Montana DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the Montana driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the Montana-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official Montana driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real Montana test has 33 questions and you need 27 correct (82%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes Montana-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

Montana Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	33 questions, must score 27/33 (82%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	14 years 6 months
Minimum License Age	15
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 80 mph \| Residential: 25 mph \| School Zone: 15 mph
DUI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%)
Point System	Montana assigns points for convictions (for example, 5 points for driving uninsured); too many points can lead to suspension.

Rules Specific to Montana

Montana allows 80 mph on certain interstate highways
School zone speed limits may be as low as 15 mph, and drivers must stop at least 30 feet from a school bus with red lights flashing
Montana allows a learner's license at 14 years 6 months — one of the youngest in the US

Sample Montana Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to Montana. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

In Montana, an alcohol concentration of what level or higher allows an inference that a person was under the influence of alcohol?
- A. 0.05
- B. 0.08
- C. 0.10
- D. 0.02
Answer: 0.08. Montana law treats 0.08 alcohol concentration as the threshold where impairment may be inferred. This is a key level tested on knowledge exams.
In Montana, drivers under age 21 violate the state’s alcohol rule at what BAC or higher?
- A. 0.00%
- B. 0.02%
- C. 0.04%
- D. 0.08%
Answer: 0.02%. Montana applies a lower alcohol concentration threshold to under-21 drivers. Even a small BAC at or above 0.02% can trigger an underage alcohol driving violation.
In Montana, a passenger who is 5 years old and weighs 55 pounds must be transported using which restraint?
- A. An adult seat belt only
- B. A booster seat only
- C. A child safety restraint appropriate for the child
- D. No restraint is required in the back seat
Answer: A child safety restraint appropriate for the child. Montana law requires a child under 6 who weighs less than 60 pounds to be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety restraint. The restraint must match the child’s size per manufacturer instructions.
On a rural Montana road, how far before turning should you begin signaling (minimum)?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: 300 feet. Montana’s manual distinguishes between town and rural signaling distances. On rural roads you should signal at least 300 feet before turning.
In Montana, what is the maximum posted speed limit on interstate highways under normal conditions?
- A. 65 mph
- B. 70 mph
- C. 75 mph
- D. 80 mph
Answer: 80 mph. Montana posts interstate speed limits as high as 80 mph where conditions allow. Always follow the posted limit and slow down for hazards and weather.
At what age can a Montana teen get a learner license while in an approved traffic education course?
- A. 14
- B. 14½
- C. 15
- D. 16
Answer: 14½. A learner license may be issued at 14½ to a student participating in or who completed an approved traffic education course.
How much supervised driving must a Montana teen complete before moving past the instruction permit?
- A. 30 hours, 5 at night
- B. 40 hours, 10 at night
- C. 50 hours, 10 at night, over at least six months
- D. 60 hours, 15 at night
Answer: 50 hours, 10 at night, over at least six months. Teens need at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night, over a minimum of six months.
For the first six months of a Montana first-year license, how many unrelated passengers under 18 may ride without a licensed adult?
- A. None
- B. One
- C. Two
- D. Three
Answer: One. Only one unrelated passenger under 18 for the first six months, then up to three for the next six months.
How far from a stopped Montana school bus with red lights flashing must you stop?
- A. At least 10 feet
- B. At least 20 feet
- C. At least 30 feet
- D. At least 50 feet
Answer: At least 30 feet. Stop at least 30 feet from the bus and don't proceed until the red lights are off.
How low may Montana school zone speed limits be set?
- A. 10 mph
- B. 15 mph
- C. 20 mph
- D. 25 mph
Answer: 15 mph. School zone speed limits may be as low as 15 mph.
When a train is approaching a Montana railroad crossing, how close to the nearest rail may you stop?
- A. No closer than 5 feet
- B. No closer than 10 feet
- C. No closer than 15 feet
- D. No closer than 50 feet
Answer: No closer than 15 feet. Stop as close as practicable but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.
In Montana, you may not park more than how far from the curb?
- A. 12 inches
- B. 18 inches
- C. 24 inches
- D. 36 inches
Answer: 18 inches. Parking more than 18 inches (1.5 feet) from the curb is not allowed.
In Montana, you may not park within how many feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign?
- A. 15 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 30 feet
- D. 50 feet
Answer: 30 feet. Don't park within 30 feet of a signal or stop or yield sign, 15 feet of a hydrant, or 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
When must Montana drivers dim their high beams for an oncoming vehicle?
- A. At 200 feet
- B. At 500 feet
- C. At 1,000 feet
- D. At 1,500 feet
Answer: At 1,000 feet. Dim when meeting other vehicles at 1,000 feet and when overtaking others at 500 feet.
How far behind another vehicle must you be before switching to low beams in Montana?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 300 feet
- C. 500 feet
- D. 1,000 feet
Answer: 500 feet. Use low beams when within 500 feet behind another vehicle.
How far before a turn in a rural Montana area should you signal?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: 300 feet. Signal 100 feet (a third of a city block) in town, or 300 feet in rural areas.
What license suspension applies for a first Montana alcohol conviction?
- A. 30 days
- B. 90 days
- C. Six months
- D. One year
Answer: Six months. A first conviction brings a $300–$1,000 fine, 1 to 60 days in jail, and a six-month license suspension.
What is the penalty for a first offense of driving uninsured in Montana?
- A. A warning
- B. A $250–$500 fine and/or up to 10 days in jail, plus 5 points
- C. A $50 fine
- D. A license suspension only
Answer: A $250–$500 fine and/or up to 10 days in jail, plus 5 points. Driving uninsured is a misdemeanor: $250 to $500, up to 10 days in jail, or both, plus 5 points on your record.
When must a Montana crash be reported immediately to law enforcement?
- A. Only if someone is killed
- B. If anyone is injured or killed, or property damage is $500 or more
- C. Only if damage exceeds $2,500
- D. Never
Answer: If anyone is injured or killed, or property damage is $500 or more. Report immediately if anyone is injured or killed or property damage is $500 or more.

Montana Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the Montana permit test?

The Montana knowledge test has 33 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 27 correct answers (82%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Montana?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in Montana is 14 years 6 months. The minimum age for a driver's license is 15.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Montana?

Montana calls impaired driving DUI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.

How does the Montana driver point system work?

Montana assigns points for convictions (for example, 5 points for driving uninsured); too many points can lead to suspension.

What are the default speed limits in Montana?

Typical limits in Montana are up to 80 mph on highways, 25 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official Montana government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the Montana Driver Manual on September 26, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current Montana driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Montana government agency.