Driving Age in Montana: Learner, Restricted, and Teen Rules

The driving age in Montana starts at 14 and a half, which is when a teen enrolled in or finished with an approved traffic education course can apply for a learner license. From there, the earliest a teen can get a restricted license is around 16, after holding the learner permit for at least six months and logging the required practice hours. Full, unrestricted driving privileges arrive at 18, or one year after the restricted license is issued, whichever comes first.¹

Montana does not issue licenses to anyone under 15 as a general rule, though the department can make a narrow exception for a teen at least 13 who demonstrates individual hardship.²

Learner License at 14 and a Half

A teen can apply for a learner license at 14 and a half if they are enrolled in or have completed an approved traffic education course.³ Traffic education is not optional for anyone under 18. The course type dictates how many supervised practice hours the teen has to log:

Traditional course: 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 at night.
Alternative course: 75 hours of supervised driving, with at least 15 at night.

The supervising driver has to be a parent, legal guardian, or another licensed driver at least 18 with the parent’s consent.⁴ Hours get recorded on the MVD’s practice driving log, which the teen hands in when applying for the next license up.⁵

At the MVD, a learner applicant takes a vision screening and a written knowledge test. The written test has 33 multiple-choice questions covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving; a passing score is 27 correct, or 82%.

Restricted License Around Age 16

Once a teen has held the learner permit for at least six months, logged the required practice hours, kept a clean record (no traffic, drug, or alcohol violations), and passed the road test, they can apply for a first-year restricted license.⁴ In practice, this works out to around age 16 for most teens who started the process on time.

If a teen picks up a traffic, drug, or alcohol violation during the six-month learner period, the parent cannot certify the clean-record requirement. The department can then extend the learner license for up to another year, or until the teen turns 18.⁴ The teen stays stuck on supervised driving until the extension runs its course.

First-Year Restrictions Under 18

A license issued to anyone under 18 carries mandatory restrictions for one year, or until the driver turns 18, whichever happens first.¹ Some rules ease up at the six-month mark; none disappear entirely before the year is out.

Passenger Limits

For the first six months, the restricted driver can carry only one passenger under 18, unless a licensed driver at least 18 is also in the vehicle, or unless the extra passengers are family. For the second six months, the cap rises to three passengers under 18. The number of people in the vehicle cannot exceed the number of seatbelts.

Nighttime Curfew

Restricted drivers cannot be on the road between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The statute lists specific exceptions:

Accompanied by a licensed driver 18 or older.
Driving to or from work, or during the course of employment.
Driving to or from a school-sponsored event at the teen’s school.
Driving to or from a religious organization event.
Emergencies involving medical, fire, or law enforcement matters.
Farm or ranch operations, transporting agricultural products, machinery, or supplies within 150 miles of a farm or ranch headquarters.
Emancipated minors.
Specific parental authorization for a specific purpose, which a peace officer may verify by contacting the parent.

The parental authorization exception has to be tied to a particular trip and purpose, not a standing permission to drive whenever the teen wants.¹

Seatbelts for Everyone

When a restricted licensee is driving, every occupant has to be wearing a seatbelt or properly restrained. All ages, no exceptions.

What Happens If a Teen Breaks the Rules

A first violation of any first-year restriction results in 20 to 60 hours of community service. A second violation leads to a six-month suspension of the restricted license.⁶

Parent Signature and Insurance

Any license application for a driver under 18 has to be signed by a parent or legal guardian. By signing, the parent becomes jointly liable for damage caused by the teen’s negligent or reckless driving, unless the teen is covered by a motor vehicle liability insurance policy.⁷ If no parent is available, another responsible adult can sign and accept that obligation, or the teen can submit a certificate of insurance directly.

Montana requires liability insurance on every vehicle operated on public roads.⁸ Proof of insurance is required when the teen comes in for the road test for the restricted license.⁹ Minimum coverage includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Most insurers want a teen with a restricted license listed as a named driver on the family policy, and adding a 16-year-old typically raises the premium noticeably.

1
Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 61-5-133 – First Year Restrictions on Drivers License Issued to Minor
2
Montana Code Annotated. Montana Code 61-5-105 – Who May Not Be Licensed
3
Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 61-5-106 – Learner Licenses, Traffic Education Permits, Temporary Drivers Permits
4
Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 61-5-132 – Prerequisites for Issuance of Drivers License to Minor
5
Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Practice Driving Log
6
Montana Office of Public Instruction. GDL Graduated Driver Licensing in Montana
7
Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 61-5-108 – Application of Minors, Imputed Liability
8
Montana Code Annotated. Montana Code 61-6-301 – Required Motor Vehicle Insurance
9
Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Drivers Under 18