Driver training rules in Montana

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Montana for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Required under 16: state-approved traffic ed, 60 hours incl. 6 hours behind-the-wheel in traffic, over at least 25 days.source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	50 hours supervised driving with an adult, 10 at night; hold learner permit at least 6 months + 1 day (under 18).source 2
New adult drivers	None stated. 18 and over: pass written, vision and road tests and provide documents.source 3
Who licenses driving schools	Office of Public Instruction (OPI) Traffic Education Unit approves driver ed programs and instructors (ARM 10.13.3).source 1
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	No extra state hours found. MCA 61-5-151: the state must offer a free ELDT program (theory + BTW) that complies with federal Class A/B rules.source 4
CDL schools: state license	No state CDL-school license. Montana's private postsecondary school licensing law (MCA Title 20, ch. 30) is repealed; federal TPR listing still applies.source 5
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state hours; federal ELDT only. MCA 61-5-151 directs a state ELDT program (theory and behind-the-wheel) that complies with federal Class A/B rules.source 4
CDL schools: instructor rules	No state CDL instructor license found (school licensing law repealed); federal 380.713 qualifications apply.source 5
Carriers training their own drivers: license	No state license for anyone, carrier included (licensing law repealed); federal TPR listing still applies.source 5
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 4
Carriers: instructor rules	No state instructor license for anyone; federal 380.713 qualifications apply.source 5
New school bus drivers	District training program required; no state hours for new drivers. New-driver training may cover crash prevention, emergency procedures and special lights and signals (2022 Montana School Bus Standards). Drivers also need a valid first aid certificate (MCA 20-10-103).source 6 · source 7 · source 8
School bus refresher	At least 15 hours of in-service training annually (2022 Montana School Bus Standards, audited). (2022 OPI deck)source 8

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Montana, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Montana

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://opi.mt.gov/Families-Students/Family-Student-Support/Driver-Education
2. https://mvdmt.gov/new-driver-license/drivers-under-18/
3. https://mvdmt.gov/new-driver-license/adult-driver-license/
4. https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0510/0610-0050-0010-0510.html
5. https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0300/parts_index.html
6. https://bpe.mt.gov/Home/2022-Bus-Standards-v10-ADA-Review.pdf
7. https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0100/part_0010/section_0030/0200-0100-0010-0030.html
8. https://opifiles.mt.gov/portals/182/Page%20Files/School%20Finance/14.Webinars/FY2022%20Webinar%20Materials/MASBO%20-%20Pupil%20Transportation.pdf

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