2015 Schedule your test online: www.doj.mt.gov/driving Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division Driver License Bureau 302 North Roberts P.O. Box 201430 Helena, MT 59620-1430 doj.mt.gov/driving/ commercial-driver-licensing/ (406) 444-3933 2015 Commercial Driver License Manual Montana-Specific Rules and Regulations Intrastate Commercial Driver License (Montana Only) authorizes operation of a Commercial Motor Vehicle within the state of Montana but does not include vehicles operated solely within the state of Montana, which are engaged in “interstate commerce”. PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND IDENTITY CONFIRMATION Classifications Each Interstate or Intrastate license will be classified as to the type of vehicle driven as follows: Your identity is important. Identity theft is now the top-reported form of crime in the United States. The name and birth date on your application for a commercial driver license must match the primary document you Combination Vehicle (Class A) is any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating provide and will be checked with the Social Security Administration. This is to help protect you against (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being fraud. It’s important to fix discrepancies now to avoid problems in the future for you and your family. Please towed is in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). make sure the full legal name and date of birth you’re going to use on your application for a CDL Heavy Straight Vehicle (Class B) is any single vehicle with a GVWR of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 matches what is on file with the Social Security Administration. pounds or more) or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) GVWR. Note: A semi-tractor is not considered a Class B vehicle and cannot be used as such for You must also provide your Social Security Number on your CDL application. [See FMSCR 383.153(d)1.] testing. The Social Security Number you use on your CDL application must match the number on file with Small Vehicle (Class C) is any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of the Social Security Administration. Class A nor that of Class B as contained in this section, but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the HOW SAFE IS YOUR VEHICLE? purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and which requires the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations. Non-Commercial Vehicle (Class D) is any noncommercial vehicle authorized to be driven with a regular Pre-Trip. Drivers should all be familiar with checking the vehicle for safety driver license (Class D). before starting on a trip. As part of Commercial Driver License testing, you will be required to perform and pass a pre-trip inspection exam conducted by the Endorsement means authorization to an individual’s Commercial Driver License required to permit the individual driver license examiner. Steps that can help you perform a successful to operate certain types of Commercial Motor Vehicles. All persons who operate or expect to operate the type of inspection are outlined in section 11 of this manual. The pre-trip inspection motor vehicle described in the endorsement shall take and pass specialized tests. requires you to be very familiar with your vehicle. The pre-trip must be passed before a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s License is issued. Double/Triple Trailers endorsement is required for drivers who pull double or triple trailers in Vehicle Class A, B, or C. Passenger Vehicles endorsement is required in Class A, B, or C vehicles that are designed to transport sixteen ABOUT THIS MANUAL SUPPLEMENT or more passengers including the driver. This supplement to the driver manual is intended to help beginning drivers of trucks and buses prepare for the School Bus endorsement is required in Group A, B, or C vehicles that are designed or used to transport sixteen knowledge and behind-the-wheel drive tests for a Class A, B, or C Commercial Driver License. Experienced or more passengers, including the driver, that are pre-primary, primary or secondary school students from home drivers who may need to obtain a Class A, B, or C license should also review the material in the manual. The to school, from school to home, or to and from school sponsored events. School bus drivers must also have a manual can also help remind all drivers of trucks and buses of their responsibilities as professional drivers of Passenger endorsement. the biggest vehicles on the highway. Tank Vehicle meaning any Commercial Motor Vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous Truck safety has become a growing national concern. One way to address these concerns is to improve the materials within a tank that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis. Such knowledge and skills of the people who drive large commercial motor vehicles. The Commercial Motor Vehicle vehicles include, but are not limited to, cargo tanks and portable tanks as defined in CFR 383.5. The Safety Act, passed in 1986, was an attempt to assure that those who are issued a commercial driver license endorsement is applicable to commercial vehicles in Vehicle Class A, B, or C; however, this definition does not have the minimum knowledge, skills, and ability to safely operate on public streets and highways. All include portable tanks having a rated capacity less than 1,000 gallons. commercial drivers and especially new applications should study both the regular and commercial driver Hazardous Materials endorsement is required of placarded hazardous materials haulers operating commercial manuals. The knowledge tests are designed to test the knowledge covering the movement of traffic, equipment, vehicles in Vehicle Class A, B, or C. In compliance with federal law, drivers wishing to obtain, transfer or and driver responsibilities, as well as operating characteristics, federal laws, and regulations. renew a Hazardous Materials endorsement must first have a Security Threat Assessment (STA) completed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This assessment includes but is not limited COMMERCIAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS to fingerprinting and a criminal background check. For TSA office locations, fees, and appointment information, logon to www.hazprints.com or call toll free 1-877-429-7746. Montana’s Commercial license became effective Jan. 1, 1988. The license is based on where the vehicle is driven, Interstate or Intrastate (Montana Only), and is classified by the size of the vehicle driven (Class A, B, C Those who have previously had a security threat assessment completed within the past two years of applying and necessary endorsements can be added). to renew or transfer their CDL may not be required to complete another STA at this time. You may call 1-800- 648-1854 to check on your status. DEFINITIONS NT Restriction will be placed on every Class A license in which the towing unit used for testing does not Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) means a vehicle or combination of exceed 26,000 pounds. NT prohibits the operation of a tractor/trailer unit (i.e., No Tractor/Trailer). motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the Air Brake Restriction is a restriction placed on a Commercial Driver License prohibiting the operation of motor vehicle: has a gross combination weight rating of 11,794 kilograms airbrake equipped vehicles unless the driver has passed the required examinations (knowledge, pre-trip, basic or more (26,001 pounds or more) inclusive of a towed unit with a gross skills and drive tests) to show that he is qualified to operate an airbrake equipped vehicle. vehicle weight rating of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds); or has a gross vehicle rating of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or A No Manual Transmission Restriction (NM) will be added to every license that is taken in a CMV with an more); or is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the automatic transmission. This prohibits the operation of a commercial vehicle that is equipped with a manual driver; or is of any size and is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purpose of transmission unless the driver has passed the required examinations (knowledge, pre-trip, basic skills and drive the Hazardous Materials Transport Act and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the tests) to show that he is qualified to operate a manual transmission equipped vehicle. Hazardous Materials Regulations. Commercial License Permit (CLP) are permits you can get for any class of commercial license. If you are a Interstate Commercial Driver License (nationwide) authorizes operation of a Commercial Motor Vehicle in first-time applicant, you must pass the vision and knowledge tests, present a valid medical examiner's certificate interstate commerce. Section MT – Montana Rules and Regulations Page MT - 1 Section MT – Montana Rules and Regulations Page MT – 2 2015 Commercial Driver License Manual (MEC) (formerly known as a DOT card), plus fulfill all other requirements for the class of vehicle you want to o In response to a pipeline emergency condition requiring immediate response, such as a pipeline leak drive. or rupture o In custom harvesting on a farm or to transport farm machinery and supplies used in the custom Once all requirements are met, the CLP is issued and valid for 180 days from the issue date. CLP holders harvesting operation to and from a farm, or to transport custom harvested crops to storage or market operating a commercial motor vehicle requires an accompanying driver, licensed and endorsed for operating the o Beekeeper in the seasonal transportation of bees class of vehicle you are driving.