Truck Training

 

 

 

If you are looking to drive one of the big rigs then our comprehensive programs will help you get ready for the open road.  We have several different programs to meet the different needs of our customers.  Please visit our office if you need help to determine which program is best for you.

The on-site programs include classroom and behind the wheel instruction and taken concurrently.

The classroom sessions are held Monday thru Friday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The air brake class is also held on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 and Wednesday mornings from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Phase 1 of these programs will focus on preparing you for and passing the CDL road test.  The intent of the Professional Tractor Trailer Program is to prepare you for a career driving a Big Rig for a major carrier.  These trucking companies expect you to be proficient with multi speed transmissions.  For this program you will spend all of your training with trucks that have a manual transmission.

After you have passed your road test, you will start Phase 2 of the training where you will learn how to drive the big trucks in the real world.  You will progress at your own pace and move up to larger equipment when you feel comfortable with taking another step up.  The training in the trucks is by appointment.

The length of time to complete your training will depend on how much time you have available during the week and if you pass your first attempt at the CDL road test.  Most of our comprehensive program students pass their first test but if you fail your first attempt, we will give you another opportunity for another test whenever you feel ready.  The state will make you wait one week to take a second road test and if you fail again they will require you to wait two more weeks before you can take a third test. Once you have passed your test we will finish your training as quickly as your schedule allows based on the availability of our instructors.

The On-Line 160 hour course is designed to allow students to complete 100 hours of course work via the Internet remotely prior to taking the 60 hours of practical training.  Students are allowed 30 days to complete the On-Line course work, extensions may be granted for an additional charge.  The 60 hours of practical training can be completed in 10 to 16 days depending on a students schedule and previous experience.

This is our best training program!

Students that complete this program can go to work for almost any trucking company in the U.S. We have had students go to work for Warner, TMC, England, Transport America, Roehl, Schneider, Bay & Bay, Gainey, Dart, Fed Ex, Pepsi, Coke, and many more companies after taking this course.

 160 Hour Course: The goal of the Professional Tractor Trailer Program is to help new drivers obtain their Class A Commercial Drivers License and then go on to learn to drive larger over the road tractors with manual transmissions and trailers up to 53’.  The program includes DOT physical, DOT drug screen, 30 hours training on our driving range, 30 hours one on one instruction in a Class A Truck/Trailer (includes CDL road test), 40 hours of observation or simulator time, and 100 hours of course work that includes the Entry Level Driver classroom instruction required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This program is appropriate for individuals that have not driven tractor trailer rigs.  This would be a good program for drivers going to work for companies that expect new drivers to be able to drive independently after a short orientation period. You will drive trucks with 6 speed manual, 7 speed manual, 9 speed manual,  and 10 speed manual transmissions during this program. This program can be completed in 3 to 4 weeks. Most students average 5 to 6 weeks to complete.  If you are not able to attend full time we can work out a lesson plan to fit your schedule and you can take up to 90 days to complete the training.  This program is WIA approved.  We have a 100% placement rate with this program!!!!!!

• This program is provided in two phases.  In phase one, students will take 100 hours of course work via the Internet or at our locations.  The course work includes all of the classroom experience, text study, and computer based training.  Students can view live streaming of the classroom (8:00am to 12:00pm Monday thru Friday Central Time) or view the classroom in taped format on the E Learning system.  Students may enhance their learning by taking additional course work and reviewing completed work beyond the required 100 hours without any additional charge as long as their work is completed within 30 days of starting the program.  An extension of 30 days is available for a charge of $190.00.
• Phase Two (Practical Training) begins after students have completed Phase One.  Students will need to complete a DOT Physical and DOT drug test at their own expense prior to scheduling the practical training.  Phase Two will simultaneously provide training to prepare students for the state administered (Minnesota or Wisconsin) CDL road test and teach students to handle the bigger over the road rigs.  The training will consist of 30 hours of range driving, 30 hours on on the road driving with an instructor providing one-on-one training.
  Students will need to make a payment of $2185.00 to begin Phase One of the program.  When Phase One is completed, students will need to make a payment of $2,000.00 to schedule the practical training. We have low cost housing available at both our South St. Paul and St. Cloud locations.  Students from out of the area will be scheduled as proficiently as possible in order to minimize their housing expense. Students that are not a resident of Minnesota or Wisconsin will need to transfer their license to Minnesota or Wisconsin in order to take the CDL road test to obtain their license.  After the training is completed the student may transfer the Minnesota or Wisconsin CDL back to what ever state they then reside in.   This program has all of the same elements of the 160 Hour Professional Tractor Trailer Program with the convenience of allowing students to complete the course work from any where via the Internet.

Prerequisites: Class D or higher  grade license, must be able to pass a Class A CDL permit test, USDOT physical exam and drug screen. Per FMCSA 381.11.2, must be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries and to make entries on reports and records.

 

This program is great as a refresher for former drivers that have not been driving for a while.

The goal of the Basic Tractor Trailer Program is to help licensed drivers that have their Class A Commercial Driver’s License but do not have current experience.   The program includes DOT drug screen, 12 hours of practice on our driving range, 10 hours training in the larger truck/trailer combinations (includes the CDL road test), 38 hours of classroom instruction that includes the Entry Level Driver classroom required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  The program  is adequate for drivers that already have a job lined up when their new employer will provide them with the additional training necessary to learn how to drive safely on their own.  Trucks with automatic, 6 speed manual, and 7 speed and 9 speed  manual transmissions are available during this program. This program can be completed in two weeks and is

WIA Approved.

Prerequisites: Class D or higher  grade license, Class-A Permit with air brakes, and must be able to pass a DOT Drug Screen.

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The goal of the Intermediate Tractor Trailer Program is to help drivers  with some experience obtain their Class A Commercial Drivers License and then go on to learn to drive larger over the road tractors with manual transmissions and trailers up to 48’ with a program priced as low as possible that still meets the 160 hour training threshold. The program includes, DOT drug screen, 20 hours practice on our driving range, 15 hours training in the larger truck/trailer combinations, 40 hours of classroom that includes the Entry Level Driver classroom instruction required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and additional computer based training and observation time to complete the 160 hours required. This program is appropriate for individuals that have some  kind of previous experience and are going to work for companies that provide new drivers a mentor to master their driving skills.  Trucks with automatic, 6 speed manual, 7 speed manual, 9 speed manual, and 10 speed manual transmissions are available during this program. This program can be completed in 3 weeks. This program does not include a CDL Road Test.

 

Prerequisites: Class D or higher  grade license, must be able to pass a Class A CDL permit test, USDOT physical exam and drug screen. Per FMCSA 381.11.2, must be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries and to make entries on reports and records.