Free Montana CDL practice test online
Take a free Montana CDL practice exam online with clear explanations—no sign-up. Coverage includes general knowledge, vehicle systems, combination vehicles, cargo, and endorsements. Then verify current requirements with Montana Motor Vehicle Division.
CDL knowledge tests are federally regulated, so the passing score in Montana is the same as everywhere else: 80% correct on every knowledge test. You must also hold a commercial learner’s permit for 14 days before the skills test.
New to the knowledge test? CDL endorsements explained · One-week study plan
Requirements before you test
Montana CDL test requirements
Commercial licensing is largely federal. Any figure above credited to a 49 CFR section applies in every state — see 49 CFR 383.135(a)(1) and 49 CFR 383.25(e). A figure credited to Montana Motor Vehicle Division is Montana’s own, and may be stricter than the federal floor. Test length, fees, and scheduling are set by Montana Motor Vehicle Division (official source).
Entry-Level Driver Training comes first
Since February 7, 2022, a new Class A or Class B CDL, a class upgrade, or a first passenger, school bus, or hazardous materials endorsement requires training from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (49 CFR 380.600). Practice questions are study material and do not satisfy that requirement.
FMCSA Training Provider RegistryYou need a Montana licence first
A commercial learner’s permit only counts if you already hold an ordinary licence from the same state (49 CFR 383.25(a)(2)). The Montana non-commercial knowledge test runs 33 questions and needs 27 correct, with permits issued from age 14 years, 6 months.
Montana permit practice testWhat you will practice
Build coverage topic by topic.
Each question carries a topic, difficulty, explanation, and source section so your review has context.
Sample questions
5 Montana CDL practice questions
Try these Montana sample questions now — each shows the correct answer with a plain-language explanation and a source section. The full 600-question bank is in the practice run.
1. Air-operated disc brakes use a slack adjuster and a power screw to:
- ADrain the wet tank
- BSpread S-cam shoes in a drum
- Clamp the disc or rotor between lining pads in a caliper
- DRelease spring brakes only
Answer: Clamp the disc or rotor between lining pads in a caliper. Disc air brakes resemble a large C-clamp: chamber force turns a power screw that clamps the rotor.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Air brakes — foundation brakes
2. High crosswinds are especially dangerous for doubles and triples when the trailers are:
- ACarrying liquid
- BCoupled to a heavy tractor
- CFully loaded
- Empty or lightly loaded
Answer: Empty or lightly loaded. A light trailer has little weight resisting the wind, so gusts can push it sideways or tip it. Slow down or stop in severe wind.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Doubles and triples — adverse conditions
3. Tests have shown liquid tankers can turn over at:
- Speeds at or near posted curve speed limits for cars
- BOnly when empty
- COnly in the rain
- DOnly half the posted curve speed always
Answer: Speeds at or near posted curve speed limits for cars. Take curves and ramps well below posted advisory speeds.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Tank vehicles — high center of gravity
4. In combination-vehicle terms, offtracking means:
- The rear wheels follow a different (usually shorter inside) path than the front wheels in a turn
- BThe fifth wheel slides freely
- CAir lines cross automatically
- DThe trailer tracks exactly in the tractor’s path
Answer: The rear wheels follow a different (usually shorter inside) path than the front wheels in a turn. Longer vehicles offtrack more. Steer wide enough for the trailer path without swinging into other lanes unsafely.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Combination vehicles — turning
5. Besides cargo checks, during a trip you should watch instruments and:
- ADisable warning lamps
- BIncrease speed to reach the shop faster
- CIgnore unusual smells
- Look, listen, and smell for problems, and pull over safely to investigate
Answer: Look, listen, and smell for problems, and pull over safely to investigate. Early attention to a new noise, smell, or gauge reading can prevent a roadside failure.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Vehicle inspection — during a trip
CDL knowledge areas
Classes and endorsements, organized.
Each area below scopes the reviewed question bank to one knowledge test. The material is federal, so it applies in Montana just like everywhere else — the endorsement guide explains how the codes fit together.
The foundation for commercial driving: inspections, space, speed, communication, hazards, and safe operation.
- Pre-trip inspection
- Space and speed management
- Railroad crossings
- Emergency procedures
Understand air-brake components, inspections, warning devices, stopping distance, and controlled braking.
- Dual air systems
- Low-air warnings
- Brake lag and fade
- Applied-leak and static checks
Prepare for safe coupling, inspection, turning, backing, and handling of tractor-trailer combinations.
- Fifth-wheel inspection
- Coupling and uncoupling
- Off-tracking
- Trailer skid prevention
Study hazard communication, shipping papers, placards, loading rules, parking, and emergency response responsibilities.
- Hazard classes
- Placards and labels
- Shipping papers
- Loading and segregation
Learn how liquid surge, outage, bulkheads, and high centers of gravity change vehicle handling.
- Liquid surge
- Outage requirements
- Smooth braking
- Rollover prevention
Practice converter-dolly inspection, coupling order, rearward amplification, and stability principles.
- Coupling sequence
- Converter dollies
- Rearward amplification
- Space management
Prepare to inspect, load, and operate buses while keeping passengers, aisles, and exits safe.
- Vehicle inspection
- Passenger loading
- Emergency exits
- Prohibited practices
Review student loading, danger zones, mirrors, emergency procedures, and special railroad-crossing duties.
- Danger zones
- Student loading
- Mirror use
- Railroad crossings
More west practice
Nearby CDL practice tests
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Common questions
What this practice can—and cannot—tell you.