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!