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Montana permit test essentials
Last verified September 28, 2026 against the official Montana Driver Manual.
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Quick facts
- Earliest age for a learner permit
- 14½ At 14½ you can get a learner permit while taking an approved traffic education course. Without traffic education the minimum is 16 (15 after an approved course).Manual PDF p. 12, Non-Commercial Learner Permit (NCLP)
- Permit fee
- $5 a year A Class D or learner license costs $5 for each year it is valid, plus a 3% administrative fee (fees may change).Manual PDF p. 19, Fees
- If you fail the knowledge test
- 3 tries a year Your license receipt is good for one year and gives you three attempts to pass all required tests.Manual PDF p. 19, Fees/receipts
- What to bring
- 4 kinds of documents: see your DMV checklist.
The official test format for Montana is not confirmed yet, so it is not shown.
Numbers to know
As the Montana manual states them; these often come up on the test.
- 0.08%
Blood alcohol limit, 21 and older
You can be arrested for driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more.
Manual PDF p. 82, Alcohol and driving - 0.02
Blood alcohol limit, under 21
The BAC limit for a driver under 21 is 0.02.
Manual PDF p. 82, Alcohol and driving - 3 seconds
Following distance
Use the three-second rule; leave four seconds on slippery roads and in other harder conditions.
Manual PDF p. 74, Following distance - 100 / 300 feet
Signal before you turn
Signal 100 feet before turning in town and 300 feet before turning on rural roads.
Manual PDF p. 47, Basic laws - 1,000 feet
Dim high beams for oncoming traffic
Dim your lights within 1,000 feet of meeting a vehicle.
Manual PDF p. 65, Night driving - 500 feet
Dim high beams behind a vehicle
Dim your lights within 500 feet when following a vehicle.
Manual PDF p. 65, Night driving - 15 feet
No parking near a fire hydrant
When you park, stay at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant.
Manual PDF p. 56, Parking - 30 feet
School bus with red lights flashing
Meeting or passing a school bus with red lights flashing, from either direction, stop at least 30 feet from the bus until the lights are off.
Manual PDF p. 50, School buses - 15 feet
Stopping at a railroad crossing
When signals, gates, stop signs or a watchman warn of a train, stop no closer than 15 feet from the nearest rail.
Manual PDF p. 43, Railroad crossings - 6 months
How long you hold the permit
New drivers under 18 must use the learner permit for six consecutive months.
Manual PDF p. 12, Non-Commercial Learner Permit (NCLP) - 50 hours
Supervised practice
At least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night.
Manual PDF p. 17, GDL step 1 - 20/40
Vision standard
You need at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without glasses or contacts.
Manual PDF p. 80, Vision
Your Montana DMV checklist
Tick each item as you get it ready. Your ticks stay on this device only.
Documents to bring
- Manual PDF p. 15, Proof of identity
- Manual PDF p. 12, Non-Commercial Learner Permit (NCLP)
- Manual PDF p. 17, Montana residency
- Manual PDF p. 11, Identity verification
Fees
Tests at the office
Parent or guardian (under 18)
Appointment and visit
Rules and fees can change. Check with the Montana DMV before you go.
Questions people ask
How old do you have to be to get a learner permit in Montana?
At 14½ you can get a learner permit while taking an approved traffic education course. Without traffic education the minimum is 16 (15 after an approved course).
How much does a learner permit cost in Montana?
$5 a year. A Class D or learner license costs $5 for each year it is valid, plus a 3% administrative fee (fees may change).
What happens if I fail the Montana permit test?
Your license receipt is good for one year and gives you three attempts to pass all required tests.
What documents do I need for a Montana learner permit?
Two documents proving your full legal name and date of birth: two primary, or one primary and one secondary (for example a certified U.S. birth certificate). Proof of authorized presence in the U.S. (for example a certified U.S. birth certificate). Two documents proving your Montana residence address, with your name on them. Your Social Security number.