Montana: Seat belts and child safety Practice Test
Montana’s seat belt law, child restraints and the seat belt equipment vehicles must have.
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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 23 questions in this practice test
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When a teen drives with an instruction permit under GDL Step 1, who in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt?
- Only the teen driver
- Only front-seat riders
- Everyone in the vehicle
- Only riders under 18
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Correct answer: Everyone in the vehicle
Under GDL Step 1, everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt; the first-year restricted license has the same requirement.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 7
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Which seats must have seatbelts in vehicles manufactured between January 1, 1965, and January 1, 1968?
- Every designated seat in the vehicle
- The driver seat only, not the passenger
- The left and right front seats
- All of the back seats in the vehicle
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Correct answer: The left and right front seats
The manual says vehicles made between 1965 and 1968 must have seatbelts for the left and right front seats.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 16
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Vehicles manufactured after what date must have seatbelts for every designated seat?
- January 1, 1956
- January 1, 1968
- January 1, 1965
- January 1, 1975
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Correct answer: January 1, 1968
The manual says vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1968 must have seatbelts for every designated seat.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 16
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Montana law places the responsibility on whom to ensure each occupant is properly buckled or in a child safety seat?
- Each passenger alone
- The vehicle owner
- The driver
- The front seat passenger
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Correct answer: The driver
The manual says Montana law places responsibility on the driver to ensure each occupant is properly buckled or in a child safety seat.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 19
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How much is a driver fined for violating the safety belt law?
- $10
- $20
- $50
- $100
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Correct answer: $20
The manual says a driver who violates the safety belt law will be fined $20.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 19
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According to the manual, when should you buckle up?
- Only when driving on highways at high speed
- Only when driving long distances on trips
- Only when children are riding in the vehicle
- Every trip, every time, even short low-speed trips
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Correct answer: Every trip, every time, even short low-speed trips
The manual says to buckle up every trip, every time, even on short trips at low speeds.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 19
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Besides fastening your own safety belt before you drive away, what else does the manual say to remember?
- Turn on the windshield wipers
- Turn on the hazard lights
- Leave a window slightly open
- Lock the vehicle doors
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Correct answer: Lock the vehicle doors
The manual says to remember to lock the vehicle doors when you buckle up.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 19
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If your vehicle has a two-part safety belt system, what should you wear?
- Only the lap belt
- Both the lap belt and shoulder belt
- Only the shoulder belt
- Neither belt if the vehicle has air bags
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Correct answer: Both the lap belt and shoulder belt
The manual says to wear both the lap belt and the shoulder belt, since wearing either part alone greatly reduces protection.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 19
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If your vehicle has an automatic shoulder belt, what should you also do?
- Leave the lap belt unbuckled
- Remove the shoulder belt
- Buckle your lap belt as well
- Sit closer to the airbag
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Correct answer: Buckle your lap belt as well
The manual says to buckle the lap belt as well with an automatic shoulder belt, or you could slide out of the belt in a collision.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 19
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According to the manual, air bags are only part of what?
- A total occupant protection system
- A required headlight and lamp system
- A set of exhaust system controls
- An engine safety inspection routine
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Correct answer: A total occupant protection system
The manual says air bags are only part of a total occupant protection system, so safety belts are still needed.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 19
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A vehicle manufactured before what date is an exception to the seatbelt law?
- January 1, 1956
- January 1, 1968
- January 1, 1965
- January 1, 1975
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Correct answer: January 1, 1968
The manual lists vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 1968, as an exception to the seatbelt law.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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What must an occupant have with them to be an exception to the seatbelt law for medical reasons?
- A verbal statement from a doctor
- A note from a driver exam station
- A medical card from the county treasurer
- A written statement from a physician
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Correct answer: A written statement from a physician
The manual says an occupant must have a written statement with them from a physician that he or she cannot wear a seatbelt for medical reasons.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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Which operator is an exception to the seatbelt law?
- An operator of licensed special mobile equipment
- The driver of a pickup truck on a farm road
- The driver of a passenger car on a short trip
- The operator of a bus carrying passengers
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Correct answer: An operator of licensed special mobile equipment
The manual lists operators of vehicles licensed as special mobile equipment, such as farm tractors, as an exception.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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Who may exempt you from the seatbelt law if you make frequent stops with a motor vehicle in your job duties?
- The County Treasurer
- The Department of Transportation
- The Department of Justice
- Your local examiner
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Correct answer: The Department of Justice
The manual says that if you make frequent stops with a motor vehicle in your job duties, you may be exempted by the Department of Justice.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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Up to what age and weight must babies and children be buckled in a child safety seat?
- Age 4 and 40 pounds
- Age 8 and 80 pounds
- Age 6 and 60 pounds
- Age 10 and 100 pounds
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Correct answer: Age 6 and 60 pounds
The manual says babies and children up to age 6 and 60 pounds must be buckled in a child safety seat.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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For how long does the manual recommend booster seats for older children?
- Until the lap and shoulder belt fits properly
- Until the child turns four years of age
- Until the child can unbuckle the belt alone
- Until the child is allowed to sit in front
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Correct answer: Until the lap and shoulder belt fits properly
The manual recommends booster seats until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt fits the child properly.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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About how tall are children usually when the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt fits properly?
- About 3’6” tall
- About 4’0” tall
- About 5’6” tall
- About 4’9” tall
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Correct answer: About 4’9” tall
The manual says the lap and shoulder belt usually fits properly when children are about 4’9” tall.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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If a child must ride in the front seat of an airbag-equipped car, what should be done with the vehicle’s seat?
- Move it forward as far as it will go
- Move it back as far as possible
- Recline it fully to the rear
- Raise it as high as it will go
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Correct answer: Move it back as far as possible
The manual says the vehicle’s seat should be moved back as far as possible from the active airbag.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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Where does the manual say to never place a rear-facing car seat?
- In the front passenger seat with an active air bag
- In the back seat directly behind the driver
- In the middle of the back seat of the vehicle
- In any vehicle that has only a lap belt
Show answer
Correct answer: In the front passenger seat with an active air bag
The manual says to never place a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat with an active air bag.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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Whenever possible, children under what age should be secured in the backseat?
- 6
- 8
- 13
- 10
Show answer
Correct answer: 13
The manual says that whenever possible, children under age 13 should be secured in the backseat.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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What could happen if you hold your child while riding in a vehicle?
- Your arms would protect the child in any crash
- You could crush the child during a crash
- The child would be safe if you drive under 30 mph
- The child would be protected by the air bag
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Correct answer: You could crush the child during a crash
The manual says if you hold your child while riding in a vehicle, you could crush the child during a crash.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 20
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How often does the manual advise older drivers to wear a seat belt?
- Only on highways
- Only on long trips
- Only when carrying passengers
- On every drive
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Correct answer: On every drive
Wear your seat belt on every drive.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 74
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If you cannot avoid a collision, what is the most important thing you can do to lessen injuries?
- Use your lap and shoulder belts
- Brace your arms against the steering wheel
- Turn off the ignition
- Lean toward the passenger side
Show answer
Correct answer: Use your lap and shoulder belts
The most important thing you can do to lessen injuries in a crash is to use your lap and shoulder belts.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 79