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Montana driving lesson · Speed, Space & Road Conditions

Animals, riders and drivers who need room

A 3-minute lesson from the Montana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Speed, Space & Road Conditions
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
77, 78

Some road users need extra space: slow farm and horse-drawn vehicles, animals and riders, and drivers who can't see you, are distracted, or seem confused.

Know the rule

The fluorescent or reflective orange slow-moving vehicle triangle must be displayed on animal-drawn vehicles and most farm and construction equipment; the Postal Service requires it on rural mail vehicles. Pass only when safe.

Handbook p. 77 ↗

Near animals or horse-drawn vehicles

  • Always give the right-of-way to an animal being led, ridden or driven
  • Slow down
  • Stop if the animal or vehicle is coming toward you or crossing your path; let it pass
  • If it's going your way, allow plenty of room to pass at a reasonable speed
  • Don't honk your horn or make a loud noise
  • If the animal looks scared, pull to the side and stop; go on only when safe
  • Stop if a rider or driver signals you to
Handbook p. 77 ↗

Know the rule

Horseback riders are subject to, and protected by, the rules of the road. They ride single file near the right edge or on a usable right shoulder, lane or path.

Handbook p. 78 ↗

Know the rule

Approaching a horse being ridden or led, drive at a reasonable speed and distance. It's illegal to sound your horn when approaching or passing a horse.

Handbook p. 78 ↗

Give extra room to people who can't see you

  • Drivers at intersections or driveways whose view is blocked
  • Drivers backing into the road or into or out of parking spaces
  • Drivers whose windows are covered with snow or ice or steamed up
  • Pedestrians with umbrellas in front of their faces or hats pulled down
Handbook p. 78 ↗

…and to people who may be distracted or confused

  • Delivery persons, construction workers and children
  • Drivers talking or texting, eating, putting on makeup or playing loud music
  • Tourists and others who don't seem to know where they're going
  • Drivers who slow down for no apparent reason
  • Drivers looking for street signs or house numbers
Handbook p. 78 ↗

Know the rule

If another driver makes a mistake — passing without enough room, or needing to change lanes suddenly — slow down and let them in. Don't make it worse.

Handbook p. 78 ↗

Put it into practice

A rider on horseback is on the shoulder ahead. Slow down, don't touch your horn, and pass at a reasonable speed with plenty of room. If the horse looks spooked, pull over and stop until it's safe.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Montana law makes it illegal to sound your horn when approaching or passing what?
  1. A bicyclist on the shoulder
  2. A slow-moving farm tractor
  3. A funeral procession
  4. A horse being ridden or led

Answer: A horse being ridden or led

The law requires due care near a horse being ridden or led, and it is illegal to sound your horn when approaching or passing one.

Handbook p. 78 ↗
A rider is leading a horse along the road toward you, and the horse looks scared. What should you do?
  1. Pass quickly to get by it
  2. Tap the horn to warn the rider
  3. Pull to the side and stop
  4. Flash your headlights once

Answer: Pull to the side and stop

If an animal you're approaching looks scared, pull your vehicle to the side and stop, and proceed only when it's safe.

Handbook p. 77 ↗
A driver ahead slows for no clear reason and seems to be reading house numbers. How should you treat this driver?
  1. As a hazard you should pass quickly
  2. As possibly confused; give room
  3. As a driver waving you around
  4. As an impaired driver to report

Answer: As possibly confused; give room

Drivers who slow for no apparent reason or look for house numbers may be confused, so give them extra room.

Handbook p. 78 ↗
Horseback riders on Montana roads are subject to, and protected by, the rules of the road.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Horseback riders are subject to and protected by the rules of the road, and must ride single file near the right edge.

Handbook p. 78 ↗
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