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Montana driving lesson · Your License

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

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
Your License
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
17, 18

Montana's Graduated Driver Licensing program moves drivers under 18 to full privileges in three steps. Crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for teens, whose highest lifetime crash risk is the first months of solo driving and first 1,000 miles.

The three GDL steps

The three GDL steps
StepWhat it isKey limits
1Instruction permit (NCLP)Supervised only; 50 hrs incl. 10 at night
2First-year restricted licenseNo driving 11 p.m.–5 a.m.; passenger limits
3Full-privilege licenseFull privileges
Handbook p. 17 ↗

Step 1 requirements

  • At least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, over a minimum of six months
  • Supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or responsible adult, or a licensed adult they authorize
  • Everyone in the vehicle wears a seatbelt
  • No traffic violations or alcohol/drug offenses in the six months before Step 2
Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

A teenager under 18 must hold an NCLP for at least six consecutive months before applying for a first-year restricted license.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

For Step 2, pay the fees and bring all required documents, including the completed GDL Parent/Legal Guardian/Responsible Adult Certification form, to the driver exam station.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
1 year

How long the restriction code stays on a first-year license

Handbook p. 18 ↗
11 p.m.–5 a.m.

Hours a restricted-license teen may not drive

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Exceptions to the night-driving limit

  • Emergencies
  • Farm-related activities
  • Travel to and from school, church or work
  • Specific purposes authorized by a parent, guardian or responsible adult
Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

Law enforcement may contact the teen's parent, guardian or responsible adult to verify why the teen is driving during restricted hours.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Passenger limits (unless a licensed adult driver supervises)

Passenger limits (unless a licensed adult driver supervises)
PeriodUnrelated passengers under 18
First six monthsOne
Second six monthsThree
Handbook p. 18 ↗

Penalties for breaking Step 2 restrictions

Penalties for breaking Step 2 restrictions
OffensePenalty
First20 to 60 hours of community service
SecondLicense suspended for six months
Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

Everyone in the vehicle must also wear a seatbelt in Step 2.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

Step 2 restrictions end automatically on the date shown on the back of the license, or when the teen turns 18 — whichever comes first.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Put it into practice

You're 16 and four months into your restricted license. Three friends (not relatives) want a ride home from practice. Without a licensed adult supervising, you may carry only one unrelated passenger under 18 — take one friend.

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.

How many hours of supervised driving practice, including night hours, must a permit holder complete under GDL Step 1?
  1. 30 hours, including 5 at night
  2. 50 hours, including 10 at night
  3. 40 hours, including 10 at night
  4. 50 hours, including 20 at night

Answer: 50 hours, including 10 at night

GDL Step 1 requires at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, over a minimum of six months.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
A 16-year-old has held a NCLP for 4 months. Can they apply for a first-year restricted license?
  1. Yes, as soon as the written test is passed
  2. Yes, if they have completed 50 hours of driving
  3. No, it must be held six months first
  4. No, they must wait until age 17

Answer: No, it must be held six months first

A teenager under 18 must hold the NCLP for a minimum of six consecutive months before applying for GDL Step 2.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
During the first six months of a first-year restricted license, how many unrelated passengers under 18 may a teen driver carry, unless supervised by a licensed adult?
  1. Two
  2. Three
  3. Zero
  4. One

Answer: One

For the first six months of the restricted license, only one unrelated passenger under 18 is allowed unless a licensed adult is present.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
During the second six months of a first-year restricted license, how many unrelated passengers under 18 may a teen driver carry, unless supervised by a licensed adult?
  1. Three
  2. One
  3. Four
  4. Unlimited

Answer: Three

During the second six months, the restricted license allows up to three unrelated passengers under 18 without adult supervision.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
Under a first-year restricted license, during what hours is night driving generally prohibited?
  1. 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  2. 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
  3. Midnight to 5:00 a.m.
  4. 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Answer: 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Restricted license holders may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with limited exceptions.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
A restricted license holder commits a second violation of their license restrictions. What happens?
  1. Their license is suspended for six months
  2. They repeat GDL Step 1
  3. They receive 100 hours of community service
  4. Their license is revoked until age 18

Answer: Their license is suspended for six months

A second violation results in a six-month suspension of the teen's driver license.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
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