Quick Tips for the Montana Graduate Driver’s License Program
Montana witnessed a graduate decrease in the number of young drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents, in part due to the GDL program which delays full licensure until the teen gains experience and develops defensive driving skills. In addition to the requirements listed below, new drivers under 16 years old must complete a driver education course before they are eligible for an unrestricted license.
A teenager can apply for their learner’s permit when they are 14 years and six months of age. They must hold this permit for at least six months while they acquire at least 10 hours of night driving experience plus 40 additional hours of night or day time driving. The teen must be supervised by a parent or licensed driver whenever they are behind the wheel.
When the teen is 15 years old and has held the permit for six months, they can apply for their intermediate license. This restricted license must be held for at least 12 months. During the first six months, the new driver is prohibited from having more than one passenger who younger than 18. For the second six months, the driver cannot have more than three passengers younger than 18. Throughout the entire 12 months, novice drivers are banned from driving unsupervised between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day.
An unrestricted license is available to driver’s age 16 or older.
More Important Information
Keep in mind that while Montana does not have a cell phone or texting ban, individual counties within the state do, and some of those counties may have specific rules for new drivers.
Drivers under age 21 are held to higher standards concerning alcohol and can be charged with a DUI if they have of blood alcohol concentration of .02 or higher. Any driver can be charged with DUI if they have a blood level of 5 ng/ml of THC, a component of marijuana, in their system.