There Is Only One Reason You Can Legally Honk Your Horn In Montana

When Can You Legally Honk Your Horn In Montana?

You're driving down the road when you spot your friend walking on the sidewalk, to let them know you see them you give a little toot of your horn.

Guess what, you just broke the law in Montana and you probably didn't even know it.

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There Is Only One Reason You Can Legally Honk Your Horn In Montana

When it comes to the horn in your car, and when and even WHERE you can honk it may a bit of a surprise to a majority of you.

I know it was a surprise to me when I googled it myself.

A Montana Code talks about Horns, Alarms and Security Devices installed on vehicles and when it comes to horns this is what Title 61 Chapter 9 Part 4 Section 1 has to say,

A motor vehicle when operated upon a highway must be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. A horn or other warning device may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation give audible warning with the horn but may not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway.

It's that last part of the code that made it illegal to honk at your friend walking down the sidewalk.

You are only allowed for safety reasons to honk your horn in Montana.

Honk Your Horn Because Someone Is Drifting In Your Lane Without Signaling?

Legal

Laying On The Horn Because A Driver Cut You Off?

Not Legal

Honking At A Pedestrian About To Walk Into The Street Without Paying Attention?

Legal

Honking At A Friend Walking Down The Sidewalk?

No Legal

Honking When The Car In Front Of You Doesn't Move When The Light Turns Green?

Legal, but only if they have become an obstruction which is a safety issue. If you do it because you're impatient, not legal.

Honking Outside A House Your Child Is At To Let Them Know You're There To Pick Them Up?

Illegal, if you're on the road that is. If you're in a drive way, well that is technically legal.

Sure a few of thing "legal" and "illegal" instances won't get your pulled over or ticketed by the police in Montana, but why tempt fate is what I say.