Montana learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Montana doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
14 years, 6 months
Fees
$31.42 total
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
Not publishedSources 123
Passing score
75%Sources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$31.42 totalThe learner license fee depends on age and includes the 3% admin fee: $31.42 at age 15 ($36.57 at 14½, $26.27 at 16, $21.12 at 17, $15.97 at 18, $62.32 for a 12-year license at 21–63). The receipt covers three test attempts within a year, and there is no separate test fee. Amounts are from MVD's Licensing Fees page as archived on 2026-03-16 (the live page blocks automated access); the age-15 amount is used as the usual minimum learner age.Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
14 years, 6 months14 years 6 months only if participating in or completed a state-approved traffic education course; otherwise 15 with completed approved driver education, or 16 without driver education (Montana Driver Manual; MCA 61-5-106).Sources 478
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)Sources 478
Hold your permit
6 months minimumSources 478
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
If you fail
A written examination may not be given to an applicant more than once in each day (ARM 23.3.126)Sources 123
Vision standard
20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together for an unrestricted licensecorrective-lens restriction if worse than 20/40 uncorrected; daylight/speed-restricted license possible down to 20/70; denied if worse than 20/100 (ARM 23.3.119).Sources 478

From permit to full license

  • Step 1 learner license (NCLP) from 14.5 (with traffic ed) / 15 (with driver ed) / 16; must be held 6 consecutive months by drivers under 18, with 50 hours supervised driving including 10 at night, supervised by a licensed parent/guardian or authorized adult.
  • Step 2 first-year restricted license: no driving 11 p.m.-5 a.m. (limited exceptions); first 6 months max one unrelated passenger under 18, second 6 months max three, unless supervised.
  • Step 3 full privileges when the one-year restriction ends or at age 18, whichever is first.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division website: mvdmt.gov.

Sources

  1. rules.mt.gov
  2. rules.mt.gov
  3. mca.legmt.gov: 0610 0050 0010 0100
  4. mvdmt.gov: 25 0100M Montana Driver Manual English 05.26
  5. mvdmt.gov: licensing fees
  6. mca.legmt.gov: 0610 0050 0010 0110
  7. mca.legmt.gov: 0610 0050 0010 0060
  8. rules.mt.gov: RuleNo
  9. mvdmt.gov: drivers under 18

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