Montana Road Signs Cheat Sheet.
The night-before summary, built like the exam.

The Numbers to Remember

• Montana MVD does not publish a total question count or passing score — the written and vision tests are given in person at an exam station.
• Learner permit: as early as 14.5 years with a state-approved traffic education program, or 16 years without one.
• Permit must be held at least 6 months before a first-year restricted license.
• Supervised driving: 50 hours total, including 10 hours at night.
• Restricted-license curfew: no driving 11:00 p.m.–5:00 a.m. for drivers under 18.
• GDL has three steps: instruction permit → first-year restricted license → full-privilege license.
• First-offense impaired driving: 20–60 hours of community service.

Sign Shapes at a Glance

• Octagon = Stop (unique shape, always).
• Downward triangle = Yield.
• Pentagon = School zone/crossing.
• Round = Railroad crossing.
• Yellow diamond = General warning; orange diamond = work zone.
• White rectangle = Regulatory (speed, parking, lanes).
• Green rectangle = Guide/direction.
• Colors: red = stop/prohibit, yellow = caution, orange = construction, blue = services, brown = recreation.

Right-of-Way in One Breath

• Uncontrolled intersection, simultaneous arrival: yield to the driver on your right.
• Left turns yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, even on green.
• Roundabouts: yield to traffic already circulating.
• Pedestrians in a crosswalk always have the right-of-way once crossing has started.
• Stop for school buses with flashing red lights and an extended arm, both directions, unless divided by a median.
• Pull right and stop for any emergency vehicle running lights/siren.

Top Traps

• Posted speed limits are a ceiling for ideal conditions — reduce speed further in rain, snow, fog, or heavy traffic; don't assume the limit is always safe.
• Black ice hides on bridges and shaded roads even when the surface looks clear and dry.
• Fatigue impairs driving similarly to alcohol — don't treat drowsiness as a minor issue on scenario questions.
• Distraction (phone, eating, adjusting controls) counts as an impairment category on modern knowledge tests.
• Implied consent means driving already commits you to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for suspected impairment.
• Because Montana doesn't publish an exact passing score, treat every missed practice question as a gap worth closing rather than banking on a known margin.