Montana General Knowledge Test

About the Montana General Knowledge Test

Montana's roads aren't like anywhere else. You'll drive through heavy snow on I-94, navigate steep grades on I-90 near Butte, and haul grain on US-2 across the Hi-Line. Winter storms can hit without warning, and you might share the road with livestock or oil field trucks. The General Knowledge test covers the basics you'll need every day.

This test checks your understanding of vehicle inspection, basic control, and safe driving practices. It's the first step for every CDL applicant in Montana. Pass it, and you can move on to air brakes, combination vehicles, or endorsements like tanker or hazmat.

Montana's commercial drivers handle everything from hay bales to heavy equipment. You might run logs from Eureka, deliver fuel to ranches near Miles City, or haul fertilizer across the Flathead. The General Knowledge test makes sure you know the rules before you hit the road.

What This Test Covers

• Vehicle Inspection – You'll need to check your rig before every trip, especially on Montana's long, remote routes.
• Basic Control Skills – Backing and turning matter in tight mountain town loading docks.
• Safe Driving Practices – Speed management on icy highways and high winds on the Hi-Line.
• Air Brakes – Critical for mountainous terrain descents and stopping on packed snow.
• Cargo Handling – Securing heavy equipment or grain loads across uneven roads.
• Rules of the Road – Strict Montana laws for passing, school buses, and railroad crossings.

Study Tips

Take your time reading the Montana CDL manual – it's about 100 pages, but the General Knowledge section is the core. Focus on inspection procedures and safe driving strategies. Don't cram; study a little each day. Use our practice tests to find your weak spots.

Bring two forms of ID to the DMV – your Montana driver's license and a birth certificate or passport. You'll need to schedule an appointment at most offices, so call ahead. The written test costs $10.00, and you get three tries within a year before you have to start over.

Montana DMV Information

Montana CDL written tests are administered at DMV offices in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Butte, Kalispell, and many smaller towns. You must schedule an appointment – walk-ins aren't guaranteed. Call your local office or use the online booking system. The test fee is $10.00 for the General Knowledge portion.

You'll need a current Montana driver's license, proof of residency, and a self-certification of your medical status. Some offices also require a CDL application form filled out before your visit. Check the Montana DOJ website for the most current rules and office hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Other Montana CDL Practice Tests

Test Details

• State: Montana
• Test: General Knowledge Test
• Questions: 140
• Passing Score: 80%
• Time Limit: 60 minutes
• Cost: Free

Need ELDT Training?

If you're getting your first CDL, you need ELDT theory training before your skills test.