Montana CDL Practice Test

Montana’s MVD doesn’t publish its test sizes. Our practice tests follow the usual CDL format: General Knowledge 50 questions (40 to pass), Hazmat 30 (24), Air Brakes 25 (20), and Combination, Tank, Doubles/Triples, Passenger and School Bus 20 each (16).

The Montana Commercial Driver License Manual (revised June 2026): Montana’s own rules, then inspection, safe driving, cargo, passengers, air brakes, combination vehicles, doubles and triples, tankers, hazardous materials and school buses.

You can try again on the next working day the exam station is open. Written and vision tests are given at any driver exam station, and the written tests include questions on federal motor carrier rules as well as Montana law.

80% on each of the 8 tests, each graded on its own (General Knowledge: 40 of 50). Every test's numbers are in the table on this page. Always confirm the current tests with the Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). Why 80% in every state →

Pass the vision and written tests and have a valid medical examiner’s certificate on your record. The CLP is valid for one year; you drive only with a licensed, endorsed driver along, and must hold it 14 days before the skills tests (test on day 15). Montana Commercial Driver License Manual p. 2

18 for an intrastate (Montana only) CDL and 21 for an interstate CDL. An intrastate CDL holder can’t haul products moving in interstate commerce. Montana Commercial Driver License Manual p. 3

No. Since June 23, 2025, MVD accepts only medical certificates sent electronically from the National Registry by your examiner. Without a current certificate, your CDL is downgraded to non-commercial. Montana Commercial Driver License Manual p. 3

Yes. New residents may use an out-of-state CDL for 30 days. A valid CDL usually transfers with a vision test, medical certificate and fee, but a hazmat endorsement needs the written test again. Montana Commercial Driver License Manual p. 4

Not at present. On March 16, 2026, MVD temporarily halted all services for non-domiciled drivers, including new licenses and privilege reinstatements, until it can comply with FMCSA’s final rule. Under that rule they are limited to H-2A, H-2B or E-2 status, handled in person at an exam station with an unexpired foreign passport and I-94 or I-94A checked through SAVE every time, and expire on the I-94 date or after one year, whichever comes first.

Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) lists the current fees for the commercial learner permit, the CDL tests and the license on its official fee page.

The type says where you drive: Type 1 is interstate (from 21), Type 2 Montana only (from 18). The class says what: Class A is a combination over 26,000 pounds pulling a trailer over 10,000 and covers B, C and D; Class B is a vehicle over 26,000 pounds with a trailer up to 10,000; Class C is a smaller vehicle with placarded hazmat, a school bus or 16 or more people aboard.

Yes. Since October 15, 2024, every CDL and learner permit application goes through it. Anyone under a federal driving prohibition is refused, and a current holder loses the commercial privileges until the return-to-duty process is done.

Through the Military Even Exchange, a service member who drives a vehicle equal to a CMV, now or in the last 12 months, gets a CDL with no skills test, and the written tests may be waived too; the commanding officer confirms it. School bus, passenger and hazmat endorsements don't carry over.

The three parts run in order: pre-trip inspection, basic control, then the road test. Fail either of the first two and the test ends there, and you wait at least 24 hours to retest. Pass those but fail the road test, and you wait at least a week.

You bring it yourself, in the class you applied for: in good working order, currently registered and insured, with seat belts and a passenger seat. A vehicle carrying hazardous materials can't be used for the test.

With a Montana driver license: the license, proof of authorized presence in the U.S. and a valid medical examiner's certificate. With an out-of-state CDL: that CDL, proof of identity, Montana residency and authorized presence, your Social Security number and a valid medical certificate. Passing the written test gets you the CLP.

Yes. Montana accepts a digital ID card from a federally recognized tribe whose reservation is in Montana, if it shows your photo, date of birth and tribal enrollment number. Other proofs include a certified U.S. birth certificate, a U.S. passport or passport card, and a permanent resident card.

Excepted drivers who use a CMV only as government employees, for fire and rescue emergencies, to carry the sick, injured or deceased, for emergency propane or pipeline response, in custom harvesting, to move bees, or as a private passenger carrier for non-business purposes. Ask your employer first: some still require a certificate.

If you meet Montana's own medical requirements, you can be issued a Montana medical card that lets you drive commercially within Montana only, on an intrastate CDL. You fill out extra medical statements as part of the application.

A CDL for qualified farm-service industry workers, with written and road tests waived for a good record. It’s valid only March 15 to September 10, within 150 miles of the business or farm. Montana Commercial Driver License Manual p. 5

Montana’s manual says the CDL is suspended for six months for a first offense and one to three years for later ones, with heavier penalties for hazmat or vehicles carrying more than 15 passengers. Montana Commercial Driver License Manual p. 5

A TSA security threat assessment (fingerprints and background check) before the endorsement is issued, renewed or transferred, plus the hazmat written test; first-time applicants also complete entry-level training.

Pass the written test, then the full skills test (pre-trip, basic skills and road test) in a vehicle representative of your class. As with a class upgrade, you're issued a CLP and must hold it 14 days before testing, and first-time applicants complete entry-level training.

Your CDL is canceled and you can't apply again for 60 days. Holding more than one license at a time is also against the law, and a court can fine or jail you for it.

The officer takes your CDL on the spot and gives you a 5-day permit for noncommercial driving that starts 12 hours later. The CDL is then suspended for a year (three with hazmat, life for a second refusal), with no restricted probationary CDL. You have 30 days to challenge it in district court.

In a commercial vehicle: speeding 15 mph or more over the limit, reckless driving or recklessly endangering highway workers or emergency crews, erratic lane changes, tailgating, a violation in a fatal crash, texting, or driving without a CDL, the right class or endorsement, or refusing to show your CDL. Two in three years cost 60 days; three, 120.

An interstate CDL is downgraded. An intrastate one is marked Not Certified instead: not a downgrade, but you can't drive commercially until a registered examiner uploads a new certificate. Excepted drivers, and those qualifying for a Montana Medical Card, follow their own rules.

Online, if you're in the renewal window, have a valid medical certificate on file and aren't adding endorsements. By mail only every other renewal, without hazmat, and only if you're out of state until after it expires or live in a county with no license office. In person, any exam station gives you a temporary license, and the card follows in two to four weeks.

For renewal, yes: you have 365 days before you must apply as a new driver and take every test again. For driving, no: the CDL stops being valid on its expiration date.

Apply to TSA for a new threat assessment between six months and 60 days before the CDL expires; the result takes 30 to 40 days to reach the MVD. Then book the hazmat knowledge test and your renewal at an exam station, with a current medical certificate on file.

Yes, any time: to a lower class (Class A to B or C), by dropping endorsements you no longer use, or back to a standard driver license.

It depends on why. A second major offense, such as a second DUI or test refusal, brings a lifetime suspension that department rules may lift after at least 10 years. Using a vehicle in a felony involving making or dealing drugs brings a lifetime suspension that Montana will never lift.