Montana Teen Driving Laws: A Parent's Guide to the GDL Program

For a teenager in Montana, getting a driver's license is a rite of passage. For parents, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and concern. To address this, Montana has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program for all drivers under the age of 18.

These laws are not designed to be inconvenient; they are a data-driven safety system created to protect new, inexperienced drivers by limiting their exposure to the highest-risk driving scenarios. For these laws to be effective, both teens and parents must understand and enforce them as a team.

The Foundation: The Learner License Phase

The journey begins with a learner license, which is all about supervised practice.

Age Requirements: A teen can get a permit at 14 years and 6 months old if enrolled in a traffic education course. Otherwise, they must wait until 16 years old.
Mandatory Six-Month Holding Period: A teen must hold their learner license for a minimum of six consecutive months, conviction-free, before they are eligible to take their road test.
The 50-Hour Driving Log: During this six-month period, a parent or legal guardian must supervise and certify that the teen has completed at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
- Of these 50 hours, at least 10 hours must take place at night.
Supervision Rule: During the entire permit phase, the teen must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old and is seated in the front passenger seat.

The First-Year Restricted License

After successfully completing the permit phase, a teen can take the road test to earn their restricted license. This license comes with critical restrictions for the first year.

1. Nighttime Driving Curfew

A teen with a first-year restricted license CANNOT drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Exceptions: This curfew is waived if the teen is driving to or from work, a school activity, in an emergency, or if they are accompanied by a licensed driver 18 or older.

2. Passenger Restrictions

This is one of the most important GDL rules, and it has two phases.

For the first six months of holding a restricted license, a teen driver CANNOT transport more than one passenger under the age of 18.
After six months, they cannot transport more than three passengers under 18.
Exception: This restriction does not apply if the passengers are immediate family members.

3. The Mobile Device Ban

This rule is simple and strict. Drivers under the age of 18 are PROHIBITED from using any cell phone or other wireless communication device while driving. The only exception is for reporting an emergency.

The Full Unrestricted License

After holding the restricted license for one year, the GDL restrictions are lifted, and the license becomes a full, unrestricted license.

The Parent's Crucial Role

The GDL laws provide the legal framework, but a parent's reinforcement is what truly creates a safe driver.

Know the Rules: Be an expert on the curfew and passenger restrictions so you can enforce them correctly.
Lead by Example: Your teen learned their driving habits from watching you. Put your phone away, obey the speed limit, and always wear your seat belt.
Create a Driving Contract: A written parent-teen agreement that outlines the rules and consequences can be a powerful tool for setting expectations beyond what the law requires.

By working together, parents and teens can navigate Montana's GDL program, ensuring the path to driving freedom is a safe one that builds a lifetime of responsible habits.