Key points
You can get a learner license at 16, or at 15 after an approved traffic education course; online courses are not approved.
Source: Handbook p. 8
“A teenager may obtain a learner license from a driver exam station if he/she is 16 years old OR is 15 years old and successfully completes a state-approved traffic education program (online courses are not approved).”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8A learner license can come as early as 14 and a half, but only through a state approved traffic education program.
Source: Handbook p. 8
“A teenager may obtain a learner license as early as 14 ½ years old only if he/she is participating in or has successfully completed a state-approved traffic education program”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8Teens need at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, over at least six months.
Source: Handbook p. 7
“Teen drivers must acquire at least 50 hours of supervised driving experience, including 10 hours at night during a minimum of six months.”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 7A driver under 18 must hold the learner license for at least six consecutive months before the restricted license.
Source: Handbook p. 8
“A teenager under 18 must hold a learner license for a minimum of six consecutive months before applying for a first-year restricted license.”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8The teen needs a clean six months, with no traffic violations or alcohol or drug offenses, before moving to the restricted license.
Source: Handbook p. 7
“The teen driver must not receive any traffic violations or alcohol/drug offenses in the sixmonth period before advancing to GDL Step 2”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 7With a restricted license, a teen may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with limited exceptions.
Source: Handbook p. 8
“Teenage drivers with a restricted driver license may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. There are limited exceptions to this rule”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8For the first six months, without a licensed adult, only one unrelated passenger under 18 is allowed.
Source: Handbook p. 8
“For the first six months, unless supervised by a licensed adult driver, a teenage driver may have only one unrelated passenger under the age of 18 in the vehicle.”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8For the second six months, up to three unrelated passengers under 18 are allowed without a licensed adult.
Source: Handbook p. 8
“For the second six months, unless supervised by a licensed adult driver, a teenage driver may have three unrelated passengers under the age of 18 in the vehicle.”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8A first offense against the restrictions brings 20 to 60 hours of community service; a second brings a six month suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 8
“First Offense: Between 20 to 60 hours of community service. ■ Second Offense: Suspension of the teenager’s driver license for six months.”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8The restrictions end on the date on the back of the license, or at 18, whichever comes first.
Source: Handbook p. 8
“The first-year restricted license restrictions automatically end on the date indicated on the back of the teenager’s driver license, or when the individual turns 18 years old, whichever occurs first.”
Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 16 (or 15 with traffic education) | minimum age for a learner license at a driver exam station | Handbook p. 8 |
| 14 and a half | earliest learner license age, only in traffic education | Handbook p. 8 |
| 50 hours (10 at night) | minimum supervised driving practice | Handbook p. 7 |
| 6 months | minimum time holding the learner license before the restricted license | Handbook p. 8 |
| 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. | restricted license night driving ban | Handbook p. 8 |
| 1 passenger | unrelated passengers under 18 allowed in the first six months | Handbook p. 8 |
| 3 passengers | unrelated passengers under 18 allowed in the second six months | Handbook p. 8 |
| 20 to 60 hours | community service for a first restriction violation | Handbook p. 8 |
| 18 | age when the restricted license limits end if not sooner | Handbook p. 8 |
3 questions from the Montana practice test
1. How much supervised practice must a Montana teen complete during the instruction-permit step?
- At least 50 hours, including 10 hours at night
- At least 40 hours, including 5 hours at night
- At least 60 hours, with no nighttime requirement
- At least 25 hours, including 10 hours at night
Show answer
At least 50 hours, including 10 hours at night. The instruction-permit requirement combines a total and a nighttime minimum: at least 50 supervised hours, with 10 of those hours at night. The nighttime portion is included within the total, not added on top of it. Forty, 60 without a night component, and 25 hours each change a specific part of the requirement. Remember the pair as 50 total and 10 night during the supervised practice period.
2. What recent record must a Montana teen have before advancing from the instruction permit to the restricted-license step?
- No traffic violations during the preceding 30 days only
- No traffic violations or alcohol/drug offenses during the preceding six months
- No alcohol use at any time since birth
- No convictions after the teen turns 18
Show answer
No traffic violations or alcohol/drug offenses during the preceding six months. Before advancing to the first-year restricted license step, the teen must have no traffic violations or alcohol or drug offenses during the preceding six months. The rule is a recent record requirement, not a 30-day window or a lifetime statement about alcohol. It also applies before the step change, so an offense during that period prevents advancement. Track the six-month period from the intended transition date.
3. When do Montana first-year restricted license limitations automatically end?
- On the date shown on the license or when the driver turns 18, whichever comes first
- Exactly one year after the driver turns 18
- When the driver completes 50 additional practice hours
- Only after a court removes the restrictions
Show answer
On the date shown on the license or when the driver turns 18, whichever comes first. The restrictions end automatically at the date printed on the back of the license or when the individual turns 18, whichever occurs first. That means the earlier event controls; the driver does not wait for both events. Extra practice hours and court action are not listed as termination requirements. Read the phrase whichever occurs first literally, because it resolves the timing question.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with laws and paperwork questions from the free Montana practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Montana Driver Manual, Chapter 1: The Driver License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.