Driving Tests

Montana Driving Test: What to Bring, Vehicle Rules and Teen Requirements

informational·how to guide·Published July 20, 2026

What do I need for the Montana driving test, and what car can I use?

Bring your current learner's permit, proof of current registration for the test vehicle, and proof of insurance on a card or a phone. The car must have no windshield cracks and working taillights, brake lights and turn signals. Drivers under 18 also bring a driving log and form 21-1600. Pass the written test first. One receipt gives three attempts within 1 year.

Where the Montana driving test facts come from

What to bring and the vehicle rules come from the Motor Vehicle Division page for new drivers 18 and over. The teen steps and the restricted license rules come from the MVD page for drivers under 18. What the road test must show, and which tests can be waived, comes from the Montana law on driver license examinations (MCA 61-5-110) and MCA 61-5-132 and 61-5-133. The receipt and Class D rules come from the Montana Driver Manual. Other facts come from the MVD Bring With Me Checklist, form 21-1600, the MVD FAQs and the MVD pages for new residents and on reciprocity. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (mvdmt.gov) before you drive.

What to bring to the Montana road test

Your current learner's permit.
Proof of current registration for the vehicle you use for the test.
Proof of insurance. A physical card works, and so does a digital copy on a phone.
A vehicle that passes the check in the next section.
Under 18: your driving log (paper or digital), a completed Graduated Driver Licensing Parent/Legal Guardian Certification (form 21-1600), and all required documents again, even if you showed them before. Our guide to Montana driver's license documents lists them.

What car can you use for the Montana driving test?

Use a vehicle without mechanical issues. For MVD, that means no cracks in the windshield, and working taillights, brake lights and turn signals. Before the appointment, check each light from outside the car. Our free question on how to check your lights before a trip shows how.
Under Montana law, you certify that the test vehicle is representative of the class of vehicle for the license you want. A Class D license covers any non-commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Montana also requires you to have and carry proof of liability insurance on the vehicle you drive.

How to get to your Montana driving test

1
Pass the written test first
You must pass the written test before you can take the driving test. Montana law lists an eyesight test and a knowledge test on highway signs and traffic laws, then the road test. Adults give the required documents at the written test appointment.
2
Make a drive test appointment
MVD recommends an appointment. Use the online appointment scheduler on mvdmt.gov. Teens book a regular drive test.
3
Check the car and pack your papers
Put the registration and the insurance card or phone copy where you can reach them. Teens add the driving log, form 21-1600 and their documents.
4
Take the road test
Montana law says the test must show that you can exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

Teen driving test requirements in Montana

Teen driving test requirements in Montana
Requirement	What you need
Time on the permit	At least 6 months. MVD counts 6 months + 1 day.
Supervised driving	50 hours with an adult, including 10 at night
Clean record	No traffic violations or alcohol or drug offenses in the six months before you advance
Form 21-1600	A parent, legal guardian or responsible adult signs it to certify the hours, the clean record and no pending citations

What happens if a teen cannot show a clean record?

If a parent cannot certify the six-month clean record, the teen can stay on the permit longer. Montana law lets the state extend the learner license for one more year or until age 18, whichever comes first. Our free question on the permit period and practice hours tests the 6-month and 50-hour rules with an example.

What does a teen get after passing the Montana road test?

After passing, the teen gets a driver license with a restriction code on the front and back. The restriction stays for one year, or until age 18 if that comes first. Teen drivers may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with some exceptions. For the first six months, a teen may have only one unrelated passenger under 18 unless a licensed driver 18 or older supervises. For the exceptions and the second six months, read our guide to Montana graduated driver's license rules.

Who can skip part of the Montana driving test?

You have a valid license from another state

Bring a hard copy of your valid out-of-state license to avoid testing. The law lets you surrender a license that is valid, or expired less than 1 year, for a Montana license with the fees and a vision exam.

You are under 18 and were licensed in another state for at least 6 months

If you surrender that valid license, you do not need the 6-month permit, the road test or the traffic education and hours steps.

Your high school traffic education course does the testing

If the course is a certified cooperative driver testing program, it can give the knowledge and road tests. The state may then waive its own test when the program certifies your pass.

You are a Taiwanese or Korean national with a license from that country

Montana has reciprocity agreements with Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. Taiwanese and Korean nationals who live in Montana can transfer a valid license without knowledge or skills testing.

Key takeaways

Bring your current learner's permit, proof of current registration for the test vehicle and proof of insurance, on a card or a phone.
The test car needs no windshield cracks and working taillights, brake lights and turn signals.
Pass the written test first. One receipt gives three attempts in one year to pass all required tests.
Teens hold the permit at least 6 months, log 50 hours (10 at night), and bring form 21-1600, the log and all documents again.
Next step: practice on the free Montana Class D practice test.

Montana driving test: common questions

Can I use my parents' car for the Montana driving test?

The MVD rules apply to the car you bring: proof of its current registration, proof of insurance on a card or a phone, no windshield cracks, and working taillights, brake lights and turn signals. For a Class D license, it must be a non-commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds that you certify is representative of that class.

What happens if I fail the Montana driving test?

Your licensing receipt is valid for one year. In that year, it gives you three attempts to pass all the required exams. Receipts cannot be renewed. If you do not finish the licensing process within one year, you must apply again and start the process over.

Do I need to bring my glasses to the Montana driving test?

Yes, if you need them to see. The MVD Bring With Me Checklist lists eyeglasses or contact lenses. Montana law includes an eyesight test in the license exam, and adults pass a vision test as well as the written and road tests. Wear the glasses or lenses that you use to drive.

Does a parent have to come to a Montana teen driving test?

The MVD Bring With Me Checklist lists a responsible adult for applicants under 18, so bring one. A parent, legal guardian or responsible adult also signs form 21-1600 and adds their own driver license number. The form goes to the driver examination station after the minimum six-month permit period.