Montana Permit Test Practice 2026
The Montana learner’s permit test runs 33 questions and asks for 80% to pass. Below: 6 sample questions and a Montana cheat sheet you can save. DMV Ready has unlimited practice in the same format, no signup.
What’s on the Montana permit test?
Montana’s written permit test is 33 questions, multiple choice, with a 80% passing bar - that’s about 26 right out of 33. Questions are pulled from the Montana driver handbook and cover traffic laws, road signs, right of way, signals, and a handful of Montana-specific rules. Montana’s 33-question test reflects rural-highway driving - open-road right-of-way and animal-encounter items show up.
The format is straightforward - most items test recall (sign meaning, right-of-way order, posted limits), a few test judgment in everyday driving scenarios.
Worth flagging: Montana has handbook rules that other states don’t share. If your prep app is showing you a one-size-fits-all 25-question template, it’s not preparing you for the Montana test.
Sample questions (free, no signup)
Here are 6 practice questions in the Montana format. Tap each to reveal the answer and the explanation. Want unlimited? Get the app.
Question 1: During the first six months of a Montana first-year restricted license, how many unrelated passengers under age 18 can a teen driver have without adult supervision?
- Only one unrelated passenger under 18
- No passengers under 18 are allowed
- Up to three unrelated passengers under 18
Correct answer: Only one unrelated passenger under 18
Why: According to the Montana Driver Manual, for the first six months of a restricted license, unless supervised by a licensed adult driver, a teenage driver may have only one unrelated passenger under the age of 18 in the vehicle. This restriction increases to three passengers during the second six months.
💡 Memory tip: First 6 months = 1 unrelated under-18 passenger, unless supervised.
Question 2: What component is required on the rear of vehicles in Montana for visibility purposes?
- Red reflectors
- Yellow reflectors
- White reflectors
Correct answer: Red reflectors
Why: In Montana, red reflectors are specifically required on the rear of vehicles for visibility.
💡 Memory tip: Red reflectors shine bright at night; required on vehicle rear.
Question 3: What program does Montana use for new drivers under a certain age?
- Youth Driver Training Program
- Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program
- Provisional License Program
Correct answer: Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program
Why: Montana uses the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program. This program is designed to gradually introduce driving privileges to new drivers.
💡 Memory tip: GDL = Graduated Driver Licensing; gradual steps for new drivers.
Question 4: When must you yield right-of-way to pedestrians in Montana?
- Only when pedestrians have activated a crossing signal
- At all crosswalks, both marked and unmarked at intersections
- Only at marked crosswalks with painted lines
Correct answer: At all crosswalks, both marked and unmarked at intersections
Why: According to the Montana Driver Manual sections on Pedestrians and Crosswalks, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in all crosswalks, including unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Montana law recognizes that crosswalks exist at intersections even when not marked.
💡 Memory tip: Crosswalks are yield zones. Marked or unmarked at intersections, always.
Question 5: What must drivers always carry while operating a vehicle in Montana?
- Vehicle registration and driver license
- Evidence of vehicle liability insurance and a valid Montana driver license
- Only a valid Montana driver license
Correct answer: Evidence of vehicle liability insurance and a valid Montana driver license
Why: The Montana Driver Manual clearly states that drivers must always have a valid Montana driver license in their possession, and it is mandatory to have and carry evidence of vehicle liability insurance on the vehicle being operated. Both documents are required at all times while driving.
💡 Memory tip: Pocket your valid Montana license; glovebox proof of liability insurance.
Question 6: What are pedestrian signals designed to indicate in Montana?
- When it is safe for pedestrians to cross the street
- Speed limits in pedestrian areas
- Where vehicles should park
Correct answer: When it is safe for pedestrians to cross the street
Why: According to the Montana Driver Manual’s section on Traffic Signals, pedestrian signals are a specific type of signal that controls pedestrian movement, indicating when it is safe for pedestrians to cross and when they should wait.
💡 Memory tip: Pedestrian signals: WALK means go; WAIT means no.
Montana-specific rules to know
Below: eight rules from the Montana handbook that examiners reach for. Skim before you go in.
- License rules - According to the Montana Driver Manual, teen drivers must acquire at least 50 hours of supervised driving experience, including 10 hours at night for a minimum of six months before advancing to…
- Brakes - multiple systems must be checked for proper vehicle maintenance, including the braking system, lights, windshield and wipers, tires, steering system, suspension system, exhaust system, and engine.
- Insurance - The Montana Driver Manual section on Motor Vehicle Insurance Requirements clearly states that Montana law requires all motor vehicle owners to maintain minimum liability insurance coverage or…
- Motorcycles - According to the Montana Driver Manual, the motorcycle learner license is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
- Accidents - certain commercial or heavy vehicles are required to carry flares or other warning devices.
- Seat belts & restraints - safety belts are required to be worn at all times while the vehicle is in operation.
- Teen / provisional drivers - to be eligible for a Non-Commercial Learner Permit (NCLP) without traffic education, the applicant must be at least 16 years old.
- Railroad crossings - According to the Montana Driver Manual, railroad cross buck signs are part of the railroad crossing warning signs/signals system.
How to schedule your Montana permit test
You can typically schedule your Montana permit test online through the official Montana DMV / motor-vehicle agency website. Bring proof of identity, residency, and (if under 18) the required parent/guardian documentation. Fees vary by jurisdiction - check your local DMV office for current pricing. Some states require completion of driver’s education before testing.
This page references rules from the Montana Driver’s Handbook. We are not affiliated with the Montana DMV.
Studying in a neighboring state?
Each state’s exam is different. If you’re studying for a different state, here are nearby ones: Idaho permit test practice, Wyoming permit test practice, South Dakota permit test practice.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Montana permit test?
The Montana DMV permit test has 33 questions. You need to answer at least 80% correctly to pass.
What is the passing score for the Montana permit test?
You need 80% to pass - that’s roughly 26 out of 33 questions correct.
How old do I have to be to take the Montana permit test?
The minimum age in Montana is 14.5. Check your local DMV office for any additional requirements like a parent’s signature or driver’s education enrollment.
Can I retake the Montana permit test if I fail?
Yes. Most Montana DMV offices let you retake the test, often after a short waiting period. Some locations charge a small re-test fee. Check your local DMV office for the exact rules.
Is the DMV Ready app good for Montana?
It’s built around state-specific content. For Montana, that means 33-question practice exams at 80% pass mark, with questions drawn from the Montana driver handbook.
Practice unlimited Montana questions in DMV Ready
Same format as Montana: 33 questions per practice exam, 80% pass mark. Free to start; Premium $4.99/mo or $14.99 once.
Practice in another state
Each state writes its own permit test - same general rules, different specific questions. Pick yours: