Electric Scooter Laws in Montana – Complete Guide 2025
Summary Montana Electric Scooter Law
- Classification: Personal mobility device (new 2025 legislation)
- Min age: 16 years old
- Helmet required: Yes, for riders under 18
- Max speed: 15 mph on sidewalks, 20 mph on roads
- License: Not required Registration: Not required
- Sidewalk riding: Allowed with restrictions
- Bike lane access: Yes
- Scooter sharing present: Limited, varies by city
- Last checked: September 13, 2025
What Montana riders need to know
Montana just got with the times. After years of electric scooters existing in a legal vacuum, the state legislature finally passed some comprehensive regulations in 2025 that make scooters officially legal on public roads and sidewalks. The new law treats them as “personal mobility devices” rather than motor vehicles, which means no license required and very reasonable rules for Montana riders.
Official legal framework
Montana’s new law for 2025 officially recognizes electric scooters as legitimate transportation devices on public roadways, ending years of unclear enforcement where riders weren’t sure if they were technically breaking any laws. The legislation creates a specific “personal mobility device” category that covers electric scooters, hoverboards, and similar smaller electric vehicles.
The new statewide framework provides clear guidelines while still allowing local governments to set additional restrictions for their specific needs.
The law defines personal mobility devices as electrically powered vehicles designed to transport a single person, with handlebars for steering, a maximum speed capability of 20 mph, and weighing less than 100 pounds.
Where you can ride
Roadways and streets: Legal on most public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less. You’ll need to stick to the right side of the road and follow traffic rules like any other vehicle. State highways and interstates are off limits, which makes sense given the speed limitations put on electric scooters.
Bike lanes: Full access to bike lanes wherever they exist. This is probably your best option for most rides since you’re away from both pedestrian and car traffic.
Sidewalks: Here’s where Montana gets interesting compared to other states. Sidewalk riding is allowed, but you’re limited to 15 mph maximum and must yield to pedestrians. In business districts and areas with heavy foot traffic, expect local restrictions or complete sidewalk bans.
Trails and parks: State parks haven’t updated their policies yet to specifically address the new law, so check with individual parks before riding. Many will likely follow the same rules as bicycles, but don’t assume anything until it’s official.
Equipment & vehicle requirements
Montana’s definition covers most riders commuting needs, although I don’t like the limit on speed instead of allowed operating speed for the sake of having more power to tackle hills:
- Maximum weight of 100 pounds
- Single rider design with handlebars
- Top speed capability of 20 mph
- Electric motor only, no gas engines
The law doesn’t specify lighting requirements, but the general rule across all states are at the very least front and rear lights for visibility. Montana roads can be dark, and visibility becomes critical when you’re sharing space with cars and trucks.
Braking systems aren’t specified in the law, but having reliable brakes is obviously always essential.
Rider requirements
Age restrictions: Minimum age of 16 to operate on public roads. Younger riders can use scooters on private property, but public road access starts at 16.
Licensing: No driver’s license required, which is a major advantage over states like Missouri that treat scooters as motor vehicles.
Helmet laws: Mandatory for riders under 18. Once you hit 18, helmets become optional but lets be real, no matter how careful you are there are others out there.
Traffic rules: You’re subject to the same basic traffic laws as bicycles, including stopping at red lights, yielding to pedestrians, and riding in the correct direction of traffic.
Parking, storage & riding etiquette
The new law doesn’t get into specifics when it comes to parking regulations, leaving that to local ordinances.
General principles apply:
- Park in bike parking areas when available
- Keep scooters upright and stable, Montana winds can knock them over easily
- Stay clear of building entrances and emergency access routes
- Watch for “No Motor Vehicle Parking” signs that might technically apply
Winter considerations: Montana winters are brutal on electronics. If you’re storing a scooter outside, battery protection becomes critical. Cold weather kills lithium batteries fast, and road salt corrodes everything it touches.
Enforcement & penalties
Since the law just passed, enforcement patterns aren’t established yet. Expect some inconsistency as local police departments figure out how to handle the new regulations. The penalties will likely follow standard traffic violation structures, but specific fine amounts haven’t been widely publicized yet.
Riding in prohibited areas, or violations involving pedestrian safety will probably get the most attention from law enforcement.
Insurance & liability
Montana doesn’t require insurance for personal mobility devices, but that doesn’t protect you from liability if you cause an accident or property damage. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance might provide some coverage, but get that confirmed in writing before you need it.
Given Montana’s sometimes harsh weather and road conditions, having some form of liability protection makes sense even if it’s not legally required.
Local exceptions to state law
Montana’s new electric scooter law became effective recently, and most cities are still implementing local regulations.
Billings: As of now, no specific electric scooter ordinances have been enacted beyond state requirements. Riders should follow state law and general traffic regulations.
Missoula: Passed definitions of electronic bikes and scooters in November 2024. While the bicycle ordinance prohibits the e-bikes and e-scooters on city sidewalks in the downtown area, they otherwise can be operated anywhere the city allows bicycles to be ridden.
Bozeman: Currently following state regulations without additional local restrictions. The city has been monitoring the implementation of Montana’s new scooter law but hasn’t enacted specific ordinances yet.
Helena: No specific scooter ordinances have been implemented as of September 2025, though additional restrictions around government buildings could be considered in future legislation.
Great Falls: Following state law without additional local restrictions at this time.
University towns: Montana State University has a Personal Transportation Device Policy (updated May 2025) that governs scooter use on campus, separate from city regulations.
Special circumstances
Weather conditions: Montana weather can change dramatically in minutes. Ice, snow, and high winds create serious safety issues for scooter riders. Nothing the state regulates, but great to add into consideration.
Tourist areas: Places like Glacier National Park and Yellowstone have their own regulations that supersede state law. National parks generally don’t allow motorized vehicles on hiking trails.
FAQs
Q: Can I ride my scooter to work now that it’s legal? Yes, as long as you stick to roads with 35 mph speed limits or lower, wear a helmet if you’re under 18, and follow traffic rules.
Q: What about those rental scooters I see in other cities? The state law allows them, but individual cities control whether to permit scooter sharing companies to operate. Expect gradual rollouts in larger cities.
Q: Can I modify my scooter to go faster than 20 mph? That would put it outside the legal definition of a personal mobility device. You’d potentially need motorcycle licensing and registration at that point.
Q: Do I need to register my scooter? No registration required under the state law.
Resources & citations
- Montana Legislature 2025 session personal mobility device legislation
- Montana Department of Transportation – State transportation authority
- Individual city websites for local ordinances and updates
Stay up to date
The legal landscape changes as mass adoption continues, make sure to sign up to our newsletter to keep track of regulatory changes in your state or you can frequently check back to our legal hub to see any changes.
Trust & legal notes
As someone who adopted electric scooters over a decade ago, we know one or two things about what needs regulating and what doesn’t. Montana just caught on and passed its laws very recently and enforcement patterns are still developing. We’ve done our best to cover the topic in full and will continuously update the article once new regulatory changes are put in to effect. Remember, we are mere mortals who just love electric rides and not lawyers. For serious legal questions, especially if you’re facing citations, talk to a local attorney familiar with Montana transportation law.
