61-5-105. Who may not be licensed. The department may not issue a license under this chapter to a person:

(1) who is under 16 years of age unless:

(a) the person is at least 15 years of age and has passed a driver's education course approved by the department and the superintendent of public instruction; or

(b) the person is at least 13 years of age and, because of individual hardship, to be determined by the department, needs a restricted license;

(2) whose license or driving privilege is currently suspended, revoked, or canceled, except as provided in 61-5-232, or who is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle in this or any state, as evidenced by an ineligible status report from the national driver register, established under 49 U.S.C. 30302, or from the commercial driver's license information system, established under 49 U.S.C. 31309;

(3) who is addicted to the use of alcohol or narcotic drugs;

(4) who has previously been adjudged to be afflicted with or suffering from any mental disability or disease and who, at the time of application, has not been restored to competency by the methods provided by law;

(5) who is required by this chapter to take an examination;

(6) who has not deposited proof of financial responsibility when required under the provisions of chapter 6 of this title;

(7) who has any condition characterized by lapse of consciousness or control, either temporary or prolonged, that is or may become chronic. However, the department may, in its discretion, issue a license to an otherwise qualified person suffering from a condition if the afflicted person's attending physician, licensed physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, as defined in 37-8-102, attests in writing that the person's condition has stabilized and would not be likely to interfere with that person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and, if a commercial driver's license is involved, the person is physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle under applicable state or federal regulations.

(8) who lacks the functional ability, due to a physical or mental disability or limitation, to safely operate a motor vehicle on the highway;

(9) who is not a resident of or domiciled in Montana except as provided in 61-5-103(3); or

(10) whose presence in the United States is not authorized under federal law. When an applicant who is not a citizen of the United States applies for a driver's license, the department shall verify that the applicant is lawfully present in the United States by using the federal systematic alien verification for entitlements program. The department may not accept a driver's license issued by another state as proof that an applicant is lawfully present in the United States under federal law.

History: En. Sec. 11, Ch. 267, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 60, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 227, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 94, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 178, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 31-127; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 443, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 364, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 309, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 207, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 428, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 478, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 242, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 207, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 358, L. 2015.