Montana Learner's Permit Information, DMV Study Guide

(from the Montana DMV Webste)

New Drivers

Individuals wishing to obtain a Montana driver’s license must:

• provide parental consent and complete the graduated driver licensing process if they are under 18
• pass written, vision and driving tests
• provide proof of identity
• provide proof of Montana residency
• provide proof of authorized presence

Learner’s License

allows an individual who has paid the $5-per-year license fees and passed the vision and written tests to operate a vehicle when accompanied by a driver who has a valid license of the same class and type as that of the vehicle being driven valid for up to six months from the date fees are paid

Individuals with a learner’s license from another state can drive in Montana for 120 days with a licensed driver.

Graduated Driver Licensing

Montana’s graduated driver licensing law creates a three-step program that allows new drivers under the age of 18 years to safely develop and improve their driving skills. Each step progressively increases the privileges and responsibilities of a new driver in an effort to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes involving minors.

Step 1: Permit Period

• Age and Permits
  • Teenagers may obtain a Traffic Education Learner’s License (TELL) as early as age 14½ years old only if they are in a state-approved traffic education program.
  • Teenagers may get a Learner’s License from a driver exam station if they meet all of the following criteria:
    are 15 years old and successfully complete a state-approved traffic education program, or are 16 years or older
    pass the required driver license tests
  • turn in any other driver licenses
  • have not had a license suspended, revoked or denied in any other state or jurisdiction
  • pass the medical requirements for the type of driver license desired
  • have not been found by a court to be mentally incompetent, alcoholic and/or a habitual user of illegal drugs

• Length of Permit
  • A teenager must hold a permit for a minimum of six consecutive months before applying for a First-Year Restricted License.
  • The permit is valid for up to one year.

• Conditions During Permit Stage
  • Teen drivers must acquire at least 50 hours of supervised driving experience, including 10 hours at night.
  • A driver with a TELL permit must be supervised by a licensed parent or guardian.
  • A driver with a Learner’s License must be supervised by a licensed parent or guardian, or a licensed driver age 18 years or older who is authorized by the parent or guardian.
  • Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.
  • The teen driver must not get any traffic violations for alcohol or drug offenses in the six-month period before advancing to Step 2.

Step 2: First-Year Restricted License

When teens have satisfied all Step 1 requirements, they may apply for a First-Year Restricted License at a driver exam station. They must:

• pay the associated fees
• bring all required documents, including the completed Graduated Driver Licensing Parent Certification form

Initially, the driver’s license will show a restriction code on the front and back. This restriction remains in effect for one year. During this period, the following restrictions apply:

• Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.
• Teenage drivers may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5 a.m., with some exceptions.
• These exceptions including emergencies, farm-related activities, travel to and from school, church or work, and specific parent-authorized purposes.
• Law enforcement officials may contact the parent or guardian of a teen driver to verify the purpose for which the teen is authorized to drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• For the first six months, unless supervised by a licensed driver age 18 or older, a teenage driver may have only one unrelated passenger under age 18 in the vehicle.
• For the second six months, unless supervised by a licensed driver age 18 or older, a teenage driver may have three unrelated passengers under age 18 in the vehicle.

Penalties for Step 2 Violations

Penalties for violating the license restrictions are:

• First Offense – between 20 and 60 hours of community service
• Second Offense – suspension of the teen’s driver license for six months

Step 3: Full Privilege Driver License

First-Year Restricted License restrictions automatically end on the date indicated on the back of the driver’s license, or when the individual turns 18, whichever occurs first. Once the teenager reaches Step 3, the driver license confers full privileges.

For more information on graduated driver licensing, go to the Traffic Education Program/Driver Education page on the Office of Public Instruction website.