The Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training is designed to provide a good understanding of the trucking industry. The focus of the training is to provide the knowledge needed for CDL certification. Participants will learn to recognize key situations in truck driving with behind-the-wheel experience. This two-part class is three weeks. Week one provides full-time, in-person classroom theory and weeks two and three consist of Behind-the-Wheel, Range and Skills Training.

Participants will be in class from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday). Participants must be present and punctual throughout the training.

Classroom Theory - Week 1

• Before the driving portion of the course, the student will need to complete the theory training.
• Theory consists of 48 training modules and is roughly 40 hours in length.
• Must receive a satisfactory score on all modules before driving training can begin.

Behind-the-Wheel, and Range & Skills Training - Weeks 2 & 3

• Class enrollment is limited to two students with one trainer for a more personalized experience.
• Much of this training involves being outside. Dress appropriately for the weather. Feet must be protected, no open-toed shoes or sandals, steel-toed shoes are not required.
• If the participant is absent from any of the training session, including medical appointments, work schedule, or other conflicts, there will not be make-up time scheduled for participant absences. They are encouraged to schedule those items around the training schedule.

The CDL training will include:

• Federally required Entry Level Driver Training – certificate will be issued
• Hours of Service and the Log Book – learning the basics of filling out a daily log book
• Vehicle Inspections and the use of Drivers Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR)
• Basic vehicle control – knowing the truck, its controls and putting it in motion
• Shifting theory for manual transmissions – focused on 10-speed transmissions
• Coupling and uncoupling the tractor and trailer
• Exterior vehicle component identification and inspection
• Bumper-to-bumper course work
• Learning to upshift and downshift 10-speed manual transmission, and proper techniques for putting the vehicle into motion and stopping safely. This will be range training, not on the road.
• Vehicle inspections
• Road training for upshifting and downshifting
• Basic control and cornering
• 90-degree alley dock left hand and right hand offset parking
• Straight line backing
• Rural highway driving
• Interstate highway driving including exit and entrance ramps
• Intercity driving

Road Test

• Completion of the course does not mean class participant qualifies for a Commercial Driver’s License. The Commercial Driver’s License is issued by the Department of Transportation upon passing the DOT administered road test. The CDL training class trains students to prepare them for both the North Dakota and Minnesota Class A CDL road test.
• A road test will be typically scheduled in the week following the class but this is not a guaranteed timeframe. Scheduling is based on the availability of DMV staff. Class participants will be allowed to use one of the NDSCS trucks for their road test.
• Your tuition includes two attempts at the road test. All other tests will be at the trainer's discretion and will result in a testing fee that must be paid prior to testing.

ND students will be responsible to pay the $5 road test fee, payable to the DMV, per test attempt.

MN students are not required to pay a fee for the first two attempts but a $20 fee is required on the third attempt at the road test.

Training Cost

• The training cost is $5,825. A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required when registering for the class. The deposit will be applied toward the training cost. The remaining balance of $4,825 needs to be paid in full no later than two weeks before the start of the class. If payment is not made, your registration will be canceled.  If the participant is being funded by an agency, the agency’s authorization for payment must be provided at the time of registration. The entire class cost is nonrefundable once the remainder of $4,825 is collected.  Participants will be responsible for the cost of their DOT physical.

The following items are required for enrollment in the CDL training class:

• A completed CDL training application and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) release form. This link is located in the section below. 
• A copy of a recent Department of Transportation (DOT) physical. The cost of the physical is not included in the cost of the training; the participant is responsible for the cost of their physical. Any provider who is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) can complete the DOT physical.
• A copy of the participants current North Dakota or Minnesota driver's license.
• A copy of the participants current North Dakota or Minnesota Class A driver's permit. Those who do not have a valid permit will need to obtain one before applying for this course.
• Participants who are officially enrolled in the CDL training class will receive authorization paperwork to complete their drug and alcohol test one week prior to the start of class. The cost of this test is included in the cost of the training. If a second test is needed, the student will be responsible for this cost. 
• A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) will be processed for all applicants. 
• A FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Background Check must be complete for all applicants. 

All applicants should fully read, review and understand the information above prior to applying. Once you have completed the application, a TrainND representative will contact you to discuss available class options. 

Application