Job Opportunities for new truck drivers is expanding.  

Our staff at Interstate/Hudson Truck Driving Schools is in constant contact with trucking companies that hire new drivers.  The COVID-19 virus obviously reduced the need for new drivers during the second quarter of 2020.  Now that the economy is opening up again, the freight volume is increasing and as a result the trucking companies are offering positions to drivers new to the industry.

DVS open but experiencing long wait times.

This morning one of our students arrived at the South Metro Exam Station at 7:30 AM (30 minutes before the exam station opened) and was 48th in line for access to a permit test.  He was still waiting at noon.  We will keep an eye on the status of permit tests and provide updates as things change. 

DVS locations are open for CDL Permit Testing!

We received reports from a few students today that were successful at taking their CDL Permit Tests.  Even better, everyone we heard from today passed!

Long lines have been reported at every open location.  People are arriving early, before the exam stations open, to get in line. At least the weather forecast for the next few days is agreeable to standing outside in a line.

We recieved word from DVS this morning they have CHANGED their hours for next week.  They are now opening on Tuesday, May 19th at 8AM and not on Monday.

Here are the additional details we have received:

The state exam stations are expected to open this coming Monday, May 18th for permit testing. This is great news. Minnesota's Governor has also announced the Stay at Home order will expire on Monday as well. 

Here are the exam stations that will reopen on Monday at 12:00pm for knowledge testing only.  They will be running limited services, and have a safety plan established for all customers that will need to be adhered to.  Only the following 15 exam stations will be open:

Arden Hills                           Anoka                                   Eagan

There is no progress to report on the closing of the State of Minnesota DVS locations that provide the CDL Permit Testing.  

Three weeks ago we were told by the Minnesota Trucking Association that the Department of Public Safety would be making a CDL Permit Test available online but that has not happened.  We have reached out to the Director of Driver and Vehicle Services, Emma Corrie, asking for an update but she has not replied to our request. We have also been asking our students to reach out to their state Representatives and let them know about the problem. 

Eligible Minnesotans can now apply for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) online while DVS exam stations are closed due to COVID-19.

This service allows our students that have passed their CDL road test in Wisconsin to apply for their Minnesota CDL. 

We have not received any word from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety regarding access to online CDL permit tests.  The Minnesota Trucking Association had put out a press release indicating that would happen but to the best of our knowledge it has not been made available yet.  Stay tuned to this website and we will update as soon as we get more information. 

According to a press release yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division will be providing online access to the CDL Permit process sometime this week.  Check back for further updates as we will update as soon as we learn more.

Governor Walz signed legislation on Wednesday that provides for an avenue for commercial vehicle drivers to obtain their CDL license after passing a CDL road test but not requiring them to appear in person.  Here is the text of the legislation: