On an 80-mph interstate, you approach a stationary police vehicle displaying emergency lights. No temporary limit, flagger or sign-board direction applies. What reduction does current law specify depending on whether you can move lanes?
Correct answer: To 60 mph if able to move lanes, or 40 mph if unable, with further slowing if safety requires.
The interstate rule is 20 below the posted limit when able to move lanes, otherwise half the posted limit. Also follow the move-over and direction requirements; these figures do not override a need to go slower.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, 61-8-388, subsection (1)(a) and (2); current official text reviewed September 29, 2026 ↗
A stationary emergency scene has a temporary speed limit and a flagger directing your lane. Which instructions should guide you?
Correct answer: Reduce cautiously to the temporary limit and follow the flagger’s directions.
Current law gives the temporary posted limit and traffic directions priority. A lane change does not eliminate the need to reduce speed.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, 61-8-388, subsections (1) and (2); current official text reviewed September 29, 2026 ↗
An animal suddenly enters your path and you cannot avoid it without a sharp swerve into oncoming traffic. What is the safer response?
Correct answer: Brake under control and avoid the dangerous sharp swerve.
The handbook warns that a sharp animal-avoidance swerve can cause a head-on collision or rollover. Look for additional animals after seeing one.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 61, physical PDF page 71: Wildlife and other animals ↗
A bridge follows a section of road that looks merely wet on a cold day. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: The bridge may be icy even when the nearby road is not.
Bridges lack the ground’s insulation and can freeze differently. Adjust speed before reaching a potentially slippery surface.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 60, physical PDF page 70: Slippery roads, bridges ↗
You leave pavement for loose gravel. How should your driving change?
Correct answer: Slow down and allow more room to stop or turn.
Gravel and dirt provide less traction than pavement. Lower speed and greater margins reduce skidding and stopping risks.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 59, physical PDF page 69: Rural roads ↗
A curve ahead is too sharp for your current speed. When should you make the normal speed reduction?
Correct answer: Before entering the curve.
Entering at a safe speed reduces the need for braking while turning. Traction must support both direction and speed changes.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 60, physical PDF page 70: Curves ↗
During an emergency stop in an ABS-equipped car, you feel the brake pedal pulse. What should you generally do?
Correct answer: Keep firm pressure on the brake and follow the vehicle’s ABS instructions.
Pulsation can be normal ABS operation. The handbook calls for keeping pressure on the pedal rather than repeatedly releasing it.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 78, physical PDF page 88: Stopping quickly with ABS ↗
The accelerator sticks and the engine continues pulling the car faster. Which action separates engine power from the wheels while you brake?
Correct answer: Shift into Neutral, keep your eyes on the road and apply steady braking.
Neutral lets you brake without continued driving force. Pull off safely, then shut down the engine; do not sacrifice steering attention to reach under the dashboard.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 77, physical PDF page 87: Gas pedal sticks ↗
The engine dies while the car is moving. What should you expect while getting safely off the road?
Correct answer: Steering and braking may require much greater effort, but the controls can still work.
Maintain a firm grip and use the available brakes. Loss of assistance is not the same as losing every mechanical steering or braking function.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 77, physical PDF page 87: Power failure ↗
The car’s right wheels leave the pavement. What is the handbook’s initial recovery sequence?
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator, stay parallel to the road and slow before easing back when safe.
A panicked return can send the car across the road. Stabilize and slow first; the handbook’s sequence places braking after returning to pavement.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 78, physical PDF page 88: Drift or run off the road ↗
The vehicle ahead passes a fixed roadside point. You reach it before finishing a three-second count. What should you do?
Correct answer: Increase the gap and check again; leave still more room for adverse conditions.
The handbook uses a three-second check for ordinary following and calls for extra room in situations such as poor traction or limited visibility.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 64, physical PDF page 74: Three-second following rule ↗
A driver follows you too closely. What should you avoid?
Correct answer: Braking abruptly to teach the driver a lesson.
A sudden brake check increases rear-end risk. Be predictable and create a safe passing or separation opportunity.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 65, physical PDF page 75: Being tailgated ↗
An injured person is not in a burning vehicle or another immediate danger. What should you do while emergency help is coming?
Correct answer: Avoid unnecessary movement that could worsen injuries.
Arrange emergency help and protect the scene. The handbook says not to move the injured unless immediate danger makes movement necessary.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 80, physical PDF page 90: If someone is injured ↗
You strike a parked car and cannot find its owner. What should you do after trying to locate them?
Correct answer: Leave a visible note with contact information and the date and time, and meet any applicable reporting duty.
An absent owner does not remove responsibility. Provide a way to contact you; reporting requirements may also apply.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 80, physical PDF page 90: Parked-car collision ↗
You are already circulating in a roundabout when an emergency vehicle approaches. What should you do?
Correct answer: Continue to an exit, then pull right where there is room for it to pass.
Do not block the roundabout. Clear it and yield outside where the emergency vehicle has room.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 32, physical PDF page 42: Emergency vehicles in roundabouts ↗
A properly led funeral procession is moving through an intersection in daylight. You are not part of it and no officer directs otherwise. May you drive between its vehicles?
Correct answer: No; do not cut into the moving procession.
Montana gives the described procession special right-of-way. Do not enter its path or join merely to obtain its privileges.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 42, physical PDF page 52: Funeral procession ↗
A vehicle approaching your driveway has a turn signal on. Is that alone enough reason to pull in front of it?
Correct answer: No; wait until its actual movement and a safe gap make entry safe.
The signal may have been left on or may refer to a later turn. Do not base a gap decision on a signal alone.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 66, physical PDF page 76: Space to cross or enter ↗
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 ↗
A large truck ahead needs the truck-apron area while moving through a roundabout. What should a car driver do?
Correct answer: Drop back and give the truck room to complete its path.
Long vehicles need extra space through the circle. Do not crowd the truck or attempt to share its turning path.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 32, physical PDF page 42: Large vehicles in roundabouts ↗
