Montana Code 61-8-801. Purpose
61-8-801. Purpose. (1) The purpose of this part is to reduce the number of commercial motor vehicle accidents in Montana, to provide greater safety to the motoring public and others by establishing stringent criteria governing the operation of commercial motor vehicles, and to deny the privilege of operating commercial motor vehicles upon the public streets and highways to those commercial motor vehicle operators who are not qualified.
Terms Used In Montana Code 61-8-801
- Commercial motor vehicle: means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle:
(i)has a gross combination weight rating or a gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;
(ii)has a gross vehicle weight rating or a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater;
(iii)is designed to transport at least 16 passengers, including the driver;
(iv)is a school bus; or
(v)is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Driver: means a person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Motor vehicle: means :
(i)a vehicle propelled by its own power and designed or used to transport persons or property on the highways of the state;
(ii)a quadricycle if it is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9; or
(iii)a golf cart only if it is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9 and is operated pursuant to 61-8-391 or by a person with a low-speed restricted driver's license. See Montana Code 61-1-101
- Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
- Vehicle: means a device in, on, or by which any person or property may be transported or drawn on a public highway, except devices moved by animal power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. See Montana Code 61-1-101
(2)To fulfill this purpose, the legislature intends that this part:
(a)establish criteria and procedures for the operation of commercial motor vehicles that require safety practices commensurate with the danger inherent to their operation;
(b)provide for increased administrative punishment for commercial motor vehicle operators who use alcohol while operating commercial motor vehicles;
(c)provide greater control of commercial motor vehicle operators using the streets and highways; and
(d)conform Montana’s laws on commercial driver licensing with federal regulations based on the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, Public Law 99-570, as amended.