Montana Learner License

Montana offers two paths to a learner permit: the Traffic Education Learner License (TELL) at age 14 years 6 months for teens enrolled in an approved driver-education course, and the standalone learner license at age 15 for teens not taking driver ed. Both are administered by the Montana MVD and require parental consent for applicants under 18.

Traffic Education Learner License (TELL)

The TELL is the path most Montana teens take. To qualify, the applicant must be:

• At least 14 years 6 months old.
• Enrolled in an approved Montana traffic education course (in-school or commercial driver's school).
• Accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who signs the consent section of Form 21-301 in person at the MVD office.

The TELL allows behind-the-wheel practice with a licensed adult and is the prerequisite to taking the road test for a junior license at 15. The TELL must be held for at least 6 months before the holder can move to the next stage.

Standalone learner license

A teen who isn't taking driver education can apply for a standalone learner license at age 15. The requirements are similar but the holding period and supervised-practice expectations are stricter:

• The applicant must hold the license for at least 1 year before applying for a junior license at 16 — twice as long as the TELL holding period.
• The supervised-practice hour expectation is the same: 50 hours, with 10 at night.
• The applicant doesn't get the conviction-free advantages of completing driver education when the junior license issues.

Documents required

To apply for either type of Montana learner license, bring:

• One identity document — a U.S. birth certificate (with raised seal), valid U.S. passport, or Certificate of Naturalization.
• Proof of Social Security number — Social Security card, W-2, or SSA-1099.
• Two proofs of Montana residency from two different sources, dated within the past 60 days.
• A completed Form 21-301 with the parental consent section signed (for applicants under 18).
• For TELL applicants, a school enrollment verification or driver education enrollment letter.
• The fee (typically $5-$10 for the learner license).

Knowledge test

The learner license knowledge exam is the same 33-question multiple-choice test administered for a full Montana driver's license. You'll need to score at least 25/33 (76%) to pass. The test is drawn from the current Montana Driver Manual, which is available free on the Montana MVD website. Topics commonly tested: high-altitude driving, wildlife collision avoidance, right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections, school-bus passing rules, and the BAC limits described in our Montana DUI laws guide.

If you don't pass on the first try, Montana allows a retest the same day at most MVD offices, though some smaller offices require a 24-hour wait. The DMV does not cap the number of attempts but charges the testing fee on each attempt.

Driving privileges with a learner license

A Montana learner license comes with strict supervision rules:

• The permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed driver age 18 or older who has held a valid license for at least 1 year, seated in the front passenger seat.
• No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. except to or from work or school activities.
• The permit holder, supervising driver, and any passengers must wear seat belts at all times.
• No use of mobile phones while driving — Montana's distracted driving rules apply to permit holders without exception.

Supervised practice

Before applying for a junior license at 15 (or a full license at 16+), the learner permit holder must complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice documented in a parental log, with at least 10 of those hours at night. The log is signed by the supervising parent or guardian and submitted at the MVD office when the applicant tests for the next stage. Driver education students can include their behind-the-wheel instruction time in the log.

Out-of-state learners

Montana accepts out-of-state learner permits for visiting drivers with the same restrictions and supervision rules as Montana-issued permits. New residents under 18 must apply for a Montana learner license within 60 days of establishing residency. Supervised practice hours from another state typically count toward Montana's 50-hour requirement at the MVD's discretion, provided the previous log is signed.

Holding period summary

The holding period depends on which path you took:

• TELL holders: 6 months minimum before applying for a junior license at age 15.
• Standalone learner license holders: 1 year minimum before applying for a junior license at age 16.
• Adult applicants 18 or older: 6 months minimum before applying for a full Class D license.

The learner license itself is valid for 1 year and may be renewed once for an additional 6 months. Permit holders who turn 16 during the holding period have their permit converted automatically when they pass the road test.