Montana DMV Cheat Sheet

Correct answer: In a locked glove box, the trunk, or behind the last upright seat

It is an offense to possess an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area. Open containers must be kept in a locked glove or storage compartment, in the trunk or cargo area, or behind the last upright seat.

Correct answer: When there is any chance of going into insulin shock

Diabetics who take insulin should not drive when there is any chance of going into shock — which could result from skipping a meal or taking the wrong amount of insulin.

Correct answer: $500

You must report a crash immediately to law enforcement if anyone is injured or killed, or property damage is $500 or more. Report to the Highway Patrol for an injury, death, or $1,000 or more damage to one person’s property.

Correct answer: Register to vote and choose to be an organ and tissue donor

You can register to vote at any Montana driver exam station, and you can become an organ and tissue donor by requesting it be marked on your license. A minor at least 15 years old may request an organ-donor designation.

Correct answer: Three attempts within one year

Driver license receipts are valid for one year, and for those testing, the receipt allows the applicant three attempts within that year to pass all required examinations. Receipts are not renewable.

Correct answer: Only one

For the first six months, unless supervised by a licensed adult driver, a teenage driver may have only one unrelated passenger under 18. For the second six months, the limit rises to three unrelated passengers under 18.

Correct answer: 30 feet

Do not park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign, so a parked vehicle does not block the sign or signal from view.

Correct answer: 50 feet

Do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. The manual also prohibits parking on railroad tracks themselves.

Correct answer: Tells drivers who must wait — it does not give anyone an automatic right to go

The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give anyone the right-of-way. You must do everything you can to prevent striking a pedestrian or another vehicle, regardless of the circumstances.

Correct answer: When the bus is on a different road, or stopped in an adjacent loading zone where pedestrians cannot cross

You do not need to stop if you meet or pass a school bus that is on a different road, or is stopped in an adjacent loading zone where pedestrians are not allowed to cross the road.

Correct answer: Drive between the vehicles forming the procession, unless authorized by a police officer

A driver not part of a funeral procession cannot drive between the vehicles forming the procession while it is in motion, unless authorized by a police officer or driving an emergency vehicle.

Correct answer: Yield the right-of-way to an approaching emergency vehicle giving an audible or visual signal

A driver in a funeral procession must yield the right-of-way to an approaching authorized emergency vehicle giving an audible or visual signal. Nothing relieves a driver of the duty to drive with due regard for everyone’s safety.

Correct answer: 1,000 feet

Dim your high beams within 1,000 feet of meeting an oncoming vehicle, and within 500 feet when following another vehicle. High beams reveal objects for about 350 feet and low beams for about 100 feet.

Correct answer: Ease your foot off the gas and keep the steering wheel straight

If your tires lose traction on water, ease your foot off the gas pedal and keep the steering wheel straight. Do not try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again.

Correct answer: Stay off the brake, ease off the gas, and steer where you want to go

If your vehicle begins to slide, stay off the brake and take your foot off the accelerator. Use quick hand-over-hand steering to turn the wheel in the direction you want the vehicle to go, then straighten out as it recovers.

Correct answer: As low as 15 mph, and fines are doubled in all school zones

School zone speed limits may be as low as 15 mph. Montana doubles fines for speed violations in all school zones throughout the state.

Correct answer: Left turns are allowed, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

A flashing yellow arrow means left turns are allowed, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Oncoming traffic has a green light, so you must find a safe gap before turning.

Correct answer: Continue and exit the roundabout, then pull to the right where there is room for it to pass

Do not stop in the roundabout when approached by an emergency vehicle. Continue and exit as normal, then pull to the right where there is room for the emergency vehicle to pass.

Correct answer: As close as practicable, but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail

You must stop at railroad crossings as close as practicable but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail when warning signals, gates, stop signs, or watchmen indicate a train, or when a train is within 1,500 feet.

Correct answer: You can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror

Before you return to the driving lane, leave enough room between yourself and the vehicle you passed. When you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror, it is safe to move back over.

Correct answer: Pull your vehicle to the side and stop until it is safe to proceed

If the animal you are passing looks scared, pull your vehicle to the side and stop. Proceed only when it is safe, and stop if a rider or driver signals you to do so.

Correct answer: About 400 feet — roughly the length of a city block

At 50 mph it can take about 400 feet to react to something and bring your vehicle to a stop — about the length of a city block. If you cannot see 400 feet ahead, you may not be driving safely at 50 mph.

Correct answer: 30 mph

In very heavy rain, a snowstorm, or thick fog you may not see more than 200 feet ahead. When that is all you can see, you cannot safely drive faster than 30 mph. If you cannot see well enough, pull off and wait.

Correct answer: About a 10-second gap, roughly one-third of a mile

At 55 mph you need about 10 seconds to pass — a 10-second gap in oncoming traffic. You and an oncoming vehicle each travel over 800 feet in that time, so you need over 1,600 feet, about one-third of a mile.

Correct answer: Wait until you have passed them before you signal

Be careful not to signal too early. If there are streets or driveways between you and where you want to turn, wait until you have passed them to signal, or another driver may pull into your path.