Montana Online Driver Education and Montana Licensing Procedures

The process of applying for your Montana learner’s permit or first Montana driver’s license can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be if you have the right information. This short guide will give you all the necessary facts to ensure that you don’t hit any snags while applying for your first Montana driver’s license.

The first thing you need to know is that Montana has a “Graduated Driver License Program()”:http://gdl.kytc.ky.gov/ that is specially geared toward newer drivers. The program will allow you to safely gain driving experience in stages, before being granted full driving privileges. Here are the basics:

The Montana Instructional Permit or Montana Learner’s Permit

When you turn 14 and a half, you can apply for a Montana Traffic Education Learner’s License (TELL), provided you are enrolled in a Montana approved traffic education program. This license allows you to drive with your parent or legal guardian beside you. The fee for the Montana TELL license is $35.50.

Once you turn 15, you can then apply for a Montana learner’s permit, provided you can satisfy the following Montana requirements:

  • You are 15 years old
  • You have completed a Montana approved traffic education program (or 16 years old)
  • You can provide proof of identity
  • You can provide proof of Montana residency
  • Proof of authorized presence
  • License fee
  • You can provide parental consent

The next step is to make an “appointment()”:http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/appointmentscheduling.asp, then bring these materials to your local Montana Driver Examination Station. If you can pass the required driver license tests, then congratulations! You just earned your Montana Learner’s Permit, which is valid for 1 year.

A few things to remember about your learner’s permit: you can only practice driving with your parent, guardian, or driving instruction. But when you turn 16, you can also practice with a licensed driver who is 21. Also, all passengers must wear seatbelts, and you must be sure to carry your Montana learner’s permit with you at all times.

After you’ve had your Montana learner’s permit for 6 months, you’re now ready for the next step in the Montana Graduated License Program, the Montana First-Year Restricted License

The Montana First Year Restricted License and Montana Full License

Congratulations for making it this far! Before heading back to your local Montana Driver Examination Station to apply for your Montana First Year Restricted License, you’ll need to make sure you can satisfy a few “Montana State requirements()”:http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/driverlicensing.asp%22%20%5Cl%20%22graduateddriverlicensing

  • Responsible use of your Montana learner’s permit, which means going at least 6 months without incident
  • This includes a completed “Graduated Driver Licensing Parent/Legal Guardian Certification form()”:http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/forms.asp%22%20%5Cl%20%22driverlicensing
  • License fee
  • Complete 50 hours of supervised driving
  • 10 hours must be at night
  • Bring all “required documents()”:http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/requireddocuments.asp

If you’ve completed these requirements, head on down to your local Montana Driver Service Center again, where you’ll pay the required fee and submit your Montana First Year Restricted License application. The next step is the dreaded road test (which shouldn’t really be a problem because of all the practice and studying you’ve done, right?) ! If you pass, then give yourself a pat on the back: you’ve just earned your Montana First Year Restricted License!

Montana Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

Despite how far you’ve come, there remain several restrictions on your Montana First-Year Driver’s license that you need to keep in mind:

  • Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt
  • Be aware that law enforcement may contact your parents to verify
  • For first 6 months, only one passenger unless driving with someone 21 or older
  • No driving between 11PM and 5AM unless for emergencies, farm-related, school, or church activities
  • For second 6 months, only three passengers unless driving with someone 21 or older

The penalties for violating the above Montana License restrictions are:

  • 20-60 hours community service for first violation
  • 6 month teen license suspension for second violation
  • And don’t forget, if your license is suspended that will only delay you getting a full license. Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right!

You will earn your Montana full privilege driver license once the date on the back of your license has passed (provided you have no traffic or alcohol-related violations). Congrats!

Montana Auto Insurance And Financial Responsibility Laws

Just getting a Montana full driver’s license is only the first step toward being a responsible driver. You still need to get Montana “liability insurance()”:http://maine.gov/pfr/insurance/consumer/auto.htm. The minimum coverage is:

$25,000 per person for 1 person per accident
$50,000 bodily injury for 2 people per accident
$10,000 for property damage

This is no joke. If you are found to be driving without Montana mandatory liability insurance, you could face the following penalties:

  • Your Montana vehicle license plates could be suspended for 90 days (first offense)
  • Up to 180 days (second offense)
  • A fine of up to $500
  • Up to 10 days in jail

Montana Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

As a new Montana driver, there is nothing more important than keeping yourself (and others) safe on the road. Therefore, it’s important for you to learn the Montana drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws.

Drunk Driving. Like most states, Montana has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Montana DUI or Montana DWI, you face penalties in addition to those listed below.

Upon your first conviction of a Montana DUI, you’ll face the following penalties:

  • Jail sentence of 24 hours to 6 months
  • $300-$1,000 fine
  • $600-$2000 fine (if passenger under 16 in vehicle)
  • License suspension 6 months
  • Jail sentence of 12 months (if passenger under 16 in vehicle)
  • Chemical Dependency Education Course or Treatment
  • Possible Ignition Interlock Device installation

And of course, further Montana DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Montana license suspension or even Montana license revocation.The bottom line: do NOT get behind the wheel drunk.

Cell Phone Use. Currently, there is no law prohibiting Montana teen drivers from using cell phones while driving. This doesn’t mean, however, that frequent cell phone use while driving is a good idea. You’ve no doubt been told this already but it bears repeating: a distracted driver is a dangerous driver!

Montana Online Driver Education

You will need to take a Montana approved traffic safety program. For more information on approved Montana online driver education courses, go to the “Montana Department of Transportation website()”:http://www.mdt.mt.gov/safety/young_drivers.shtml.

Happy driving!

Montana Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I pay the tuition fee for TeenDrivingCourse.com’s Montana online drivers education for new teen drivers course?
    You may make payment in the form of credit card or online check, or you may choose to mail in a payment by check or money order for the TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana online drivers ed course, but payment must be made prior to taking the final exam.
  • Do you offer several Federal Express options for shipping the TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana internet drivers ed certificate of completion?
    Yes! At registration, you can select your preferred method of your Montana certificate of completion. TeenDrivingCourse.com offers several different options for shipping, including regular US Mail and Federal Express. If you select regular US Mail, your online Montana traffic school certificate will be delivered in 7-10 business days. If you select Federal Express, you have several options! You can select Priority Overnight (by or before 10:30AM the next business morning), Standard Overnight (by or before 5PM the next business day), Second Day (by or before 5PM on the second business day), Express (by or before 5PM on the third business day), or Saturday delivery (by or before 12PM on Saturday) if you complete your online Montana traffic school course on a Friday.
    If I want to take the TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana internet drivers ed course, can you confirm that my payment will be secure over the internet?
    Yes! TeenDrivingCourse.com uses the very latest in SSL data encryption technology to make sure that your personal and payment information is 100% secure. We offer several payment methods for our Montana internet driver education course, including credit card, check and online check.
  • What is the cost of your Montana online drivers ed course?
    The TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana online drivers ed course or new drivers course is $24.99. Discounts may be available if you have a “refer a friend” discount code.
  • Can the Montana DMV/DVS office tell me if I am old enough to take a Montana online drivers ed course?
    We do recommend that you check with the Montana Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or DVS, Montana Department of Education, or Montana Department of Driver License Services to make sure that you are old enough to take Montana driver education. In most states, you must be at least 15 1/2 to take drivers ed for your learners permit.
    I’d like to take the Montana TeenDrivingCourse.com online drivers education course, but do I need to take the Montana internet drivers ed course all at one time?
    No, you can set your own schedule! Once you sign-up for the TeenDrivingCourse.com online drivers ed class, you can start the Montana learners permit course immediately or wait until later. You can start-and-stop the Montana online drivers ed course as often as you like !
  • Is it possible for my parents to receive a Montana insurance discount after I complete the Montana internet drivers ed course?
    In some states, insurance carriers do offer insurance discounts to families with teens who take a Montana internet drivers education course. If you are not sure if your Montana insurance provider offers discounts for Montana teen drivers, then your parents should ask before you enroll in this Montana internet drivers ed course.
  • Once I register for the Montana online driver education course, can I access it from anywhere?
    Yes. Once you have registered for the Montana online drivers ed course, you can access the Montana online driver education course from anyplace you like. Any computer with internet access can be used!
  • Am I allowed to start and stop the TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana online drivers ed course at any time?
    Yes! TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana internet drivers ed course can be taken either at one sitting, or you may choose to start and stop the TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana internet drivers education course as often as needed.
  • After I finish the Montana internet drivers education course, do you offer overnight shipping for my Montana certificate of completion?
    Yes, we do! At registration you may select expedited shipping through Federal Express, and you can receive your Montana certificate in as little as 24 hours.
  • How much total time should I expect to have to set aside for the Montana online driver education course?
    In total, about 30 hours of classroom instruction is what we offer you with our Montana online driver education course. However, in those states where timers are not required you may not have to spend the entire 30 hours taking the course.
    Is it too late for me to get a refund on my Montana online driver education course now that I have started the Montana online drivers ed course?
    Nope! As long as your Montana certificate of completion has not been shipped, it is not too late to ask for your money back on your Montana online driver education course. Compare this with our competitors, who will typically not honor refund requests after a certain point in the Montana learners permit course.
  • What should I do if I have trouble reading the large amounts of text contained in the Montana online driver education course? Does TeenDrivingCourse.com provide options that will make this less of a problem?
    If you struggle to read large amounts of text, TeenDrivingCourse.com has made a special “Read Along” feature available. It works by reading the material aloud as you follow along with the Montana online drivers ed class text. You can order this feature when you register for the Montana online drivers ed class.
  • How do I know whether or not the Montana drivers education course TeenDrivingCourse.com offers to new drivers over the internet meets all Montana drivers education class requirements?
    The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (or whichever state department maintains driving records in Montana) will be able to tell you whether TeenDrivingCourse.com will fulfill your state’s driver education requirements or whether TeenDrivingCourse.com may be taken as a supplement to the driver education and/or training you will receive at a state-approved driving school.
  • What paperwork will they ask me for when I go to take the Montana learners permit test?
    Different states require different documents from learner’s permit applicants, although you most likely will be asked to show your completion certificate from a Montana driver education online or classroom course. Many states require applicants to present additional paperwork including, but not limited to, a birth certificate, parental consent forms, or proof school enrollment forms. To find out exactly what documents you should have with you when you go to take your Montana learner’s permit test, TeenDrivingCourse.com recommends that you visit the Montana DMV website or call one of their local offices in your area.

Generally, you’re allowed to take the Montana learners permit test as soon as you have the following documents: the Montana driver education certificate of completion and the Montana driver training certificate of enrollment. Once you have these documents, you’re eligible to begin learning to drive and can go to the Montana licensing office in your area to take the Montana learners permit test. Again, this is a general rule and may not apply in Montana.

  • Will I be able to review the previous Montana online drivers ed course chapter material if I do poorly on one or more of the TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana online drivers ed course quizzes?
    Yes, if you fail one or more of the Montana internet drivers ed course quizzes, you will be allowed to review the previous TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana online drivers ed course chapters.
  • What sets the TeenDrivingCourse.com Montana online driver education course apart from all of the Montana classroom drivers ed courses?
    What sets the Montana online drivers ed course at TeenDrivingCourse.com apart is that there’s no need to worry that you’ll be spending hours on end in a classroom listening to a lecture. TeenDrivingCourse.com gives you the freedom to learn how you want, where you want and when you want! If your state does not allow online driver education, then you may be required to attend a Montana driver ed class. Even so, the Montana driver ed course offered by TeenDrivingCourse.com makes an excellent supplementary learning tool that will further reinforce what you learn in the classroom
  • Will I be expected to submit proof of ID as I’m taking the Montana online driver education course?
    Only if you live in a state that requires it. If TeenDrivingCourse.com needs to verify your ID, it will probably take the form of personal questions we ask you during the registration process and at different points during the Montana online drivers ed course. Most states do not require ID verification, however, and we’ll inform you if yours does.