How long does cdl truck driver training take in Montana?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Montana through FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Montana (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Montana?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,870. Employment concentration in Montana is about 1.15 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: Do CDL truck drivers need a license in Montana?

Yes. Montana requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Montana?

Montana currently employs approximately 7,830 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Montana employs about 7,830 CDL truck drivers earning a median $58,870 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a CDL Truck Driver here means completing FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years, then applying through Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Montana

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Bridgerland Technical College	73.8	Contact school for pricing	$42,070	Not reported	Yes*	359 mi
2	Walla Walla Community College	70.4	Contact school for pricing	$56,719	43%	Yes*	352 mi
3	Spokane Community College	68.4	Contact school for pricing	$52,567	35%	Yes*	304 mi
4	Big Bend Community College	66.7	Contact school for pricing	$48,868	39%	Yes*	391 mi
5	Miles Community College	65.0	$5,818 - $17,452	$43,022	55%	Yes*	247 mi
6	Columbia Basin College	61.3	$6,555 - $18,261	$67,608	30%	—	389 mi
7	Northern Wyoming Community College District	60.3	Contact school for pricing	$51,958	Not reported	Yes*	243 mi
8	Davis Technical College	47.9	Contact school for pricing	$47,706	Not reported	—	409 mi
9	Highlands College of Montana Tech	40.9	Contact school for pricing	$79,369	36%	—	100 mi
10	Fort Peck Community College	33.2	$2,250 - $10,164	$31,073	16%	—	283 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Montana employs approximately 7,830 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,870 ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a CDL Truck Driver in Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: ELDT from a Training Provider Registry school (find programs)
Typical timeline: FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years
Licensing authority: Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Montana): $58,870 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Montana

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Montana? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau.

How long does it take? Most people finish FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau.

Do I need a license in Montana? Yes. Montana credentials this role through Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Montana? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Montana is $58,870 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,040 and experienced professionals can earn $74,120 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Montana

Meet age, record, and medical rules. Interstate CDL driving is generally 21 and up; many states allow intrastate CDL at 18. Pass a DOT medical exam from an NRCME examiner.
Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test. Earn a commercial learner’s permit, practice, then pass the skills test at the state driver-license office.
Receive the CDL and endorsements. The state issues the CDL. Add endorsements the job needs. Confirm current rules with the state DMV, not a parent transportation agency homepage.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Montana

CDL truck drivers in Montana complete FMCSA ELDT, pass a DOT medical exam, and earn a state-issued CDL. This is a weeks-long path, not a multi-year apprenticeship. See Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau ³.

Typical path

Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.
Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test.
Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Montana

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Montana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Montana vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Billings	1,990	$60,850	$62,040	$47,470	$77,630
Missoula	920	$58,500	$58,190	$46,110	$71,490
Bozeman	770	$62,780	$63,760	$49,320	$76,790
Great Falls	510	$54,460	$55,560	$44,280	$63,790
Helena	400	$56,800	$57,030	$43,400	$67,430

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 7,830 CDL truck drivers ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Montana.

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Montana is $58,870, which is $1,430 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Montana

Best Trade Schools in Montana (2026)

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Justice - Motor Vehicles Division - Field Operations Bureau - Licensing Information: https://dojmt.gov/driving/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)