Truck Training

Rookie Class A Program

Many of our customers come to us looking for a program that will assist them to learn the basic skills necessary to pass the Class A CDL road test.  You must be able to back up a truck/trailer combination accurately using the mirrors in order to pass the Minnesota Class A CDL truck driving test.  The “Rookie Class A Program” is designed to help drivers that do not have any previous experience backing up trailers and want to learn only what is necessary to pass the test.

The Rookie Program is a 50 hour course. Students practice their backing skills with a truck/trailer combination on our driving range located at our facility in South St. Paul or St. Cloud for up to 20 hours.  Students will need to master straight backing with mirrors only (a distance of 140 feet within a 12’ wide lane), off set backing maneuver and the alley dock maneuver within a five minute time limit for each maneuver.  The student then receives 6 hours of personal one-on-one instruction in a Class A vehicle followed by the state road test.  The program includes the DOT drug screen and our Comprehensive Pre-Trip Inspection Class at our South St. Paul office. The total cost is $1295.00 when pre-paid.

Most students start the program with two hours of backing practice each day and take two weeks to complete the training and road test. The two hour per day schedule is recommended since the practice and training is rather intense and most people are better off with a short training periods.

This program is appropriate for drivers that need a Class A license to drive smaller combinations in industries such as landscaping and lawn-care.  The program is also appropriate for drivers that are not willing to make a commitment to a comprehensive program until have they have the opportunity to assess their aptitude for driving combination vehicles.  Students that have successfully completed the Rookie Program are eligible to step up to a comprehensive program and their initial hours of training will count toward completion of any of the longer programs.