Driving Tests

Montana Teen Driving Laws: Curfew, Passenger Limits and GDL Steps

informational·how to guide·Published July 17, 2026

What can a teen do with a first Montana license?

A Montana first-year restricted license limits a teen for 1 year or until age 18, whichever comes first. The teen may not drive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless an exception applies. For the first 6 months, no more than one passenger under 18 may ride along; for the second 6 months, the limit is three. Every occupant must wear a seatbelt.

Where the Montana license rules come from

The restrictions come from Montana Code Annotated 61-5-133. The penalties come from section 61-5-134 and section 61-5-217. The license requirements come from section 61-5-132, the MVD Drivers Under 18 page, form 21-1600, the Montana Driver Manual (May 2026) and the MVD teen driving guide. The rules in this guide are current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (mvdmt.gov) before you drive.

Montana first-year restrictions at a glance

Montana first-year restrictions at a glance
Rule	What applies
How long	1 year from the issue date, or until age 18 if that comes first
Seatbelts	Each occupant wears a seatbelt, and occupants may not outnumber seatbelts
Night driving	None from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless an exception applies
Passengers under 18, first 6 months	One, unless a licensed driver 18 or older supervises or the extra passengers are family
Passengers under 18, second 6 months	Three, with the same two exceptions
Motorcycle, first 6 months	No passenger under 18

What are the three steps of Montana graduated licensing?

Montana’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program has three steps for new drivers under 18. The goal of the law is to let young drivers build their skills step by step in the safest possible setting.
Step 1 is the instruction permit. MVD calls it the Non-Commercial Learner Permit (NCLP), and the law calls it a learner license. Step 2 is the First-Year Restricted License. Step 3 is the full-privilege license. For the permit rules, see our guide to Montana learner’s permit rules.

How does a teen get the Montana first-year restricted license?

1
Hold the permit for at least 6 months
The law says the teen must hold a learner license or Traffic Education Permit for not less than 6 months. The MVD page says 6 months plus 1 day, so ask MVD for the exact date.
2
Finish traffic education and log 50 hours
Finish a traditional traffic education course approved in Montana. A parent or legal guardian (or, if none is available, a responsible adult) then certifies in writing at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night. The law also names an alternative course with 75 hours, 15 at night, but the driver manual says online and third-party courses are not approved. Our Montana driver’s ed guide explains the course options.
3
Keep a clean record for 6 months
In the 6 months before the application, the teen may have no traffic conviction, no alcohol or drug offense and no pending citation. If the parent cannot certify this, the department may extend the learner license by 1 more year, or until age 18 if that comes first.
4
Bring form 21-1600 to the drive test
Bring the completed Graduated Driver Licensing Parent/Legal Guardian Certification (form 21-1600) to the drive test appointment.
5
Pass the road test
The teen must pass a road test or skills test. After the test, MVD issues a license with a restriction code on the front and back.

How long does the Montana restricted license last?

The restrictions apply for 1 year from the date the license is issued, or until the driver turns 18, whichever comes first. Every license issued to a driver under 18 has them.
The end date is printed on the back of the license. On that date, or at 18 if that comes first, the restrictions end automatically and the license has full privileges.

What is the Montana teen seatbelt rule?

A restricted driver may not drive unless each person in the vehicle wears a seatbelt or is properly restrained. The number of people in the vehicle also may not be higher than the number of seatbelts. A car with five seatbelts can carry five people, counting the driver. Try our free question on how many people a teen with a restricted license may carry.

When may a Montana teen drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.?

A licensed driver who is 18 or older rides along.
The teen drives from home to work, from work back home, or as part of the job.
The teen drives to or from a school-sponsored event at the teen’s own school, including a school transportation site for the event.
The teen drives to or from an event that a religious organization sponsors.
The drive is for a medical, fire or law-enforcement emergency.
The only purpose is to move farm or ranch products, machinery or supplies within 150 miles of a farm or ranch headquarters.
The teen is an emancipated minor.
A parent or legal guardian gave a specific authorization for a specific purpose.

How many passengers can a Montana teen driver carry?

The limit counts passengers under 18. In the first 6 months of the 1-year period, the teen may carry no more than one. In the second 6 months, the limit is three. The limit does not apply when a licensed driver who is 18 or older supervises, or when the extra passengers are members of the teen’s family. Test yourself with our free question on the first six months passenger limit.

What are the penalties for breaking Montana teen license restrictions?

A teen is convicted of breaking a first-year restriction

The teen must perform 20 to 60 hours of community service.

The conviction is the second or a later one

The department suspends the license for 6 months. No probationary license is issued during the suspension.

The teen breaks a rule that can cost an adult the license

The department can suspend or revoke the privileges of a driver under 18 in the same way and for the same causes as an adult.

Should parents set a stricter curfew than the law?

State law sets the minimum. The MVD teen driving guide says that families need to set other rules and limits for their teen drivers. It suggests an earlier family curfew, between sundown and 9 p.m., especially on weekends in the first six months. That is advice, not law.

Key takeaways

The restrictions last 1 year or until age 18, whichever comes first, and every occupant needs a seatbelt.
No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless one of the eight exceptions in the law applies.
Passengers under 18: one for the first 6 months, then three. Family members do not count, and the limit does not apply with a licensed driver 18 or older.
A conviction brings 20 to 60 hours of community service. A second conviction brings a 6-month suspension.
Next step: practice on the free Montana Class D practice test.

Montana graduated license: common questions

Can a Montana teen drive home from work after 11 p.m.?

Yes. The night ban does not apply when a restricted driver drives from home to work, from work back home, or as part of the job. A late trip to a friend’s house is not on the list of exceptions. For that trip, the teen needs a licensed driver 18 or older in the car, or a specific authorization from a parent.

Do my younger brothers and sisters count toward the passenger limit?

No. The law says the limit does not apply when the extra passengers under 18 are members of the restricted driver’s family. Only passengers under 18 from outside the family count toward the limit of one in the first 6 months and three in the second 6 months. Passengers who are 18 or older are not part of the limit.

Can my parent give me permission to drive at night?

Yes, for a specific purpose. The law allows night driving when a parent or legal guardian gives a specific authorization for a specific purpose. A peace officer may check it by contacting the parent or guardian. MVD says that law enforcement may also contact a responsible adult to verify the purpose of the night drive.

Do the Montana teen restrictions apply on a motorcycle?

Yes. A rider under 18 with a motorcycle-only endorsement is a restricted licensee too. For the first 6 months, the teen may not carry a passenger under 18 on a motorcycle. At night, the adult exception applies only when a licensed driver 18 or older rides with the teen on a separate motorcycle or in another vehicle and keeps the teen in close view.

Do the Montana teen restrictions apply if we move here with an out-of-state license?

Yes, under 18. A teen who held a license in another state for at least 6 months and surrenders it does not need the Montana permit period, road test, traffic education or practice hours. A parent or legal guardian still certifies a clean record for the last 6 months. Montana then issues the license subject to the first-year restrictions, because they apply to each license issued under 18.