Montana CDL Classes Explained
Which Montana CDL class you need depends on vehicle weight, what it tows, and the type of operation, not just the truck size. The three classes are set by federal rule (49 CFR 383.91) and are the same in every state, so a Montana CDL is valid nationwide. Montana Motor Vehicle Division issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Montana's vast geography and extractive industries create strong demand for flatbed and oversize-load operators.
A Class A CDL is generally used for combination vehicles, including tractor-trailers, when the gross combination weight rating is 26,001 pounds or more and the towed unit is over 10,000 pounds.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes if equipped
- Combination Vehicles
- Vehicle Inspection
- Basic Vehicle Control
- Road Test
Common Job Types
- Tractor-trailer driver
- Regional freight driver
- Heavy combination vehicle operator
- Class A delivery driver
Class A CDL in Montana
Class A is the license behind most of Montana's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-90, I-15, I-94. With mining and aggregate, lumber and timber, oil and gas driving demand, typical Montana Class A work includes:
- Mining and aggregate: bulk end-dumps, belly-dump hoppers, and heavy-haul equipment moves for the mines
- Lumber and timber: flatbed and step-deck loads of steel, lumber, and building materials
- Oil and gas: crude, fuel, and chemical tankers (N and H endorsements) serving the energy sector
- Agriculture and grain: grain hoppers running from elevators to processors and export terminals
Apply, test, and schedule through Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Not sure this is your class? Use the Montana CDL Selector.
A Class B CDL is generally used for a single commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, plus limited towing.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes if equipped
- Vehicle Inspection
- Basic Vehicle Control
- Road Test
Common Job Types
- Straight truck driver
- Dump truck driver
- Large bus driver
- Box truck driver
- Concrete mixer driver
Class B CDL in Montana
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Montana moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Montana Class B work includes:
- Mining and aggregate: on-road dump trucks and water trucks around mine and quarry sites
- Lumber and timber: dump trucks, concrete mixers, and boom trucks on construction sites
- Oil and gas: water trucks, vacuum trucks, and single-unit haulers on well sites and plants
- Agriculture and grain: single-unit grain and feed trucks at harvest (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
Apply, test, and schedule through Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Not sure this is your class? Use the Montana CDL Selector.
A Class C CDL may apply when the vehicle does not meet Class A or B weight definitions but is used for passengers, school bus operation, or placarded hazardous materials.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge as required
- Passenger or School Bus endorsement if applicable
- HazMat endorsement if applicable
- State-specific requirements
Common Job Types
- Shuttle driver
- Small passenger vehicle driver
- School activity driver
- HazMat delivery driver
Class C CDL in Montana
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Montana that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Montana Class C work includes:
- Mining and aggregate: crew and shift-change buses (P endorsement) and light HazMat runs to the sites
- Oil and gas: crew transport vans and light-duty HazMat deliveries to field sites
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Montana school districts (P and S endorsements)
- Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers
Apply, test, and schedule through Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Not sure this is your class? Use the Montana CDL Selector.
Not sure which class applies to you?
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and operation, and the CDL Selector gives you a starting point in under a minute.