For Parents
-
When your child is learning to drive, your influence and example can help them build effective habits. While your child has their permit, GDL, and full privilege license, you should continue to model, encourage, and reinforce proper driving.
-
Driving skills and judgment take a long time to learn.
-
Communication with your teen is very important. Establish rules and expectations for their new privilege.
-
Be a good role model of safety, good decision making, and law abiding.
-
Novice drivers need continued assistance in reinforcing what they have learned in driver’s ed.
LEARNER LICENSE (adapted from the DOJ)
1) All students enrolled in the traffic education program and receiving behind-the-wheel instruction shall have in their immediate possession a valid Montana traffic education permit, a valid Montana learner license, or a valid Montana driver license as prescribed in Title 61, chapter 5 of the Montana Code Annotated(MCA).
(a) A traffic education permit (TEP, also known as a restricted instruction permit or RIP) is authorized and prescribed in 61-5-106, MCA. It is valid from the date of issue until course completion as indicated by the expiration date, provided an approved traffic education teacher accompanies the student while driving. These permits are issued to Big Sky Driving School by the local driver examiner when class attendees names are submitted for the established class. These permits shall not be given to the student, but shall be kept by the traffic education
teacher and carried with the teacher in the car when the student is receiving behind-the-wheel instruction.
(b) A learner license is authorized and prescribed in 61-5-106(2) MCA. A driver with a learner license must be supervised from the front passenger seat of the motor vehicle by a licensed parent or other legal guardian, a qualified traffic education teacher, or some other licensed adult driver with permission of the parent or other legal guardian. This license may be obtained while the student is successfully participating in, or has successfully completed, a state-approved traffic education program.
(2) A learner license may be obtained:
(a) through the local driver license exam office of the Motor Vehicle Division of the Department of Justice, provided:
(i) the respective Big Sky Driving School personnel authorizes the student to apply for the license by placing his/her name on the & Student List & form (TE04) and transmits the student list, along with the & Certification & form (TE03) signed by the appropriate Big Sky Driving School personnel to the local driver license exam office;
(ii) the student has paid the necessary fee and obtained the driver license receipt and application form.
(iii) the student presents the completed, notarized application and receipts for payment of the permit with proof of identity, certified birth certificate, proof of residency, and social security number to the examiner. The permit is valid for one
year from the date of receipt.
(iv) the student is at least 14 1/2 years of age.
(v) the student is successfully participating in or has successfully completed a state-approved traffic education program.- (vi) the student successfully completes all parts of the driver license examination other than the driving test; or
(b) through a public school district participating in the cooperative driver testing program (CDTP) provided:
(i) the student is at least 14 1/2 years of age and is enrolled in an approved traffic education program participating in the CDTP;
(ii) the student presents to the CDTP school district the completed, notarized application with proof of identity, certified birth certificate, proof of residency, and social security number;
(iii) the student successfully completes an eye exam and written knowledge test through the CDTP school district as authorized by the Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division. The learner license is valid for one year from the date of successful completion of the written exam; and
(iv) the respective CDTP school district personnel places the student's name on the "Student List" form (TE04) with an indication of a waiver for the knowledge test, and transmits the student list, along with the "Certification" form (TE03) signed by the appropriate school district personnel to the local driver license exam office within three days of issuance of the learner license to the student.
- Montana's GDL law (MCA 61.5.132-135) is a three-step program that reduces the risk while new drivers under age 18 develop and improve their driving skills. Teens still get to drive—with supervision—and gradually gain experience to begin driving on their own, but with restrictions on night driving and passengers.
- Young drivers face the highest crash risk in darkness and each teen passenger doubles the crash risk. Safety research is clear that newly licensed drivers should start driving with no young passengers. Learning to drive is a complex, ongoing process that requires responsibility and thousands of miles of practice to develop competence, skill, and judgment. Just like with sports and music, good habits and abilities grow through experience and good coaching.