; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-403. Mufflers -- prevention of noise

61-9-403. Mufflers -- prevention of noise.
(1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.
(2) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
History: En. Sec. 143, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-146.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-404. Mirrors

61-9-404. Mirrors.
A motor vehicle must be equipped with a mirror that reflects to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the motor vehicle.
History: En. Sec. 144, Ch. 263, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 113, L. 1959; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-147; amd. Sec. 28, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-407. Fenders, splash aprons, or flaps required on certain vehicles -- dimension and location

61-9-407. Fenders, splash aprons, or flaps required on certain vehicles -- dimension and location.
(1) A person may not move, or permit to be moved, a vehicle, except a motorcycle, quadricycle, motor-driven cycle, or farm tractor, as defined in this title, upon the public highways without having first equipped the rearmost wheels or set of wheels of the vehicle with fenders, splash aprons, or flaps. The fenders, splash aprons, or flaps must be designed, constructed, and attached to the vehicle in a manner that arrests and deflects dirt, mud, water, rocks, and other substances that may be picked up by the rear wheels of the vehicle and thrown into the air, as follows:
(a) If the vehicle is equipped with fenders, the fenders must extend in full width from a point above and forward of the center of the tire or tires over and to the rear of the tires.
(b) If the vehicle is equipped with splash aprons or flaps, the splash aprons or flaps must extend downward in full width from a point not lower than halfway between the center of the tire or tires and the top of the tire or tires and to the rear of the tires.
(c) If the vehicle is in excess of 8,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or rating, the fenders, splash aprons, or flaps must extend downward to a point that is not more than 10 inches above the surface of the highway when the vehicle is empty.
(d) If the vehicle is 8,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight or rating, the fenders, splash aprons, or flaps must extend downward to a point that is not more than 20 inches above the surface of the highway when the vehicle is empty.
(2) Fenders, splash aprons, or flaps, as used in subsection (1), must be constructed as follows:
(a) when measured on the cross-sections of the tread of the wheel or on the combined cross-sections of the treads of multiple wheels, the fender, splash apron, or flap extends at least to each side of the width of the tire or of the combined width of the multiple tires; and
(b) the fender, splash apron, or flap is capable at all times of arresting and deflecting dirt, mud, water, or other substance that may be picked up and carried by the wheel or wheels.
(3) This section does not apply to a street rod as defined in 61-1-101, motor vehicles not originally equipped with fenders, splash aprons, or flaps, or motor vehicles for which fenders, splash aprons, or flaps were not required by federal law or regulation at the time of manufacture.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 286, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-149.1(a), (b); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 65, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 791, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 30, Ch. 431, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 458, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-408. Safety glazing material in motor vehicles

61-9-408. Safety glazing material in motor vehicles.
(1) A person may not sell a new motor vehicle and a new motor vehicle may not be registered unless the vehicle is equipped with safety glazing material wherever glazing material is used in doors, windows, and windshields. These provisions apply to all passenger-type motor vehicles, including passenger buses and school buses. With respect to trucks, including truck tractors, the requirements as to safety glazing material apply to all glazing material used in doors, windows, and windshields in the driver's compartments of the vehicles.
(2) The term "safety glazing materials" means glazing materials constructed, treated, or combined with other materials to reduce substantially in comparison with ordinary sheet glass or plate glass the likelihood of injury to persons by objects from exterior sources or by these safety glazing materials when they may be cracked or broken.
History: En. Sec. 147, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-150; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-409. Seatbelts required in vehicles manufactured after 1964

61-9-409. Seatbelts required in vehicles manufactured after 1964.
(1) An automobile that was manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1965, and on or before January 1, 1968, must be equipped with safety belts installed for use in the left front and right front seats.
(2) A motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968, must be equipped at each designated seating position with a safety belt system required for that seating position by the standards of the United States department of transportation at the time that the vehicle was manufactured.
(3) The safety belts required by this section must remain installed and in good working condition.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 115, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-150.1; amd. Sec. 32, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-410. Repealed

61-9-410. Repealed.
Sec. 42, Ch. 431, L. 1997.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 115, L. 1965; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-150.2; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-411. Certain vehicles to carry flares or other warning devices

61-9-411. Certain vehicles to carry flares or other warning devices.
(1) No person shall operate any motor truck of 1-ton capacity or greater, passenger bus, or truck tractor upon any highway outside the corporate limits of municipalities at any time unless there shall be carried in such vehicle, except as provided in subsection (2), the following equipment:
(a) at least three flares or three red electric lanterns or three portable red emergency reflectors each of which shall be capable of being seen and distinguished at a distance of not less than 600 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at nighttime. No portable reflector unit shall be used for the purpose of compliance with the requirements of this section unless it is so designed and constructed as to display a minimum of 24 square inches of reflective surface, or two reflecting elements; one above the other, either of which shall be capable of reflecting red light clearly visible from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps;
(b) at least three red-burning fusees unless red electric lanterns or red portable emergency reflectors are carried;
(c) at least two red cloth flags, no less than 12 inches square, with standards to support such flags.
(2) No person shall operate at the time and under the conditions stated in subsection (1) any motor vehicle used for the transportation of explosives, any cargo tank truck used for the transportation of flammable liquids or compressed gases, or any motor vehicle using compressed gas as a fuel unless there shall be carried in such vehicle three red electric lanterns or three portable red emergency reflectors meeting the requirements of subsection (1), and there shall not be carried in any said vehicle any flares, fusees, or signal produced by flame.
(3) As an alternative to the equipment required in subsections (1) and (2), three emergency reflective triangles conforming with U.S. department of transportation motor vehicle safety standard 125 may be carried.
History: En. Sec. 148, Ch. 263, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 108, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 70, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-151.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-413. Vehicles transporting explosives

61-9-413. Vehicles transporting explosives.
(1) Any person operating any vehicle transporting any explosive as a cargo or part of a cargo upon a highway shall at all times comply with the provisions of this section.
(2) Said vehicle shall be marked or placarded on each side and the rear with the word "EXPLOSIVES" in letters not less than 8 inches high, or there shall be displayed on the rear of such vehicle a red flag not less than 24 inches square marked with the word "DANGER" in white letters 6 inches high.
(3) Every said vehicle shall be equipped with not less than two fire extinguishers, filled and ready for immediate use, and placed at a convenient point on the vehicle so used.
(4) The department is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate such additional regulations governing the transportation of explosives and other dangerous articles by vehicles upon the highway as it shall deem advisable for the protection of the public.
History: En. Sec. 150, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-153; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment › Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations › 61-9-414. Logging trucks

61-9-414. Logging trucks.
(1) A truck or truck trailer combination, except pole trailers, actively engaged in transporting logs must be equipped with chains, cables, steel straps, or fiber webbing with working load limits that meet or exceed the manufacturer's marked value. The number of tie-down assemblies must be determined by the working load limits and the total weight of the load. The working load limits must equal or exceed 1 1/2 times the total weight of the load.
(2) A pole trailer actively engaged in transporting logs upon the highways of the state must be equipped as follows:
(a) At least three wrappers are required as standard equipment. The wrappers must:
(i) have a minimum working load limit of at least 3,000 pounds; and
(ii) be long enough to encompass any load when secured by a binder.
(b) (i) Wrappers used to secure loads of logs together must be fastened by means of a binder.
(ii) The complete wrapper and binder assembly must have a working load limit of at least 3,000 pounds.
(iii) The handle, or leverage portion of the binder, when in use in tightening and holding the wrapper, must be securely fastened to the wrapper or to the binder so that it cannot be accidentally loosened.
(c) At least two wrappers must be in use on all loads. The wrappers must be placed as close as reasonably possible to the front and rear bunks.
(d) If short logs are loaded on top of longer logs, sufficient wrappers must be used to secure both ends of the short logs to the main body of the load. A log may not extend laterally beyond the stakes that form the outer boundary of the load at the top of the stakes. Logs or poles loaded above the tops of the stakes must be loaded in a pyramidal fashion.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "binder" means a device attached to a wrapper that provides tension on and secures a wrapper; and
(b) "wrapper" means an indirect tie-down device, the tension of which is intended to secure a stack of logs.
History: En. Sec. 119, Ch. 263, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 233, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 182, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-122(part); amd. Sec. 33, Ch. 431, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 373, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 298, L. 2007.