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A qualified supervising driver must sit beside the learner whenever the learner-license rules require supervision. Merely supervising a practice drive does not automatically make that adult the same person who carries Montana's statutory application-signer liability.
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The supervisor rules depend on the learner's age and status. For an under-18 learner, a parent or legal guardian may supervise, or another licensed driver age 18 or older may supervise with parent or guardian permission. A family relationship is not required. Required supervised-hour totals also depend on the learner's approved traffic-education pathway. Montana supervision rule.
| Learner | Who Can Supervise? |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | Parent, legal guardian, or another licensed driver age 18+ with parent/guardian permission |
| Ward of the state | Licensed driver age 18+ |
| Age 18+ | Licensed driver seated beside the learner under the general learner-license rule |
Yes, for an under-18 learner, if the family friend is a licensed driver age 18 or older and has parent or guardian permission. Montana does not require the approved adult to be a relative. Official rule.
A learner who is a ward of the state may be supervised by a licensed driver age 18 or older. See MCA 61-5-106.
An adult learner follows the general learner-license rule: a licensed driver must be seated beside the learner. The under-18 parent/guardian permission rule does not apply in the same way. Official rule.
A supervising driver must remain seated beside the learner for the drive and hold a valid driver license while supervising. Qualification to supervise is separate from the liability that may attach to the person who signed a minor's license application. Montana's imputed-liability statute addresses the application signer and includes an insurance exception.
Not automatically just because the adult is supervising. Montana's specific imputed-liability rule applies to the person who signed the minor's application, subject to the statute's insurance exception. The supervisor still has to meet the separate qualification and seating rules. See MCA 61-5-108.
| Supervisor Type | Conditions & Legal Duties |
|---|---|
| Parent/Legal Guardian | May supervise. For an under-18 learner, a parent or legal guardian may also give permission for another licensed driver age 18 or older to supervise. Application-signing liability is a separate rule. |
| Authorized Adult (18+) | May supervise an under-18 learner with parent or guardian permission. Supervising by itself does not make that adult the minor's application signer or automatically impose the signer's statutory liability. |
| Out-of-State License Holder | May qualify if the license is valid and the applicable age and parent-permission rules are met. Montana law does not require the supervising license to be issued by Montana. |
For supervised-hour totals, night-hour rules and log requirements, use the Required Practice Hours guide.
If the person beside the learner does not meet the applicable supervisor rule, the learner may be treated as driving without the required supervision. Do not assume a fixed automatic suspension or that previously valid practice hours are erased; consequences depend on the actual violation and record.
Schedule mandatory night driving hours during winter evenings in cities like Bozeman or Helena. Starting at 5:00 PM in December counts as night driving due to early darkness.
Study supervisor requirements in the Montana Driver Manual PDF before practice sessions. For location-specific office hours and requirements, call 1-406-444-1772.
Find additional Montana permit information and teen driving guidance on the official MVD website for complete GDL requirements and forms.
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