Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerMontana CDL Prep
Montana CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Montana commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Montana CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Montana
In Montana, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Montana age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Montana CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Montana Motor Vehicle Division and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Montana. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Montana Motor Vehicle Division issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Montana Motor Vehicle Division testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerMontana CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Montana CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Montana.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Montana?
Yes. Effective November 13, 2023, Montana requires ELDT for first-time Class A or B CDLs, upgrades from Class B to Class A, and first-time School Bus (S), Passenger (P), or Hazardous Materials (H) endorsements. Complete training with an FMCSA-registered provider before skills or hazmat knowledge testing as required.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Montana?
Yes for most applicants. Self-certify your commercial operation type. Non-excepted drivers need a Medical Examiner's Certificate from a National Registry examiner (uploaded to the FMCSA registry). Intrastate non-excepted drivers may use an MEC or Montana Medical Certificate. Keep medical status current with MVD — failure can downgrade your CDL to a Class D license.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Montana?
Schedule at cars.dojmt.gov and bring your Montana Class D license (or out-of-state license with Montana residency proof and Social Security number), proof of authorized presence, and a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate. CDL fees vary by age and whether you need interstate or intrastate privileges — see the Montana MVD licensing fees tables.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Montana?
Yes. Montana will not issue a hazardous materials endorsement until it receives TSA notice that you passed the security threat assessment (background check). First-time hazmat applicants also need hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test. You cannot take a CDL skills test in a hazmat vehicle.
How long is a Montana CLP valid?
A Montana Commercial Learner Permit is valid for one year from the issue date. You must hold it for at least 14 days before skills testing (you may test on the 15th day), and finish all testing before the CLP expires.
How do I schedule Montana CDL testing?
Schedule written and skills test appointments online at cars.dojmt.gov or by calling 406-444-3933. Arrive 15 minutes early with required documents. Missing a skills appointment without canceling first incurs a $20.60 cancellation fee.
Are non-domiciled CDLs available in Montana?
Not currently. Montana MVD has temporarily halted all services for non-domiciled drivers, including issuances and privilege reinstatements, while complying with FMCSA rule changes.
Can military members waive Montana CDL testing?
Yes. Qualified service members may apply for a Military CDL Even Exchange or skills test waiver. Qualification is typically certified by a commanding officer. School bus, passenger, and hazmat endorsements generally cannot be transferred through Even Exchange and still require testing.
Does PrepCDL cover Montana?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Montana CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.