A Commercial Driver’s License in Montana (CDL) allows you to drive commercial trucks and vehicles either intrastate or interstate. There are several federal and state requirements that you must first meet in order to obtain a CDL. These requirements are there to ensure safety for those who are on the road. Compared to other professions, it only takes several weeks or months to obtain a CDL. And once you do, you will be able to start your career in the truck industry.
All CDL applicants must be at least 18 years old upon application. They are, however, allowed only to drive within the state. To apply for an interstate CDL, one must be 21 years or older. Applicants are also required to obtain a DOT medical certificate by undergoing physical and vision exams. Truck drivers are required to be physically fit and have good vision since they will be spending long hours on the road.
After you submit the requirements and pay the necessary fees, you will be allowed to take the written knowledge exam. You’ll also need to take additional tests for each endorsement you wish to apply for. You can better prepare for the exams by enrolling in a certified truck driver training school or program, or you can read the Montana CDL Manual. This manual contains important information that will surely come out of the exams.
Testing and Endorsements
• General knowledge test
• Air brakes test
• Passenger bus transport test
• Combination vehicles test
• Tanker test
• Hazardous materials test
• Doubles/triples test
After passing the exams the DMV will issue a learner’s permit, which is valid for a few months. This permit will allow you to practice driving a truck or commercial vehicle while under the supervision of a licensed driver. When you feel that you have enough experience, your next step is to go to the DMV office and schedule your road test before your permit expires. The road skills test is divided into three parts: pre-trip inspection, basic driving skills, and on-road driving. Applicants must pass all parts to obtain a CDL. If you fail at least one exam, you will have to start from the beginning.
One of the unique aspects of a Montana-issued CDL is the varying fees and the length of license validity for different ages. The ages 18, 19, 20 and 21, and 70 years old have different amounts and expiration dates. There are also different fees for interstate and intrastate CDL licenses.
Truck Driving Schools in MT Listed By City
Billings
SAGE Truck Driving School
3044 Hesper Road,
Billings, MT 59102
Phone: (800) 545-4546
Kalispell
Flathead Valley Community College
777 Grandview Drive,
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 756-3822
Missoula
SAGE Truck Driving School
9350 Cartage Road,
Missoula, MT 59808
(877) 724-3875
SAGE Truck Driving Schools are not only located in various cities within Montana, but in other states such as Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. SAGE schools have provided quality and comprehensive professional truck driver training to its students for over 20 years. The CDL training program at SAGE schools provides both thorough truck driver training and truck job placement assistance for the trucking industry.
Poplar
Fort Peck Community College
605 Indian Avenue,
P.O. Box 398
Poplar, MT 59255
(406) 768-6300
The requirements that you have to prepare for your application is a filled-out application form, identification cards, social security number, a DOT medical certification, and proof of legal residence or of US citizenship. The DOT medical certification can be accomplished by visiting a state-accredited physician or other medical professional. They have the certification forms and they are also the only ones who can medically certify whether you are road-worthy or not. Aside from this, you will also have to undergo an eye exam and you should meet the vision requirement of 20/40. If you are applying for a hazmat endorsement, you also have to present your criminal background check from the TSA.