A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Montana to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Montana CDL fees start at $49 for a 4-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Montana CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA background check and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Critical for oil field chemical and fuel transport in the Bakken corridor and for fuel haulers serving remote Montana communities.
Required for liquid or gas bulk tank operations. Common for fuel tankers serving remote Montana towns, grain belt co-ops, and oil field operations in Richland and Roosevelt counties.
Required for buses carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required. Montana's rural school districts cover extremely large geographic areas — some routes exceed 100 miles.
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Class A CDL required. Less common in Montana due to mountain grades but used on flat eastern plains I-90 and US-2.
Combination of H and N endorsements; TSA background check applies. Common for Bakken oil field fuel and chemical tankers operating out of Williston area.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR) at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Montana →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. The MEC is valid for up to 24 months (shorter for drivers with certain conditions). Submit the MEC copy to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division and self-certify as 'non-excepted interstate'.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a Montana Motor Vehicle Division office with proof of identity, Montana residency, and Social Security Number. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL original fee is $49 — one of the lowest in the West.
Montana CDLs are valid for 4 years. Your DOT Medical Certificate is separate — interstate drivers must renew it every 24 months or as required by your medical examiner. Renew your CDL at any Montana MVD office before it expires to avoid retesting requirements.
Montana allows trucks to travel at 75 mph on Interstate highways during daylight hours, which is among the highest truck speed limits in the US. Mountain corridor passes such as Homestake Pass (I-90) and Lookout Pass (I-90) have lower posted limits. Always observe posted speeds — enforcement is active.
Bakken oil field operations in northeastern Montana typically require a Class A CDL with N (Tank Vehicle) and H (Hazardous Materials) endorsements for fuel and chemical transport. The H endorsement requires TSA background check and fingerprinting. Most oil field carriers also require 1–2 years of verifiable CMV experience beyond minimum CDL requirements.
Yes. Most logging trucks in Montana — including pole trailer and log truck combinations — require a Class A CDL because the GCWR exceeds 26,001 lbs. Air brakes are standard on logging equipment so the Air Brakes knowledge test is required. Drivers should be comfortable with mountain grades, loaded descent braking, and weight limit compliance on forest roads.
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Montana CDL fees are among the most affordable in the western US at $49. Fees subject to change — verify current amounts at dojmt.gov. Skills test fees vary by testing location. DOT Medical Certificate must be renewed separately per FMCSA requirements (typically every 24 months).
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Montana MT Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026