Montana driver license guide

The basics for Montana, in plain English. Every fact links to the official page it came from, so you can confirm it yourself. The MVD websites (dojmt.gov, mvdmt.gov, mtrealid.gov) blocked all access, so every fact and step comes from the Montana Code Annotated 2025 on the Legislature's official site (mca.legmt.gov). Last checked Nov 15, 2026.

Getting a Montana learner licenseSteps and official links →Getting your first Montana driver licenseSteps and official links →Renewing a Montana driver licenseSteps and official links →Getting a REAL ID in MontanaSteps and official links →Moving to Montana: transferring your licenseSteps and official links →Replacing a lost Montana driver licenseSteps and official links →

Facts

Montana at a glance

Rules and fees change. Use the source link to confirm before you go.

Minimum age for a learner license: 15. Exceptions: 14½ while taking an approved traffic education course, and as young as 13 for a hardship-restricted license.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Learner license through traffic education: At 14½ if you have completed, or are taking, a traffic education course approved by the state.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Learner license validity: 1 year from the date it is issued.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Tests for a learner license: You must pass the knowledge test and a vision exam before the learner license is issued.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
What the knowledge test covers: Reading and understanding highway signs, and Montana traffic laws.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Who can supervise (under 18): A licensed driver must sit beside you. If you are under 18, that is a parent or guardian, or a licensed driver 18+ with the parent's permission.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Seatbelts on a learner license: Everyone in the vehicle must be buckled up when the learner is under 18.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Parent signature: Applicants under 18 need a parent (or another responsible adult) to sign and verify the application before a notary or MVD employee.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Liability of the adult who signs: The signer shares liability for the minor's negligent driving unless the minor is covered by a liability insurance policy.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
What the application asks for: Full legal name, date of birth, sex, residence address, a brief description, and where you were licensed in the past 10 years.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Holding period before a license (under 18): At least 6 months on a learner license or traffic education permit.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Traffic education (under 18): Under-18 applicants must complete an approved traffic education course (traditional or an approved alternative course).Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Supervised driving hours: 50 hours including 10 at night after a traditional traffic education course, certified in writing by a parent or guardian.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Hours with an alternative course: 75 hours including 15 at night if you took an alternative traffic education course approved by the Department of Justice.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Clean record before licensing: A parent must certify no traffic, alcohol or drug convictions and no pending citations in the 6 months before you apply; otherwise the learner license can be extended.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Road test: A road or skills test is part of the license exam, taken in a vehicle representative of the class you are applying for.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
License before 18: Requires 6 months on a learner license, a passed road test, traffic education plus certified practice hours, and a clean 6-month record; first-year restrictions apply.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
How long first-year restrictions last: 1 year from issue, or until age 18 if that comes first.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Night driving limit: No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless with a licensed driver 18+ or for listed reasons (work, school or religious events, emergencies, farm work, parent authorization).Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Passenger limit: First 6 months: no more than one passenger under 18; next 6 months: no more than three (family members and supervised trips excepted).Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Driver's license fee: $5 for each year (or part of a year) of the license term.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
License term: Up to 12 years, ending no later than the 75th birthday; licenses issued at 75 or older last up to 4 years.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Licenses issued under 21: Expire on the driver's 21st birthday.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
When you can renew: From 6 months before until 1 year after the expiration date.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Renewing online or by mail: Allowed, but not two renewals in a row, not if expired over 1 year, and not with a name, address or birth-date change.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Term of an online/mail renewal: 12 years for a standard license, 8 years for a REAL ID license.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Checks at renewal: MVD runs a driving-record check and tests your eyesight when you renew.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Renewal notice: Sent between 120 and 30 days before the license expires.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
REAL ID: REAL ID is optional: you choose a standard or a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Standard and REAL ID together: You cannot hold a valid standard card and a valid REAL ID card at the same time.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Address on a REAL ID: A REAL ID license must show your Montana residence address unless a department rule allows otherwise.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
U.S. citizen marker: From January 1, 2026, licenses of U.S. citizens carry an eagle image.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
When new residents need a Montana license: After living in Montana for more than 60 consecutive days.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Tests for new residents: A valid out-of-state license (or one expired less than 1 year) can be surrendered for a Montana license with only a vision exam and fees.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
New residents under 18: Teens licensed in another state for at least 6 months skip the holding-period, road-test and traffic-education requirements.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Replacement license fee: $10, with proof the license was lost or destroyed or that your information changed.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Replacing online: You can request a replacement online or by mail if MVD has your digital photo and signature on file.Source: mca.legmt.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Official links

Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)

These links open official government websites. USA DMV is an independent study site and is not affiliated with any of them.

Studying for the Montana knowledge test?

Two free Montana practice tests and a 10-question readiness check. No sign-up.

Practice free

Not a government website. USA DMV (usadmv.app) is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by any state DMV, the Texas Department of Public Safety or any other government agency. Practice questions are written to reflect official driver handbooks but are not the official test questions. Always confirm current requirements with your state’s licensing agency.