Checked against official Montana sources on Oct 8, 2026
Montana CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and Montana follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official Montana source, and a free practice test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
Montana CDL facts
| What | What Montana says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | You must be 21 to apply for an interstate CDL. You must be 18 to apply for an intrastate (Montana only) CDL. | Official page |
| CDL fee, intrastate | For ages 21 to 71 the fee is $35.54 and the license is valid 4 years. At 18 it is $26.78 for 3 years, at 19 it is $18.33 for 2 years, and at 20 it is $9.27 for 1 year. | Official page |
| CDL fee, interstate | For ages 21 to 71 the fee is $41.72 and the license is valid 4 years. The manual says fees are subject to change. | Official page |
| Age based CDL term | Montana CDL fees and terms drop by age. At ages 72, 73 and 74 an interstate CDL lasts 3, 2 and 1 years. At 75 and older it lasts 4 years again. | Official page |
| CLP validity | A CLP is valid for one year from the issue date. | Official page |
| CLP holding time | You must hold a CLP at least 14 days before the pre-trip, basic skills and road test. You may test on the 15th day. | Official page |
| CLP rules | A CLP holder driving a commercial vehicle needs an accompanying driver who is licensed and endorsed for that class of vehicle. | Official page |
| Knowledge test retest wait | If you fail a written or endorsement test, you must wait until the next working day the exam station is open to try again. | Official page |
| Road test retest wait | If you fail the road test, you must wait at least seven days before you try again. If you fail a step of the pre-trip, basic skills or road test sequence, the test ends and you must reschedule at least 1 day later. | Official page |
| Where to take the knowledge test | You can take written and vision tests at any Driver Exam Station. Road tests for Class A are given by appointment at selected sites. | Official page |
| Road test appointments | Appointments are needed for Class A, B and C driving tests. You can make one only after you pass the required written tests. | Official page |
| No-show fee | If you miss a scheduled appointment without telling the exam station first, a $20.00 reappointment fee may be required. | Official page |
| Entry level driver training | Since November 13, 2023, you need Entry Level Driver Training to get a Class A or B CDL for the first time, upgrade Class B to Class A, or get a first School Bus, Passenger or Hazmat endorsement. | Official page |
| Medical card rule | You need a valid medical examiner's certificate on your Montana driving record. Since June 23, 2025, MVD cannot accept paper medical cards. Only certificates sent electronically from the National Registry count. | Official page |
| Downgrade if medical card lapses | If you do not keep a current medical certificate with MVD, your commercial license will be downgraded to a noncommercial license. | Official page |
| Hazmat endorsement | You must complete a TSA security threat assessment before you get, transfer or renew a hazmat endorsement. The hazmat written test is required at renewal. | Official page |
| Non-domiciled CLP and CDL | Montana issues a Non-Domiciled CLP or CDL to a person domiciled in a foreign country who has legal presence in the U.S. The word Non-Domicile is printed on it. A foreign national with temporary presence gets a license that expires on the immigration document date or 1 year from issue, whichever is less. | Official page |
| New residents | If you have a valid CDL from your old state, you can use it for up to 30 consecutive days. After that you must surrender it and qualify for a Montana CDL. | Official page |
| Out-of-state CDL transfer | An out-of-state CDL holder may not have to take the written or skills test. You must take a vision test, qualify for a medical certificate and pay the fee. A hazmat endorsement needs a written test to transfer. | Official page |
| Restricted seasonal CDL | A seasonal CDL may go to employees in farm related service industries. Written and road tests are waived. It is valid only from March 15 through September 10, within 150 miles of the place of business or farm. | Official page |
| Military CDL test waiver | A qualified military service member can apply for a CDL without testing. The commanding officer typically certifies the qualification. | Official page |
| Air brake restriction | An L restriction goes on your CDL if you do not pass the air brake tests in an air brake vehicle. It bars air brake vehicles until you pass the written, pre-trip, basic skills and road tests. | Official page |
| Manual transmission restriction | An E restriction is added to every license tested in an automatic transmission CMV. | Official page |
| Tractor-trailer restriction | A Class A license gets a No Tractor Trailer restriction if you take the skills test with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection. | Official page |
| Tank vehicle definition | A tank vehicle holds liquid or gas in a tank of 1,000 gallons or more, or in several tanks that add up to 1,000 gallons or more. Only tanks over 119 gallons each are counted. Empty or residue tanks do not count. | Official page |
| School bus endorsement | School bus drivers must also have a Passenger endorsement. | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official Montana CDL page before you go. Read the official Montana CDL manual.
CDL test formats
We show the national defaults for question counts and time limits. Check the official Montana manual for anything that differs.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 40 (80%) | About 60 minutes |
| Air Brakes | 25 | 20 (80%) | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Hazardous Materials | 30 | 24 (80%) | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tanker | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| School Bus | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | About 25 minutes |
| Doubles/Triples | 20 | 16 (80%) | About 20 minutes |
Practice any of them: all CDL practice tests.