61-9-304. Brakes required on all wheels — exceptions. Every vehicle must be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels except:

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Terms Used In Montana Code 61-9-304

  • Motor-driven cycle: means a motorcycle, including a motor scooter, with a motor that produces 5 horsepower or less. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • Motorcycle: means a motor vehicle that has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator and that is designated to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • Quadricycle: means a four-wheeled motor vehicle, designed for on-road or off-road use, having a seat or saddle on which the operator sits. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • Trailer: means a vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that no part of its weight rests on the towing vehicle. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • 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

(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.