Montana Traffic Laws and Right-of-Way Rules
This domain tests Montana-specific numbers and the yield rules that decide who goes first. Montana sets its own speed limits and applies a "basic rule" that overrides the posted number whenever conditions demand it.
Speed and the Basic Rule
Interstate highways: 80 mph in daylight, 65 mph at night. Other public highways are generally 70 mph by day and 65 mph at night unless posted lower. The Basic Rule applies everywhere: never drive faster than is reasonable and prudent for weather, traffic, road surface, or visibility, even when you are under the posted limit. In rain, snow, or fog the safe speed is below the sign.
Right-of-way
- Uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals): yield to a vehicle approaching from your right.
- Four-way stop: first to stop is first to go; if you stop at the same moment, the driver on the left yields.
- Left turns: yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians.
- Roundabouts: yield to traffic already circulating, then enter to the right.
- Emergency vehicles with lights and siren: pull to the right and stop.
- School bus with flashing red lights: stop in both directions on an undivided road; on a divided highway, traffic on the far side of the median does not stop.
Occupant protection
Seat belts are a primary law in Montana: everyone in the front seat and every passenger under 18 must be belted. Children under 6 years old and under 60 pounds must ride in an approved child safety seat.
Worked example
You want to turn left on a green light while an oncoming car goes straight. The oncoming car goes first - a left turn yields to through traffic. If a pedestrian is also crossing the street you are turning into, the pedestrian goes before you, even though your light is green.
Traps that cost marks
Treating right-of-way as something you can take; waving another driver through when it isn't your turn and creating confusion; forgetting that pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way even on a green light.