Most long-haul and regional trucking jobs require a Class A CDL, the license you need to drive a tractor-trailer. At Interstate Truck Driving School (ITDS) in West St. Paul, you get 160+ hours of Class A training, including up to 20 hours of one-on-one tractor-trailer driving with an instructor. The program prepares you for the Minnesota Class A CDL road test.
| Training hours | 160+ hours recommended |
| One-on-one driving | Up to 20 hours with an instructor |
| Pre-trip inspection lab | 40-60 hours |
| Classroom theory | Online, built to meet FMCSA ELDT standards |
| Schedule | Weeks 1-2: Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. After that: by appointment. |
| Road test | Usually within 7 business days of instructor sign-off |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Practice time | Unlimited backing range and simulator access during training |
| Re-tests | Free with perfect attendance |
| Location | 33 Wentworth Ave, Suite #120, West St. Paul, MN 55118 |
Training time is different for every student. It depends on how often you can train, how quickly your driving skills come together, and when you’re ready for the road test. Federal rules also require you to hold your commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days before you take the road test.
We work with carriers including Werner, Schneider, and DLI, and some students get a job offer before they finish training. Offers depend on each carrier’s hiring requirements. See how job placement works.
Here’s how to enroll.
Finance your tuition through Climb Credit with $500 down and loan approval. Learn more about tuition financing.
Have a Class A CDL but haven’t driven in a while? The refresher program gives you one-on-one time with an instructor on over-the-road tractors and 53-foot trailers, plus simulator practice. Your schedule is based on your current skill level.
You’ll need a valid Class A CDL, a DOT physical, an English comprehension check, and an in-person assessment and materials pickup before you start. Financing through Climb Credit is available.
No. The program starts with the basics, so you only need to meet the enrollment requirements above.
Yes. ITDS is on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s list of licensed truck driver training schools for Class A, B, and C.
Yes. Our free 90-minute Permit Prep Class covers the documents you need, which permit tests to take, and what to study.
An “E” restriction is added when you take your road test in an automatic, and it bars you from driving manual trucks. You train and test in a manual at ITDS, so your CDL won’t have it.
Choose Class A to drive tractor-trailers, which most long-haul jobs require. Choose Class B for straight trucks, box trucks, and dump trucks, and see our Class B CDL program.
Call 651-735-9250 or fill out the form below. We’ll go over the schedule, cost, and financing with you before you enroll. See our hours and directions →