Montana: Licensing basics — Types of Licenses, Applying, and New Residents Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What must drivers always have in their possession when driving in Montana?” · “A Class D basic driver license allows you to drive any non-commercial vehicle under what gross vehicle weight?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Montana Driver Manual" (Revised April 2024), Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division.
All 20 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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What must drivers always have in their possession when driving in Montana?
- A valid Montana driver license
- A certified copy of their birth certificate
- Their Social Security card
- A receipt for their last license fee
Show answer
Correct answer: A valid Montana driver license
The licensing quick reference says drivers must always have a valid Montana driver license in their possession.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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Besides a motorcycle, which vehicle does the licensing quick reference say requires a motorcycle endorsement?
- An all-terrain vehicle
- A farm tractor
- A motor scooter
- A three-wheel vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: A motor scooter
The quick reference states that motorcycle endorsements are required to operate a motorcycle or motor scooter.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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How many consecutive days do new residents have to apply to convert a valid commercial license?
- 15 consecutive days
- 30 consecutive days
- 90 consecutive days
- 120 consecutive days
Show answer
Correct answer: 30 consecutive days
New residents have 60 consecutive days for a regular license and 30 consecutive days for a commercial license.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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A new resident may use a valid license from the jurisdiction they moved from for up to how many consecutive days before having to surrender it and qualify for a Montana license?
- 10 consecutive days
- 90 consecutive days
- 180 consecutive days
- 60 consecutive days
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Correct answer: 60 consecutive days
The manual allows a valid out-of-state license to be used for up to 60 consecutive days, after which it must be surrendered.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 3
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What must a new resident have to exchange a basic out-of-state license for a Montana license without a written or road test?
- An out-of-state license that expired within the past year
- A certified copy of their out-of-state driving record
- A valid out-of-state license in their immediate possession
- A letter from the other state's licensing agency
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Correct answer: A valid out-of-state license in their immediate possession
Out-of-state drivers with a valid license in their immediate possession may exchange their basic license without a written or road test.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 3
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Which applicants may be required to complete written and road tests?
- Those who may lack the functional ability to drive safely on the highway
- Applicants who are older than 65 years of age
- Applicants who have lived in Montana for more than five years
- Applicants who wear glasses or contact lenses
Show answer
Correct answer: Those who may lack the functional ability to drive safely on the highway
Applicants who may lack the functional ability to safely operate a motor vehicle on the highway may be required to complete written and road tests.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 3
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How many valid driver licenses may you have at any one time, issued by any licensing jurisdiction?
- Two, if issued by different states
- One for each state where you drive
- As many as you have paid for
- Only one
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Correct answer: Only one
The manual states you may have only one valid driver license, issued by any licensing jurisdiction, at any time.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 3
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For a Montana resident under 21 years old, a driver license is valid until when?
- The holder's 18th birthday
- The holder's 21st birthday
- Two years after the date of issue
- The holder's 25th birthday
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Correct answer: The holder's 21st birthday
The quick reference says a license for residents under 21 is valid until the 21st birthday.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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A 15-year-old minor may apply for a driver license only after doing what?
- Successfully completing a state-approved traffic education program
- Successfully completing an online traffic education course
- Holding a motorcycle learner license for six months
- Passing the road test for a commercial license
Show answer
Correct answer: Successfully completing a state-approved traffic education program
A minor must be 16, or be 15 and successfully complete a state-approved traffic education program; online courses are not approved.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 3
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An applicant who is 18 or older must not have been found by a court to be what?
- Unemployed, without a fixed address, or cited for speeding
- Unable to read English, or a past holder of a foreign license
- Mentally incompetent, alcoholic, or a habitual user of illegal drugs
- A resident of another state for more than five years
Show answer
Correct answer: Mentally incompetent, alcoholic, or a habitual user of illegal drugs
The manual lists a court finding of mental incompetence, alcoholism or habitual illegal drug use as a bar to a license.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 3
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Which person cannot apply for, be issued, or retain a Montana driver license?
- A new resident who holds a valid license from another state
- A person suspended or revoked in any other state or jurisdiction
- A person who is under 21 years old
- A person who has never held a driver license
Show answer
Correct answer: A person suspended or revoked in any other state or jurisdiction
The manual says you cannot apply for, be issued, or retain a Montana license if you are suspended or revoked in any other state or jurisdiction.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 3
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A Class D basic driver license allows you to drive any non-commercial vehicle under what gross vehicle weight?
- 10,000 pounds
- 16,000 pounds
- 36,000 pounds
- 26,000 pounds
Show answer
Correct answer: 26,000 pounds
A Class D license covers any non-commercial vehicle under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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Which tests do you need to pass to obtain a Class D license?
- Only the vision and written tests
- Only the written and road tests
- Vision, written, and road tests
- Only the road test
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Correct answer: Vision, written, and road tests
To obtain a Class D license you need to pass the vision, written, and road tests, although you may not have to test if you hold a valid license from another jurisdiction.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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What must the operator of a commercial vehicle have?
- A Montana Commercial Driver License (CDL)
- A Class D license with a motorcycle endorsement
- A non-commercial learner permit
- A Montana identification card
Show answer
Correct answer: A Montana Commercial Driver License (CDL)
The operator of a commercial vehicle must have a Montana Commercial Driver License.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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In addition to the vision and written tests, how is the road test for a CDL taken?
- In a standard passenger car at the driver exam station
- In any vehicle of the examiner's choice
- The road test is waived for CDL applicants
- In the size of vehicle you wish to drive
Show answer
Correct answer: In the size of vehicle you wish to drive
A CDL applicant must pass a road test in the size of vehicle he or she wishes to drive.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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Which manual do you need to study to prepare for the CDL (Class A, B, or C)?
- The Motorcycle Operator Manual
- The Commercial Driver License Manual
- The Commercial Vehicle Inspection Guide
- The Class A, B, and C Safety Handbook
Show answer
Correct answer: The Commercial Driver License Manual
To prepare for a CDL, the manual says you need to study the Commercial Driver License Manual.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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At participating stations, which services do NOT require an appointment?
- Written tests and road tests for a first license
- New resident conversion of an out-of-state license
- Montana license renewal and replacement
- First-time ID card applications for new residents
Show answer
Correct answer: Montana license renewal and replacement
At participating stations appointments are required for all services except Montana license renewal and Montana license replacement.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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With which agency are the name and birth date on your driver license application checked?
- The Internal Revenue Service
- The Social Security Administration
- The Office of Vital Statistics
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation
Show answer
Correct answer: The Social Security Administration
The name and birth date on the application must match the primary document and are checked with the Social Security Administration.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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What number must you provide when applying for a Montana driver license or ID card?
- Your passport number
- Your vehicle registration number
- Your insurance policy number
- Your Social Security number
Show answer
Correct answer: Your Social Security number
The manual says you will need to provide your Social Security number when applying.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 1
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What does the manual say about holding both a Montana ID card and a Montana driver license?
- You may have both if you pay both fees
- You may have both if you are under 21
- You must choose one of them; you cannot have both
- You must have an ID card in addition to your license
Show answer
Correct answer: You must choose one of them; you cannot have both
The manual says you must choose to have either a state ID or a driver license, but you cannot have both.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 2