Pro tip: Exploring Montana's majestic mountains and open plains requires a high level of driving proficiency. Our comprehensive guides for manually shifting gears and executing parallel parking will boost your confidence. Acquire skills for parking in reverse and three-point turns. Proper mirror adjustment is essential for safety. Our Online Driving Simulator provides a virtual practice ground, and for international motorists, check out Montana's international driver's license procedures.
I’m 18+ (First Timers, Learner or Restricted License Holders)You are required to provide
Check here how to choose acceptable documents.
You should have the uncorrected vision of 20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together.
First-Year Restricted License is the second step of Montana Graduated Driver License Program. It allows you to drive on your own but with some restrictions:
During this time you will be supervised by a licensed parent/guardian, or a driver age 18 years or older authorized by your parent/guardian.
You must get at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night. Download Teen Driving Log and Graduated Driver Licensing Parent/Legal Guardian Certification here. Your parents must complete them. Choose from Under 18 Driver License Forms.
You can schedule your appointment online or by calling (866)450-8034 during regular business hours. To find a driver licensing station near you, use this map. You may apply at any Montana driver license station. If you choose to apply at a rural limited-service driver license exam station, you must first pay for your license at the county treasurer's office and present the prepaid receipt to the driver examiner.
You are required to provide proof of the following:
Check here how to choose acceptable documents.
You must also bring
Your parent/guardian is also required to accept financial responsibility if you cause an accident.
$5.00 per year + a 3% administrative fee. The amount depends on your age as your license will expire on your 21st birthday. You can pay by card, cash or check.
You should bring a vehicle you are familiar with. If you fail the test 3 times, you will have to re-apply. Read more about the road test procedures.
Your First-Year Restricted License will show a restriction code on the front and back. This restriction will be in effect until you turn 18 or till the date indicated on your license, whichever occurs first.
You can get a full privilege driver license at the age of 18 if you have never held a driver license. Start with step 1.
If you have a first-year restricted license, your restrictions will end automatically at the age of 18 or on the date indicated on your license, whichever occurs first.
If you hold a learner license, start with step 6.
You can schedule your appointment online or by calling (866)450-8034 during regular business hours. To find a driver licensing station near you, use this map. You may apply at any Montana driver license station. If you choose to apply at a rural limited-service driver license exam station, you must first pay for your license at the county treasurer's office and present the prepaid receipt to the driver examiner.
You are required to provide proof of the following:
Check here how to choose acceptable documents.
You should have the uncorrected vision of 20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together.
You will have to answer 33 questions about Montana traffic rules. Check frequently asked questions about the test and take free practice tests before you go. If you fail the test, you can retake it as early as the next business day. If you fail the test 3 times, you will be required to reapply for the license.
Note that written and road tests require separate appointments. You can schedule your appointment online or by calling (866) 450-8034 during regular business hours. In addition to documents required in step 2, you should also bring:
The road test measures your skill and knowledge of legal and safe driving practices. You will be asked to demonstrate your driving skills in normal traffic conditions. You will drive about a mile which will take between 8 and 12 minutes.
To take the road test, you should make an appointment online or by calling (866) 450-8034 during regular business hours.
Only the driver and the examiner are allowed in the vehicle during the test unless you need an interpreter, or your religious customs require that you should be accompanied by your relative.
Make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive, and you bring
Your examiner will check if the following car features are in working order:
Your job now is to listen to your examiner's instructions and drive safely. The following maneuvers will be graded:
You will be disqualified automatically if you commit one of the following critical driving errors:
At the end of the exam, the examiner will let you know if you pass or fail. If you pass, you will go back to the driver licensing station to have your picture taken and receive your temporary license.
If you fail, the examiner will explain your errors and issue you a learner license (if you don't have one) so that you could practice supervised driving. You will have to wait at least 7 days before your next try. If you fail the test 3 times, you will have to reapply and pay another fee.
Good news! You don't have to convert your valid out-of-state license if
If you are moving from another state and have a valid out of state driver license, you won’t have to take written and road tests.
You can schedule your appointment online or by calling (866)450-8034 during regular business hours. To find a driver licensing station near you, use this map. You may apply at any Montana driver license station. If you choose to apply at a rural limited-service driver license exam station, you must first pay for your license at the county treasurer's office and present the prepaid receipt to the driver examiner.
You are required to bring your current out of state license and provide proof of the following:
Check here how to choose acceptable documents.
The fee depends on the number of years your license will be valid for. It costs $5.00 per year + 3% administrative fee paid by card, check or cash. If you are between 21 and 67 years, you most probably get your license for 8 years ( $ 41.72).
You should have the uncorrected vision of 20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together.
You may drive using your temporary license until your new license arrives in mail within 2 to 4 weeks.
Your basic driver license (Class D) will be valid for 4-8 years and will most typically expire on your birthday.
If you hold a valid driver license from another country, the procedure of transferring it to the Montana driver license will be similar to applying for a license for the first time. It means that you will be required to pass written, vision and road tests. Follow the full step-by-step guide How to Apply for Your Full Privilege (Adult) Driver License in Montana.
