CDL

Non-credit Workforce Training

Program Overview

We offer two commercial truck driving programs. A full, 120-hour program teaches students basic truck driving skills introducing students to the field of heavy-duty trucking. Safety is emphasized as well as equipment knowledge and State and Federal Department of Transportation rules and regulations. Curriculum includes CTTS/NSCSI CDL Study Manual. Field training and testing is conducted on a one-to-one basis. Program prepares students for a Montana Type 1 Certification Class A License (inter-state). If a student is 18 to 21, he/she prepares for a Montana Type 2 Certification Class A License (intra-state). Bitterroot College CDL Program consists of 40 hours online learning and up to 80 hours BTW driver training (driver training is scheduled with instructor).

We also offer a 20-hour refresher course for those needed to brush up on skills or with expired CDLs. See program format for more details. 

Program Location

UM Bitterroot, 103 South 9th Street, Hamilton, 59840

Program Dates 

Orientation is scheduled for March 6th, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

At orientation we will discuss expectations for drive time, online instruction, funding opportunities, and much more.  

Flexible and Affordable

Program Cost

$5,000 per participant; cost includes tuition, on-line learning hub, and up to 80 hours of field training

*Program fee does not include background check, motor vehicle record, Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical, drug screening sample & results fees, Learner’s Permit, or TSA HAZPRINT

Refund Policy: 100% refund before start of training; no refund after course start date

Classroom Instruction - 40 online instructional hours

Self paced; Additional Hazardous Materials (TSA HAZPRINT) online training can be purchased for $195 

Learner's Permit

Exam taken at state motor vehicle division office; exam follows completion of online learning. Learner's Permit fee is $50 (Not included in program fee)

Field Training (up to 80 hours)

One-on-one training with instructor. Field training follows earning of Learner's Permit; field training is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please talk to the instructor about special circumstances.

State CDL Exam

Scheduled after completion of field training; exam is taken at state motor vehicle division office located in Missoula; instructor accompanies student; vehicle used during exam is UM Bitterroot tractor trailer; exam cost is already included in Learner's Permit Fee

Program Cost

$3000 per participant

Cost includes 20 hours of field training

*Fee does not include background check, motor vehicle record (required for those with an expired license), Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical (required for those with an expired license), and drug screening sample & results fees.

Refund Policy: 100% refund before start of training; no refund after course start date

Field Training (20 hours)

  • One-on-one training with instructor. Field training follows earning of Learner's Permit; field training is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please talk to the instructor about special circumstances

IMPORTANT: Program Fee Assistance takes time to process; connect with assistance providers ASAP

Pathways Programs Funding (formerly WoRC), Human Resource Council, 303 North 3rd Street, Hamilton

(406) 363-6101: Lisa Kearns, ext.1 or Holly Montgomery, ext. 2

Ravalli County Federal Credit Union - Bitterroot College Roadmap to Success Loans

Call 406.363-4631 and ask for a Loan Officer to learn loan details and submit a loan application

Rural Employment Opportunities (REO); (for eligibility, must have worked in agriculture within last 2 years)

Sesar Bonilla, sesar@reomontana.org, (406) 274-4172

Veterans Administration Educational Benefits, Valley Veterans Service Center, 217 North 3rd Street, Suite L, Hamilton

Veterans and family members:check your benefits eligibility, call (406) 363-9838 for an appointment

Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation Services Training Funds

Debra Fleig, debra.fleig@va.gov. (406) 258-1084; 2681 Palmer Street, Suite N, Missoula

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Training Funds – Disability Employment Assistance Program

Julie Ochoa, julie.ochoa@mt.gov, (406) 329-5400

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Funding, Human Resource Council, 303 North 3rd Street, Hamilton

DeLynn Gardner, dgardner@mt.gov, (406) 560-1689 or Missoula Job Service, (406) 728-7060

WIOA Youth Employment Program (serves ages 14 to 24), Human Resource Council, 303 North 3rd Street, Hamilton

Morgan Solonar, mfs@hrcxi.org, (406) 363-6101, ext. 4

Class A License

Program Cost

$5,000 per participant; cost includes tuition, on-line learning hub, and up to 80 hours of field training

*Program fee does not include background check, motor vehicle record, Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical, drug screening sample & results fees, Learner’s Permit, or TSA HAZPRINT

Refund Policy: 100% refund before start of training; no refund after course start date

Classroom Instruction - 40 online instructional hours

Self paced; Additional Hazardous Materials (TSA HAZPRINT) online training can be purchased for $195 

Learner's Permit

Exam taken at state motor vehicle division office; exam follows completion of online learning. Learner's Permit fee is $50 (Not included in program fee)

Field Training (up to 80 hours)

One-on-one training with instructor. Field training follows earning of Learner's Permit; field training is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please talk to the instructor about special circumstances.

State CDL Exam

Scheduled after completion of field training; exam is taken at state motor vehicle division office located in Missoula; instructor accompanies student; vehicle used during exam is UM Bitterroot tractor trailer; exam cost is already included in Learner's Permit Fee

Program Cost

$3000 per participant

Cost includes 20 hours of field training

*Fee does not include background check, motor vehicle record (required for those with an expired license), Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical (required for those with an expired license), and drug screening sample & results fees.

Refund Policy: 100% refund before start of training; no refund after course start date

Field Training (20 hours)

  • One-on-one training with instructor. Field training follows earning of Learner's Permit; field training is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please talk to the instructor about special circumstances

IMPORTANT: Program Fee Assistance takes time to process; connect with assistance providers ASAP

Pathways Programs Funding (formerly WoRC), Human Resource Council, 303 North 3rd Street, Hamilton

(406) 363-6101: Lisa Kearns, ext.1 or Holly Montgomery, ext. 2

Ravalli County Federal Credit Union - Bitterroot College Roadmap to Success Loans

Call 406.363-4631 and ask for a Loan Officer to learn loan details and submit a loan application

Rural Employment Opportunities (REO); (for eligibility, must have worked in agriculture within last 2 years)

Sesar Bonilla, sesar@reomontana.org, (406) 274-4172

Veterans Administration Educational Benefits, Valley Veterans Service Center, 217 North 3rd Street, Suite L, Hamilton

Veterans and family members:check your benefits eligibility, call (406) 363-9838 for an appointment

Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation Services Training Funds

Debra Fleig, debra.fleig@va.gov. (406) 258-1084; 2681 Palmer Street, Suite N, Missoula

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Training Funds – Disability Employment Assistance Program

Julie Ochoa, julie.ochoa@mt.gov, (406) 329-5400

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Funding, Human Resource Council, 303 North 3rd Street, Hamilton

DeLynn Gardner, dgardner@mt.gov, (406) 560-1689 or Missoula Job Service, (406) 728-7060

WIOA Youth Employment Program (serves ages 14 to 24), Human Resource Council, 303 North 3rd Street, Hamilton

Morgan Solonar, mfs@hrcxi.org, (406) 363-6101, ext. 4

Application Requirements

Current Montana Driver License

Must be at least 18 years of age

Visit the Criminal History Online Public Record Sheet Website and under Public Users click on Start Service

  • Cost is $20.00. Pay online with eCheck, credit card, or debit card

Within 14 days of your payment, print background check results, and attach to program application *Background check expires after 14 days from your payment

Visit Montana Department of Justice Website and click on Records & Permits to obtain my own driving record

  • Cost is $7.25; pay online with eCheck, credit card, or debit card

Print motor vehicle record document and attach to program application

Obtain a Department of Transportation Physical through a DOT Certified Medical Examiner ($60-$150)

Attach Certified Medical Examiner’s proof of DOT Physical to program application
Note: certain medical conditions (e.g., insulin-dependent diabetes) may disqualify applicant, require DOT Medical Waiver, or affect employment outlook.  For more information on DOT physical qualifications read FMCSR 391.41, FMCSR 391.43, and FMCSR 391.64 or discuss with your healthcare provider.

Call the ChemNet Consortium at (800) 597-7103 and pre-pay drug testing & collection fee of $55; you will need a credit card or debit card. Once you have pre-paid your testing and collection fee, visit a local ChemNet partner for sample collection:

  • Dr. David Golie, DC, (406) 375-0800; 105 South 4th Street, Hamilton,
  • Compliance Monitoring, (406) 529-1789; 2809 Great Northern Loop #200, Missoula

Drug screening results are sent to UM Bitterroot; we will notify you of your results.

General Requirements

Current Montana Driver License

Must be at least 18 years of age

Visit the Criminal History Online Public Record Sheet Website and under Public Users click on Start Service

  • Cost is $20.00. Pay online with eCheck, credit card, or debit card

Within 14 days of your payment, print background check results, and attach to program application *Background check expires after 14 days from your payment

Visit Montana Department of Justice Website and click on Records & Permits to obtain my own driving record

  • Cost is $7.25; pay online with eCheck, credit card, or debit card

Print motor vehicle record document and attach to program application

Obtain a Department of Transportation Physical through a DOT Certified Medical Examiner ($60-$150)

Attach Certified Medical Examiner’s proof of DOT Physical to program application
Note: certain medical conditions (e.g., insulin-dependent diabetes) may disqualify applicant, require DOT Medical Waiver, or affect employment outlook.  For more information on DOT physical qualifications read FMCSR 391.41, FMCSR 391.43, and FMCSR 391.64 or discuss with your healthcare provider.

Call the ChemNet Consortium at (800) 597-7103 and pre-pay drug testing & collection fee of $55; you will need a credit card or debit card. Once you have pre-paid your testing and collection fee, visit a local ChemNet partner for sample collection:

  • Dr. David Golie, DC, (406) 375-0800; 105 South 4th Street, Hamilton,
  • Compliance Monitoring, (406) 529-1789; 2809 Great Northern Loop #200, Missoula

Drug screening results are sent to UM Bitterroot; we will notify you of your results.

Apply Today

Call 406-375-0100 or Download an application now! 

Download CDL Class A Application Download CDL Refresher Application Email Questions

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