How to Get a Montana Learner's Permit

You can apply for a Montana driver’s permit once you turn 15 years old. Here’s how to follow the required steps.
Written by Matthew Lynaugh
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In Montana, you can obtain a learner’s permit at age 15 if you are enrolled in an approved driver education course or are conducting self-study and behind-the-wheel practice with an adult. 
  • You can get a Montana learner’s permit at 15 provided you’re taking a driver education course or self-studying with a parent.
  • You must be supervised by a licensed adult when you’re driving with your learner’s permit.
  • You can get a first-year restricted driver’s license after holding your learner’s permit for six months.
Before you can hit the road independently, you will need to get your learner’s permit. Read on to learn all about the Montana learner’s permit so you can complete the licensing process as quickly as possible.

How to get a Montana learner’s permit

First, you must be at least 15 years old to apply for your learner’s permit. Once you are of age, you can enroll in an in-person or online driver education course, or conduct self-study through behind-the-wheel training with a parent
Take advantage of this flexibility to educate yourself whichever way is convenient for you. 
In the past, Montana state law required you to be enrolled in driver education to begin the permit process, but limited resources prevented many young Montanans from getting a jump on safe driving. To combat this, state legislation was passed to remove this barricade and allow for training on your own.
The next important step will be to schedule and study for your written driver’s test. This test will be based on information found in the
Montana Driver Manual
, so be sure to use this as your study guide. 
You can schedule your written test at your local
Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
branch or by calling (406) 444-1772 during normal business hours.
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What to bring to MVD

Before you can sit down at the exam desk and start showing off your knowledge of the road, you will have to present the following at your written test appointment:
  • Parental consent
  • Proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate or valid passport)
  • Proof of Montana residency (e.g., copy of certified school records or a bank statement)
  • Proof of authorized presence (e.g., birth certificate or valid passport)
You will not be required to prove your Social Security Number, but you will have to provide it at the time of your appointment. There will also be a $5 learner’s permit testing fee that will have to be paid before the test can begin. 
The written test will consist of 33 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 27 questions correctly to pass. 

Montana learner’s permit regulations

After you’ve aced the written test and obtained that sought-after learner’s permit, it’s time to get even more road practice in—with a supervisor, of course!
Montana law puts the following restrictions in place for all drivers with a learner’s permit:
  • You must be supervised by a licensed parent, guardian, or authorized licensed driver over age 18
  • Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt
  • You may not receive any traffic violations or drug and alcohol offenses in the six-month period before advancing to your First-Year Restricted License 
In order to take the next step in your licensing journey and get your hands on a First-Year Restricted License, you will need to do the following:
  • Hold your learner’s permit for 6 months
  • Complete 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be at night
  • Log your driving hours with your supervisor to be presented when you apply
Similar documentation will need to be provided when you apply for your First-Year Restricted License, and this time the test will take place on the actual road! Hopefully you put those practice hours to good use and will pass on the first try—but you can always try again.
After you become a restricted licensed driver, you will be subject to adjusted limitations:
  • You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
  • Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt
  • For the first six months, you may only drive with one unrelated passenger under the age of 18
  • For the second six months, you can drive with up to three unrelated passengers under the age of 18
Finally, all there will be left to do is play the waiting game. If you keep your driving record clean during your time as a restricted driver, you will automatically become eligible for a full privilege driver’s license on the date indicated on the back of your Restricted License, or when you turn 18—whichever comes first!
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