Free Montana MVD Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 3 2026
This Practice Test 3 is modeled on the Motor Vehicle Division (Montana Department of Justice) (MVD) written knowledge exam, whose length the agency does not publish; to pass you need a pass mark the MVD does not publish (our practice tests use 74%). These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the MVD tests most heavily. Every question includes an explanation, so you learn the rule behind each answer - not just whether you got it right.
What does a 'MERGE' warning sign (two lines coming together) mean?
What's on the Montana Practice Test 3
The MVD does not publish how many questions are on the real Montana knowledge test. Practice Test 3 is a 25-question set drawn from 52 questions, scored against a practice target of 74%.
Topics in this test's question pool
- Road signs 16
- Traffic laws 12
- Safe driving 9
- Alcohol & drugs 4
- Emergencies 4
- Right of way 3
- Parking 2
- Vehicle equipment 2
52 questions in the pool, 9 of them written specifically for Montana. Each attempt shows 25 in a new order.
Sample questions from this test, with answers
Want to test yourself first? Take the test above before reading these. Every answer below is checked against the source shown.
1. In Montana, when you meet or come up behind a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, you must stop at least how far from the bus?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 50 feet
- D. 30 feet (correct)
Why: Drivers from either direction must stop at least 30 feet from a stopped school bus showing flashing red lights and wait until the red lights are turned off.
Source: official Montana driver handbook, p.40 (PDF p.50), Right-of-Way, School Buses
2. An elk steps onto the highway right in front of you and there is no time to stop. What does the Montana manual advise?
- A. Swerve hard into the oncoming lane
- B. Speed up to get past it quickly
- C. Hold your lane; do not swerve sharply (correct)
- D. Steer sharply toward the ditch
Why: If you cannot stop or avoid the animal, do not swerve sharply. You are less likely to be badly hurt hitting the animal than swerving into oncoming traffic or rolling into a ditch.
Source: official Montana driver handbook, p.61 (PDF p.71), Wildlife and Other Animals
3. What is the safest action when you are being tailgated?
- A. Tap your brakes hard to warn them off
- B. Speed up well past the limit to pull away from them
- C. Move over or add space ahead and let them pass (correct)
- D. Ignore them and maintain your exact speed
Why: When tailgated, do not brake-check. Move to another lane if possible or increase the gap to the vehicle ahead so you have more room to stop gradually - this gives both you and the tailgater more reaction time.
Source: official Montana driver handbook
4. When may a driver enter or cross a bike lane?
- A. To pass slower cars when traffic is heavy
- B. Never, under any circumstances
- C. To turn or cross to parking, yielding to cyclists (correct)
- D. To wait in it while the car ahead of you turns
Why: Bike lanes are for bicyclists. You may enter or cross one only when needed to turn, enter or leave a driveway or alley, or park where allowed, and you must yield to bicyclists first. States differ on details: California lets you merge into the bike lane before a turn, while Connecticut and Hawaii only let you cross it.
Source: official Montana driver handbook
5. A sign that reads 'DO NOT ENTER' on a red and white background means:
- A. Enter only after a full stop
- B. You may not enter the road ahead (correct)
- C. Only local traffic may enter
- D. Enter only if no cars are coming
Why: A 'Do Not Enter' sign means you must not enter the road or ramp ahead - usually because it is one-way or an exit ramp. Entering would put you in oncoming traffic.
6. A diamond-shaped sign is used to indicate:
- A. A regulation you must obey
- B. A warning of a hazard ahead (correct)
- C. A route number for a highway
- D. A recreation or park area
Why: Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs. They alert you to hazards or changes in road conditions ahead, such as curves, intersections, or pedestrian crossings.
More Montana facts, the full requirements table and the printable PDF are on the Montana permit practice test page.
Montana MVD Test Info
- Questions on real test
- Not published by the MVD
- Passing score
- Not published
- Correct needed
- a pass mark the MVD does not publish (our practice tests use 74%)
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Testing agency
- Motor Vehicle Division (Montana Department of Justice)
More Montana Tests
Study Tip
Don't just aim to pass this Montana Practice Test 3 once - keep taking it until you score 74% or higher two or three times in a row. Read the explanation after every question, even the ones you get right, to lock in the rule before your MVD exam.