MT Permit Practice Test 5

All 20 questions in test 5

Every question below comes from the Montana question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. What does the Montana manual count as one alcoholic drink?

   1. A 16 ounce beer
   2. Two shots
   3. 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor, 12 ounces of beer, or a 5 ounce glass of wine
   4. Any amount under 8 ounces
   Show answer

   1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor, 12 ounces of beer, or a 5 ounce glass of wine. One alcoholic drink is 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor, a shot glass, straight or mixed; 12 ounces of commercial beer; or a 5 ounce glass of wine, each with about the same alcohol. The BAC limit for a driver under 21 is 0.02, and only time lowers BAC. In Montana, half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related, so arrange a sober ride before drinking.

2. 2. When is a driver required to use headlights because visibility is limited?

   1. When the vehicle is parked with its engine off
   2. Only when the driver is traveling above 55 mph
   3. Only after another driver flashes high beams
   4. When persons or vehicles cannot be seen for 500 feet
   Show answer

   When persons or vehicles cannot be seen for 500 feet. Montana requires headlights when insufficient light makes people or vehicles invisible at a distance of 500 feet. The rule is tied to what the driver can see, not to a particular travel speed, another driver's signal, or a parked vehicle. Check visibility at dusk, in darkness, and in conditions such as dust or fog. Turn the lights on early enough for others to see your vehicle too.

3. 3. How much clear road does the Montana manual say you need to pass safely?

   1. About 200 feet
   2. Over 1,600 feet, about one third of a mile
   3. About 400 feet
   4. About five miles
   Show answer

   Over 1,600 feet, about one third of a mile. Because you and the oncoming vehicle each cover about 800 feet in the time a pass takes, you need over 1,600 feet, about one third of a mile, of clear road to pass safely. A driver may exceed the limit only to overtake on a two lane road where allowed, and never in a no passing zone, on a hill or a curve, or at an intersection.

4. 4. What right of way does a Montana pedestrian using a guide dog or carrying a white cane have?

   1. Absolute right of way
   2. Right of way only at traffic lights
   3. Right of way only in marked crosswalks
   4. No special right of way
   Show answer

   Absolute right of way. A pedestrian using a guide dog or carrying a white cane has absolute right of way. Drivers must not use the horn because the sound could confuse or frighten the blind pedestrian. Limiting the protection to signals or marked crosswalks understates the rule. The safe response is to yield, remain patient, and give the pedestrian space to cross without pressure from the vehicle.

5. 5. How far before a turn should a Montana driver signal on a rural road?

   1. 300 feet
   2. 100 feet
   3. 200 feet
   4. 50 feet
   Show answer

   300 feet. Montana’s manual calls for a proper turn signal 300 feet before turning on rural roads. The 100 foot distance applies in town, so it is the tempting but incorrect shorter figure. Signaling early gives following and approaching road users more time to understand your plan. Use the road setting to select the distance: 100 feet in town and 300 feet on rural roads.

6. 6. When a vehicle begins to slide, what steering action helps regain control?

   1. Hold the wheel rigidly and accelerate
   2. Turn the wheel toward where you want the vehicle to go
   3. Brake hard until the tires lock
   4. Turn sharply away from the intended path
   Show answer

   Turn the wheel toward where you want the vehicle to go. During a skid, the tires have lost their normal grip, so abrupt braking can worsen the slide. Montana says to stay off the brake, remove your foot from the accelerator, look where you want to go, and steer in that direction. Holding the wheel while accelerating does not address the slide, and locked tires reduce control. Once the vehicle starts to straighten, correct back so it does not swing into another skid.

7. 7. On a multi-lane road, which lane is intended for passing slower vehicles?

   1. The left-most lane
   2. The lane nearest the right shoulder
   3. Any lane selected without signaling
   4. The center lane only, regardless of traffic
   Show answer

   The left-most lane. Montana's passing rule assigns a clear purpose on multi-lane roads: the left-most lane is intended for passing slower vehicles. That does not remove the duty to pass safely or to signal and observe surrounding traffic. The right-shoulder choice confuses a travel lane with an area drivers generally may not use, while choosing any lane ignores the manual's lane-use guidance. A center lane may be appropriate for through travel, but it is not automatically the passing lane. Look for the left-most lane when planning a lawful pass.

8. 8. What is the fine for a Montana driver who violates the safety belt law?

   1. $20
   2. $100
   3. $500
   4. A warning only
   Show answer

   $20. No person may drive a motor vehicle in Montana unless each occupant is wearing a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt, and a driver who violates the law will be fined $20. The violation is not recorded on the driving record. Child restraints follow a separate rule: under current Montana law, children under 2 ride rear-facing and children up to age 8 use a harness seat or booster, and children under 13 should ride in the back seat whenever possible.

9. 9. When weather or blowing dust reduces visibility below 500 feet, what is required?

   1. Use parking lights only
   2. Use the headlamps
   3. Switch off all lights to reduce glare
   4. Use hazard flashers instead of headlamps
   Show answer

   Use the headlamps. Montana requires headlamps whenever weather or blowing dust reduces visibility to less than 500 feet. The purpose is both to illuminate the road and to help other road users see the vehicle. Parking lights alone do not satisfy that requirement, and hazard flashers do not replace headlamps. The cue is a major loss of sight distance, not merely darkness. Turn on the headlamps early, reduce speed to match what you can see, and leave enough room to stop safely.

10. 10. If a vehicle begins to slide on a wet road, which response follows Montana guidance?

    1. Stay off the brake, ease off the accelerator, and steer where you want to go
    2. Brake hard and turn opposite the direction of travel
    3. Accelerate to force the tires to grip the pavement
    4. Close your eyes briefly while the vehicle straightens
    Show answer

    Stay off the brake, ease off the accelerator, and steer where you want to go. For a slide, Montana emphasizes control through smooth correction. Stay off the brake while the vehicle slows, remove your foot from the accelerator, look where you want to go, and steer in that direction. Hard braking can worsen the skid before the tires regain grip, while acceleration adds force without solving the traction problem. Turning opposite the desired path can send the vehicle into a new skid. Keep your eyes on the intended route and make quick, measured steering changes as the vehicle begins to straighten.

11. 11. What do black and yellow warning signs tell a driver?

    1. Nearby fuel and food services are available
    2. A legal speed limit is being established
    3. Dangerous conditions may be ahead and extra caution is required
    4. Parking is permitted only for commercial vehicles
    Show answer

    Dangerous conditions may be ahead and extra caution is required. Black and yellow warning signs alert drivers to dangerous conditions ahead where extra caution is required. Their usual diamond shape reinforces the warning function, although the railroad crossing warning sign is a special round example. These signs do not set a speed limit by themselves, and they are not guide signs for services. When one appears, scan farther ahead, reduce speed as needed, and prepare for the specific condition shown, such as a curve, school, crossing, or narrowing roadway.

12. 12. How long is Montana's grace period to renew an expired license without retesting?

    1. 30 days
    2. 3 months after expiration, or 90 days after honorable discharge
    3. One year
    4. There is no grace period
    Show answer

    3 months after expiration, or 90 days after honorable discharge. A driver has a grace period of 3 months after the expiration date, or 90 days after honorable discharge from the military, to renew and avoid the penalty of testing. After the grace period the applicant must pass the tests again. Renewals can be done online or by mail with an eye evaluation and medical evaluation form for eligible drivers.

13. 13. What should a driver prepare to do after seeing this round railroad warning sign?

    
    1. Stop on the tracks to inspect both rails
    2. Speed up so the vehicle clears the tracks before a signal changes
    3. Turn around immediately before reaching the crossing
    4. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop at the crossing ahead
    Show answer

    Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop at the crossing ahead. This round warning sign announces a railroad crossing ahead, so the driver should reduce speed, look and listen, and remain ready to stop. Racing toward the tracks defeats the purpose of advance warning. Turning around is not automatically required, and stopping on the tracks creates a serious hazard. Keep enough space ahead to stop before the crossing, scan for trains and signals, and do not begin crossing unless there is room on the far side. The round shape is a useful recognition cue because it is unique among warning signs.

14. 14. How old must a Montana applicant generally be to receive a learner license without traffic education?

    1. 14 years old
    2. 15 years old
    3. 18 years old
    4. 16 years old
    Show answer

    16 years old. Without an approved traffic education course, the applicant must be at least 16 for a learner license. The 15 year option applies only when the applicant has successfully completed approved driver education, and 14 is associated with a different traffic education pathway. Remember the age distinction before choosing an answer: education can lower the minimum from 16 to 15, but it does not make every age eligible.

15. 15. What roadway condition is represented by the two opposing arrows on this sign?

    
    1. Passing is required in both directions
    2. The road is changing to a divided highway with two one-way sections
    3. The highway becomes one roadway carrying traffic in both directions
    4. U-turns are authorized across the center island
    Show answer

    The highway becomes one roadway carrying traffic in both directions. The opposing arrows indicate that the roadway ahead carries traffic in both directions on a single roadway. That is different from a divided highway, where a median separates two one-way roadways. The sign does not require passing, and it does not authorize U-turns. Keep right, watch carefully for oncoming traffic, and pay attention to the centerline as the road configuration changes. The two arrowheads are a visual reminder that vehicles will approach from the opposite direction, even if the current segment has been one-way.

16. 16. A driver with a valid license from another state moves to Montana permanently. How long can the old license be used?

    1. Up to 30 consecutive days
    2. Up to 90 days
    3. Until it expires
    4. Up to 60 consecutive days
    Show answer

    Up to 60 consecutive days. A new Montana resident may drive on a valid license from the previous jurisdiction for up to 60 consecutive days, then must surrender it and qualify for a Montana license. The 30 day figure applies to commercial license holders, not a basic Class D driver. Ninety days is the military separation window, and the old license does not stay good until its own expiration date. A valid out of state license in the driver's possession can usually be exchanged without a written or road test.

17. 17. How many points go on a Montana driving record for a first conviction of driving without liability insurance?

    1. 2 points
    2. 3 points
    3. 5 points
    4. 10 points
    Show answer

    5 points. Along with a fine of $250 to $500, a first conviction for driving without valid liability insurance adds 5 points to the Montana driving record. Two or three points understates the record damage, and 10 points is double the stated figure. Insurance must be in effect for the vehicle being driven, and drivers must show evidence of it when stopped by law enforcement or involved in a collision. Points add up over time, and enough of them can lead to losing the license.

18. 18. What do rectangular signs with black words or symbols on a white background generally represent?

    1. Temporary weather advisories
    2. Roadside recreation areas
    3. Regulatory requirements
    4. Railroad crossing warnings
    Show answer

    Regulatory requirements. Regulatory signs communicate a rule that controls speed or another required action. Montana describes this category as rectangular with black words or symbols on a white background and says drivers must obey the rules shown. Recreation information is a guide function, weather hazards are warnings, and the railroad crossing warning has its own sign treatment. When you see a regulatory sign, adjust before reaching it and follow the posted instruction rather than treating it as a suggestion.

19. 19. If another driver is tailgating and there is a right lane, what response does Montana recommend?

    1. Brake sharply to force the other driver back
    2. Move over to the right
    3. Accelerate until the tailgater falls farther behind
    4. Straddle the centerline to block a pass
    Show answer

    Move over to the right. When a driver is being followed too closely and a right lane is available, Montana advises moving over to the right. If no right lane exists, the driver should wait for a clear opportunity and reduce speed slowly. Sudden braking can cause a rear-end crash, while acceleration may encourage continued aggressive driving. Straddling the centerline creates a separate lane-position hazard and is not a defensive response. The goal is to create room and let the impatient vehicle pass safely. Check mirrors, signal, and move only when the lane is clear.

20. 20. How effective is Montana's Report A Drunk Driver program, according to the manual's statistics?

    1. Almost no reports lead to contact
    2. Reports are not investigated
    3. Every report leads to an arrest
    4. Officers contact 37 percent of reported drivers, and 71 percent of those contacted are arrested
    Show answer

    Officers contact 37 percent of reported drivers, and 71 percent of those contacted are arrested. Current statistics show that law enforcement officials are able to make contact with 37 percent of those reported as suspected of driving under the influence, and of those contacted, 71 percent are arrested for drunk driving. If you see someone you suspect is intoxicated or need to report an accident, call toll free 1-800-525-5555 with the location, direction and vehicle description.