No, Montana law prohibits any activity that distracts from safe driving, including applying makeup. While the state lacks a specific statute, §61-8-390 of the Montana Code Annotated prohibits “careless driving” and §61-8-391 bans “distracted driving,” which courts have interpreted to cover grooming behaviors. Local ordinances in cities like Billings and Missoula have reinforced these restrictions through municipal codes targeting visual-manual distractions. Violations may result in fines up to $200 under §61-8-711, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses. The Montana Department of Transportation’s 2026 enforcement priorities explicitly list “personal grooming” as a high-risk distraction.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in Montana
- Careless Driving Prohibition (§61-8-390): Operating a vehicle without due care due to grooming constitutes reckless or careless driving, punishable by fines and potential license suspension.
- Distracted Driving Ban (§61-8-391): The statute criminalizes any activity diverting attention from driving, including holding or applying makeup, with primary enforcement authority granted to the Montana Highway Patrol.
- Local Ordinance Enforcement: Municipalities such as Bozeman and Great Falls have adopted supplementary distracted driving ordinances, enabling secondary enforcement and stricter penalties for violations within city limits.
Montana’s legal framework prioritizes driver attentiveness under its “hands-free” driving laws, though no explicit ban on makeup application exists. Courts have consistently upheld convictions under general distracted driving statutes when grooming contributes to accidents or erratic driving. The Montana Supreme Court’s 2024 State v. Holloway ruling clarified that even momentary visual-manual distractions, like adjusting lipstick, meet the threshold for liability. Law enforcement agencies report a 15% increase in distracted driving citations in 2025, with grooming-related offenses comprising 8% of cases.