A slower vehicle is ahead near a hillcrest that hides oncoming traffic. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait for a place with a clear view and enough room for a safe, permitted pass.
An obstructed view can conceal a vehicle in the passing path. A slow vehicle ahead does not make a blind pass safe.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 67, physical PDF page 77: Passing, hills and curves ↗
The car ahead is waiting to turn left, and the only space to its right is the shoulder. May you use that shoulder to pass?
Correct answer: No; the handbook prohibits leaving the pavement or using the shoulder to pass.
Permission to pass on the right in certain circumstances does not authorize using the shoulder. Wait for a lawful safe path.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 38, physical PDF page 48: Passing on the right ↗
You have overtaken another car. What should you verify before moving back into its lane?
Correct answer: See both headlights of the passed vehicle in the rearview mirror and leave enough room to return safely.
Returning too early can cut off the passed vehicle. The handbook uses the rearview view as a clearance check, along with a safe lane change.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 67, physical PDF page 77: Space to return after passing ↗
You are waiting to turn left across traffic. How should the front wheels be positioned before the turn begins?
Correct answer: Keep them straight until starting the turn.
Keeping the wheels straight preserves a predictable waiting position. Turn only when it is safe to begin the actual maneuver.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 58, physical PDF page 68: Left turns, wheel position ↗
Two adjacent lanes may turn left together. What should you do throughout the turn?
Correct answer: Follow your lane’s path and finish without drifting into the adjacent turning vehicle’s lane.
The handbook requires staying in your lane during a multiple-lane turn. Plan any later lane change separately and make it only when safe.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 38, physical PDF page 48: Turning lane paths ↗
On a one-way street, you are preparing to turn left and no markings authorize additional turning lanes. Which starting lane follows the handbook’s rule?
Correct answer: The lane nearest the left curb.
The general one-way rule is to turn from the lane nearest the appropriate curb. Special signs or pavement directions may permit additional turn lanes.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 38, physical PDF page 48: Turning from nearest lane ↗
The only open curb space is directly in front of a private driveway. May you park there and leave the car while visiting a store?
Correct answer: No; do not block the driveway.
The handbook prohibits leaving a vehicle parked in front of a public or private driveway. Flashers do not legalize the obstruction.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 46, physical PDF page 56: No parking zones ↗
You intend to pull from a parallel parking space into the traffic lane. What should you do?
Correct answer: Check traffic and over your shoulder, signal and yield until it is safe to enter.
The driver leaving a parking space does not have the right-of-way. A signal announces an intention; it does not create a safe gap.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 54, physical PDF page 64: Pulling away from curb ↗
You are backing from a parking space. Which observation method does the manual require?
Correct answer: Look back over your shoulder and maintain a proper lookout; do not rely on the rearview mirror alone.
Mirrors alone may miss a person or vehicle behind you. Wait for a clear area and keep observing throughout the maneuver.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 55, physical PDF page 65: Backing ↗
You park on the right side of a street facing uphill, with a curb. Which direction should the front wheels point?
Correct answer: Left, away from the curb.
With an uphill curb, wheels turned away help the curb arrest a backward roll. Also secure the transmission and parking brake.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 45, physical PDF page 55: Uphill parking with curb ↗
You park on the right side of a hill with no curb. How should you turn the front wheels?
Correct answer: Toward the right roadside, whether facing uphill or downhill.
Without a curb, point the wheels so a roll is directed away from traffic. Wheel direction is an additional precaution, not a replacement for securing the vehicle.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 45, physical PDF page 55: Hill parking without curb ↗
How should you use an interstate entrance ramp and acceleration lane?
Correct answer: Obey the ramp limit, then use the acceleration lane to approach a safe speed compatible with traffic.
The ramp and acceleration lane help you prepare to merge. Adjust speed within legal and safe limits while finding an acceptable gap.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 61, physical PDF page 71: Entering traffic ↗
You are approaching your interstate exit. Where should the normal reduction to exit-ramp speed take place?
Correct answer: After leaving the main through lane and entering the exit lane or ramp.
The handbook says to keep pace while on the main road, then reduce speed after moving onto the exit. Signal and plan the departure early.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 62, physical PDF page 72: Leaving traffic ↗
Before moving into another interstate lane, what should you do?
Correct answer: Check mirrors and the blind spot, signal and change lanes only when the space is clear.
A vehicle may be outside your mirrors’ view. Look for that hidden traffic before beginning the move; signaling does not grant priority.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 54, physical PDF page 64: Changing lanes ↗
What advance turn-signal distances does the Montana handbook give for town and rural driving?
Correct answer: 100 feet in town and 300 feet on rural roads.
Give other drivers advance notice and use the proper lane. Avoid a misleading signal at an intervening entrance; make the intended turn clear.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 37, physical PDF page 47: Turning signals; also printed 58 Use Your Signals ↗
Under Montana’s ordinary statutory speed limits, which situation can qualify for the allowance of up to 10 mph extra to complete a safe pass?
Correct answer: Traveling on a two-lane road in a designated passing zone.
Both a two-lane road and a designated passing zone are required. The exception concerns the ordinary statutory limits and completing a safe pass; it is not permission to disregard special speed zones, pass unsafely or keep speeding afterward.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, 61-8-303, subsection (2)(a)–(b), with (3); current official text reviewed September 29, 2026 ↗
You discover too late that you are in the wrong lane for your intended turn. What should you do?
Correct answer: Continue safely and use a later legal opportunity after moving into the proper lane.
Missing a turn is safer than a sudden conflicting maneuver. Plan the next legal turn and signal early.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 37, physical PDF page 47: Wrong lane for a turn ↗
What maximum curb distance does Montana’s handbook state for ordinary parallel parking?
Correct answer: 18 inches.
Park close enough to avoid obstructing the travel lane. The Montana figure is 18 inches, not another state’s curb-distance rule.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 44, physical PDF page 54: Parking, curb clearance ↗
