Montana MVD Handbook 2025

In Montana, all drivers, regardless of age, must obtain an instruction permit before applying for a driver’s license. Requirements for an instruction permit include passing two official tests: a vision test and an official written (permit) test on driving theory. You must take the permit test at a MVD driver license exam station, not online. If you’re under 18, you must provide signed consent from a parent or guardian. If you’re under 16, you must also complete a school driver’s education course before taking the permit test. You can start the course as early as age 14½. To practice driving during the course before obtaining an instruction permit, you can get a Traffic Education Permit, which will allow you to practice driving but only under the supervision of one of the driving instructors and only for the duration of the course.

All questions on the written permit test are based on information in the official Montana MVD driver’s 2025 handbook (Montana DMV Handbook (MT Driver's Manual) 2025). The MVD currently publishes versions of this manual in four languages, of which we currently offer two for your convenience: English and Spanish. These versions can be easily downloaded from this webpage in PDF format.

You should study this manual, but consider doing even more to be sure of passing this test. Our permit test preparation program goes beyond the official driver’s handbook by providing a graduated series of practice tests accompanied by our AI assistant. It can give you hints and explanations and answer your questions to help you learn.

We have also created an audiobook of the English version of the official driver’s manual. It’s formatted as a downloadable series of eleven MP3 files, one for each chapter of the handbook: the driver’s license; motor vehicle equipment; signs, signals, and pavement markings; and so on. The longest chapter is Chapter 5: How to Drive Safely, whose running time is 57 minutes and 36 seconds. The total running time of this audiobook is approximately 3 hours, 51 minutes, and 48 seconds, so it may take you a few days to go through it once.

Finally, we have another tool to offer you. This one will ensure you’re ready to head for the MVD on the big written permit test day. It’s our own permit test study guide (available elsewhere on this website). It covers what documents to take, what fees to pay, frequently missed test questions, and how to be at your best immediately before and during the test.