How to Get a Montana Provisional License

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New drivers in Montana will participate in the state’s graduated licensing program to get a license.

The graduated licensing program includes stages to ease new drivers into driving. The program helps new drivers get experience behind the wheel while understanding road rules through testing.

The stages of the program include:

  • Learner’s permit
  • Provisional license
  • Unrestricted license

By now, you’ll have received your Montana learner’s permit.

The following is how to upgrade the learner’s permit into a provisional license.

The Montana Provisional License: Step-by-Step

The requirements when applying to Montana’s program are the following:

  • 14 ½ years old and taking a driver’s education program
  • 15 years old if you’re not taking a driver’s ed program

You’ll have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months before applying for the provisional. During this time, you’ll also have completed 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experience. You should also not have received any traffic violations within the 6 months leading up to the application.

To get your provisional license:

  1. Locate and go to your nearest MT DMV (find one here)
  2. Have permission from your parent or guardian
    1. See: Form 21-1600
  3. Provide your proofs:
    1. Identification
    2. MT residency
    3. S. presence
  4. Take and pass the road test
  5. Pay the $5.15/yr license fee

The driving test will examine your ability to handle a vehicle.

You’ll be accompanied by a supervisor and go through a list of driving checks. Your behind-the-wheel experience should have given you enough practice to ace the test or if you’ve taken driver’s ed. If not, consider taking extra time to practice your driving abilities.

Provisional License Restrictions

The Montana provisional license gives you greater driving freedoms – but it does have restrictions:

  • You may only drive unsupervised between 5 AM to 11 PM unless for work, school, etc.
  • You can only have 1 non-family passenger under 18 years older for the first 6 months unless you’re accompanied by a licensed adult (18+)
  • You may have up to 3 non-family passengers under 18 for the first 6 months if a licensed driver (18+) accompanies you during the drive

Do not you must also respect any and all road rules when behind the wheel. Else, you may cause a conflict with your ability to upgrade the license!

Upgrading a Provisional into an Unrestricted License

Your provisional license automatically becomes an unrestricted license when you’ve held it for at least a year. Or, you turned 18 years old. You’re not free to drive as you, please.

Want a complete overview of the adult license process or if applying when older? See our MT licensing guide.