Class A Truck / Trailer Training

Classes start every week!

Prerequisites: In order to enroll in any of our training programs, students need to be able to pass a USDOT physical, obtain a CDL permit, have a valid drivers license (of any class), and be able to communicate in English.  The  DOT physical is provided the second week of training (if the student already has a valid DOT physical, a second is not required), and an English Comprehension evaluation is provided the day of in person registration. Failure to meet any of these requirements will prevent the student from being able to enroll.

 

ELDT Proficiency Based Tractor Trailer Program

This Program meets the current Federal Training Requirements for drivers that are seeking to obtain their CDL for the first time. 

What this program includes:

  • One-on-One on the road training with a licensed instructors. 
  • On-Line Classroom
  • Pre-Trip Lab-work, typically 40 to 60 Hours 
  • Backing Practice, typically 10 to 30 Hours  (more time available with no charge)
  • Simulator Time, typically 10 to 30 Hours   (more time available with no charge)  Simulator training required for manual transmission program.
  • Retests (if needed)
  • up to 30 hrs BTW (includes Road, Range, and Pre-trip)

Classes start every Monday at 8AM.  You will need to pre-register in person the week before you start your training.  You can register during normal business hours at our main campus in West St. Paul (33 East Wentworth, Suite #120 West St. Paul MN 55118).  

 

Our Professional Tractor Trailer Training Programs are Proficiency Based in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (380 Subpart F)!   Students have the option of training with an automated transmission or using manual transmissions. Students wishing to train in manual transmissions MUST have previous experience with manual transmission vehicles.    

The #1 Goal of this program is your Safety!  Interstate has achieved a perfect safety record since the first day of operation, March 7th, 1998.  We have policies, procedures, and equipment designed to keep all of our students SAFE!

The #2 priority is to help you get your CDL license.  It is important to understand that everyone learns and progresses at a different rate.  We treat all of our students as individuals and we structure the training to meet individual needs. While state rules prohibit us from guaranteeing that you will pass your test, our goal is to train you to develop the proficiency you need to achieve two goals:

You need to be properly prepared for the test.

You need to be able to drive a Big Rig Safely!

This program is Proficiency Based...since everyone learns at a different pace, some drivers need more time than others to prepare for and successfully pass their driving test and learn to drive safely.

We will not push you into taking the CDL test before you are confident and ready!  And we will not delay you from taking the test once you are ready. We have better access to testing services than other truck driving schools in the area. You will have unlimited access to driving activities (backing range, simulator, and pre trip inspection preparation) to ensure you will achieve the success you deserve.

The first two weeks of training students meet from 8AM to 4PM Monday through Friday.   The focus on the first and second week will be on preparing for the Pre-Trip Inspection Test. Training focused on backing will likely start the end of week two. The balance of training is by appointment. Students will progress through the training based on their proficiency. Once you start the program, we will monitor your progress. We can then predict how long it might take you to successfully prepare for and complete the CDL testing.  We want you to complete the program as quickly as you can as long as you are meeting the proficiency requirements. 

Training is completed when the student passes the CDL Road Test and has completed proficiency levels required by Federal Regulations. There are 35 subject matters that must be taught and proficiency demonstrated along with 14 driving skills that must also be taught and proficiency demonstrated. While the FMCSA does not require any number of hours of training,160 hours of training is a minimum required by many of the carriers that hire our students and most of our customers will exceed the 160 hours easily.  Should students need more time on the backing range or driving simulators, there is no extra charge for this additional time.  We feel an obligation to every student to help them succeed and thus we do not put a limit on time they have access to these two activities.  Up to 30 Hours of BTW is provided.  If students need additional BTW, additional charges will apply.

 Automatic Transmission (Program Code ECAA) Call For Price   651-735-9250

You are required to appear in person prior to starting date for an assessment and to receive class materials to allow enrollment. Please call our office at 651-735-9250 to schedule an appointment to meet this requirement. 

Manual Transmission (Program Code ECAM) Call For Price   651-735-9250

You are required to appear in person prior to starting date for an assessment and to receive class materials to allow enrollment. Please call our office at 651-735-9250 to schedule an appointment to meet this requirement. 

 

No Hidden Fees! 

No Cost for Re-Tests*

 

Financing available with Meritize 

 

$500.00 downpayment & loan approval required

Class A Automatic Apply here: https://apply.meritize.com/?pc=18442

Class  A Manual Financing Apply here:  https://apply.meritize.com/?pc=18443

Licensed Class A Driver Refresher Program

Prerequisites: In order to enroll in the Refresher training program, students need to be able to pass a USDOT physical, have a valid Class A CDL license in their possession, and be able to communicate in English.  The DOT physical is provided the second week of training (if the student already has a valid DOT physical, a second is not required), and an English Comprehension evaluation is provided the day of in person registration. Failure to meet any of these requirements will prevent the student from being able to enroll.

It is not uncommon for drivers to take time off from driving commercial vehicles.  When they are away from driving their skills can deteriorate and thus a Refresher Program is appropriate.

Our Refresher Program is customizable for each individual based on their needs.  Prices run from $2995.00 to 4995.00.  Please contact our V.P. of Recruiting, Fred for more information and details at 651-735-9250.

The goal of the Licensed Class A Driver Certification Program is to help drivers that already have a Class A license refresh their driving skills with larger over the road tractors with trailers up to 53'.  

You are required to appear in person prior to starting date for an assessment and to receive class materials to allow enrollment. Please call our office at 651-735-9250 for current pricing and to schedule an appointment to for assessment.  

 

Financing available with Meritize 

$500.00 downpayment & loan approval required

Apply here: https://apply.meritize.com/?pc=18442

More detailed information on Tractor Trailer Training Programs

Our Professional Tractor Trailer Course is your gateway into a great career in the trucking industry. We will help you every step of the way as you learn to properly inspect commercial vehicles, learn to back up trailers proficiently, shift properly, and drive a tractor/trailer rig safely.  You will participate in class, practice your inspections, practice your backing on our range, and drive the tractor/trailer rigs under the guidance of our professional instructors, and spend time on our sophisticated truck driving simulators to prepare for your CDL Road Test. Students with previous experience like growing up on a farm have been able to complete the program in 4 to 6 weeks. Students with no previous experience will continue their training part time from the 5th week on until they are successful. The average student takes 6 to 8 weeks to complete the program and some take as many as 10 to 12 weeks. Bottom line, we are not going to make false claims in order to con you into signing up.  We provide quality training at a fair price and provide every student with our full attention.  

Our program will provide training with the big rigs and city sized Class A vehicles.  Most private schools in Minnesota do NOT provide that level of training.  You will be licensed to drive an 18 Wheeler when you complete our program so it makes absolute sense you should drive an 18 Wheel Tractor Trailer during your training.  You WILL NOT get that from the cheaper schools. 

You will use the next level of simulators and learn how to shift a 10 speed non-synchronized transmission if you are doing the manual transmission program.  You will have the opportunity to spend as much time as needed in the simulators to acquire the motor skills to shift the ten speed transmissions and then you will spend time with our instructors in the big rigs and complete your training.

It is important for every student driver to understand that schools are prohibited by state rules to promise that you will pass your road test. We work with each individual student to provide a lesson plan to help the student succeed.  We will not attempt to deceive you in any way about how quickly you will be able to pass your road test to obtain your Commercial Drivers License. That is why we cannot provide you with predetermined graduation date.  

Once you start your training, your test will be scheduled when you have passed an evaluation by our instructors and are ready to succeed.  If by chance you do not pass your first test, we will not charge you for an additional test as long as you (*) have a perfect attendance record for your training.  You will receive additional training and then test when you feel confident. If you still have trouble with the test, we will continue re-tests until you pass without additional charge as long as you (*)continue your perfect attendance record.

You have the option of taking our Professional Training Program with a manual or automatic transmission.  It is important to understand that taking the program and testing with an automatic transmission will result in a restriction on your CDL license limiting you to automatic transmissions.  The advantage of taking the training with an automatic is the testing process is easier and the success rate of passing the first CDL road test is higher. You will likely compete the training quicker and get to work sooner.  And you will have no problem getting a great job right away at the same pay as anyone else! We recommend the automatic program to most students. Statistics have shown that new drivers are safer  and have fewer accidents using automated trucks compared to the manual transmission trucks. If you are interested in training with a manual transmission, please call our main campus at 651-735-9250 for availability.

Students that complete this program with an automatic transmission can go to work for almost any trucking company in the U.S. We have had students go to work for Halvor Lines, Schneider, TMC, Transport America, Bay & Bay, Fed Ex, Conway, Stevens Transport, Pepsi, Coke, Olson, US Xpress, Reinhart and many more companies after taking this course. Students that have a restriction limiting them to automatic transmissions will have no difficulty finding well paying jobs.

Please contact our office today for a tour of our campus and getting started in the right direction.