Driving Tests

Montana Permit Test (MVD Written Test): What’s on It and 3 Tries

informational·how to guide·Published July 22, 2026

What is on the Montana written driver’s test, and how many tries do you get?

The Montana written test checks that you can read and understand highway signs and that you know Montana traffic laws. A vision test of at least 20/40 in one eye goes with it. Book a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) exam station appointment online or at 1 (406) 444-1772. One licensing receipt lasts one year and allows three attempts to pass all required tests.

Where the Montana written test facts come from

The test topics come from Montana law, section 61-5-110 of the Montana Code Annotated. Study tips, the vision standard and the three-attempt rule come from the Montana Driver Manual (May 2026 file). Booking and teen steps come from the MVD page for drivers under 18. The MVD pages for drivers 18 and over, drivers new to Montana, new driver licenses, driver license forms and FAQs give the other facts. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (mvdmt.gov) before you drive.

What is on the Montana written test?

Montana law splits the licensing exam into an eyesight test and a knowledge test. The knowledge test checks two things: that you can read and understand highway signs, and that you know Montana traffic laws.
A first-time adult applicant must pass the vision, written and road tests. A teen 15 or older at an exam station takes the written and vision tests to get a learner permit. The driver manual still lists 16 as the permit age without traffic education, so confirm the age with the MVD when you book. Try our free question on which tests a first-time adult must pass to check what you know.

Which tests you take in Montana, by situation

Which tests you take in Montana, by situation
Your situation	Tests you take	Where
Age 15 or older, no driver training class	Written and vision tests, for a learner permit	Any MVD exam station; the permit is issued there
Age 14½ in a state-approved traffic education course	The course attendance and testing requirements	Your instructor issues the permit
Age 18 or older, first license	Written and vision tests, then the road test	MVD exam station
New resident with a valid out-of-state license	Vision test; bring the hard copy of your license to avoid testing	MVD exam station, in person, within 60 days of the move
License from Taiwan or the Republic of Korea	No knowledge or skills test	Contact the MVD

How to study for the Montana written test

Read the whole Montana Driver Manual. The manual says you cannot pass the written and road tests unless you know what it contains.
Spend extra time on Chapter 3 (signs, signals and markings) and Chapter 4 (driving rules). Signs and traffic laws are the two test topics.
Take the Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 quizzes, then check your answers in the quiz answers section near the end of the manual.
Check what you know with free practice questions, for example this one on the red STOP sign. They are practice questions, not the official test.

How to book and take the Montana written test

1
Pre-apply online
You can pre-apply online and fill in your information before the appointment. This saves time at the exam station.
2
Schedule an appointment
Book online through mvdmt.gov, or call the Customer Care Center at 1 (406) 444-1772, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Teens must say that the appointment is for a regular written exam.
3
Gather your documents
Bring proof of identity, proof of Montana residency and proof of authorized presence. The MVD scans copies and gives the originals back. Know your Social Security number, because the MVD checks it at your appointment.
4
Bring parental consent if you are under 18
You need a consent form signed by a parent, guardian or responsible adult before testing can start. By signing, the adult accepts financial responsibility for damage from your driving.
5
Pay and take the tests
Pay the fees by cash, check or most major credit cards. Then take the written and vision tests at the exam station.

How many times can you take the Montana written test?

You get three attempts on one receipt. The Montana Driver Manual says a licensing receipt is valid for one year and, for people who test, allows three attempts within that year to pass all required exams.
Receipts cannot be renewed. If you do not finish the licensing process within one year, you must re-apply and start the licensing process over.

What happens after you pass the Montana written test?

You are 15 or older and took no driver training class

The MVD issues your learner permit at the exam station. Read our guide to Montana learner’s permit rules for supervision and the next steps.

You are in a traffic education course

Montana law lets the MVD waive the knowledge test when a certified cooperative driver testing program certifies that you passed it. Online or third-party traffic education courses are not approved, so ask your local school district.

You are 18 or older

You can now book the driving test, which needs a passed written test first. See what to bring in our guide to the Montana driving test.

Key takeaways

The written test covers highway signs and Montana traffic laws. A vision test of at least 20/40 in one eye goes with it.
Book online through mvdmt.gov or call 1 (406) 444-1772. Teens ask for a regular written exam and bring signed parent consent.
One receipt lasts one year and allows three attempts to pass all required tests. After that year, you re-apply and start over.
Adults must pass the written test before the driving test.
Next step: practice on the free Montana Class D practice test.

Montana written test: common questions

Can I walk in for the Montana written test?

The MVD says an appointment is always recommended. Its online scheduler lets you schedule, view, change or cancel an appointment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Booking online also helps you avoid a wait on the phone when the Customer Care Center lines are busy.

Is the Montana permit test the same as the written test?

Yes. The MVD and the driver manual call it the written test, and Montana law calls it the knowledge test. When you pass it and the vision test, you get a Non-Commercial Learner Permit (NCLP). The permit is valid for one year from the date the MVD issues it.

Is the Montana driver manual available in Spanish or other languages?

Yes. The MVD forms page lists the driver manual in Spanish, Arabic, Dari and Swahili. The Office of Public Instruction also offers an adapted illustrated driver manual. Our free practice questions are in English only, so a translated manual can help when English is hard for you.

What vision do I need for a Montana learner permit?

You need at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without glasses or contact lenses. You take the vision test at the same visit as the written test. If a medical condition or a change in your vision can affect your driving, the MVD asks for a Driver Medical Evaluation (form 20-1900) and/or an Eye Evaluation (form 20-1801) signed by your physician or provider.