Class A CDL training in Minnesota typically costs $3,000 to $8,000, plus a few hundred dollars in fees, but it doesn’t all have to come out of pocket. For those who qualify, WIOA grants can cover most or all of it, and some carriers pay back tuition after hiring. Payment plans, loans, 529 savings, and the new Workforce Pell Grant can help cover the rest. This guide explains each option, who qualifies, and how to combine them.
Key Takeaways
- Local programs can help. CareerForce centers and Twin Cities nonprofits like HIRED and EMERGE offer free or funded training for those who qualify.
- Start funding paperwork early. WIOA approval can take several weeks, so apply before picking a start date.
- Carriers can pay back tuition. Schneider reimburses up to $7,000, and Werner offers tuition payback for qualified drivers.
- Federal aid is opening up. Since July 2026, the Workforce Pell Grant can cover some short-term training programs.
- Plan for fees beyond tuition. A DOT physical, permit, drug test, materials, and license add about $220 to $390.
What CDL Training Costs in Minnesota
Price depends on program length, transmission type, and what tuition includes. Tuition usually covers classroom theory, behind-the-wheel hours, and range practice. Asking for a written list of what’s included shows the full picture before enrolling.
A few costs are often not included in tuition. They add roughly $225 to $390 for a Class A CDL and $220 to $380 for a Class B CDL:
| Cost Item | Typical Range |
| DOT physical exam | $75 to $150 |
| CDL permit fee | About $27 |
| Drug test | $30 to $70 |
| Books or materials | $30 to $75 |
| License fee | $57 (Class B) to $65 (Class A) |
Payment Options at a Glance
| Option | Who It’s For | Cost to the Student |
| WIOA | Low-income, unemployed, or underemployed adults and dislocated workers | None (grant) |
| Dislocated Worker Program | People who were laid off or told they will be | None (grant) |
| Workforce Pell Grant | Students in approved short-term programs at schools eligible for federal aid | None (grant) |
| Carrier tuition reimbursement | New drivers hired by a participating carrier | Paid up front, then paid back by the carrier |
| School payment plan | Students who want to pay tuition over time | Full tuition, split into payments |
| Private loan | Students who need to finance tuition | Tuition plus interest |
| 529 savings | Families with money saved in a 529 plan | Uses existing savings |
Public Funding: WIOA, DEED Programs, and the GI Bill
WIOA Through CareerForce Centers
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) can cover most or all of the cost of CDL training. WIOA can also help with support costs like transportation and childcare. It serves adults 18 and older who are low-income, unemployed, or underemployed, dislocated workers, and some youth ages 14 to 24.
Applicants start at a local CareerForce center, meet with a counselor, and build an employment plan. The school must be on Minnesota’s Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). Approval can take several weeks, so the paperwork should start before picking a start date.
Other State and Nonprofit Programs
Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) also runs the Dislocated Worker Program for people who were laid off or told they will be. It offers counselor-approved training and limited support funds. Washington County residents can also reach CareerForce services through the county’s Community Services Department.
Several Twin Cities nonprofits offer free training help too:
- HIRED: Free career coaching and training.
- EMERGE Community Development: Workforce development, including CDL enrollment.
- American Indian OIC: No-cost career training, open to all.
- Avivo: Career education and job services.
- Global Fatherhood Foundation: Connects people with state and community support.
Carrier Tuition Reimbursement
Some trucking companies pay back CDL school tuition as a hiring benefit. No agreement is needed before training starts. The student pays for school, earns a CDL, and then gets hired. Some students interview with recruiters and get a job offer before they graduate. Once hired, the driver shows proof of paid tuition, and the carrier pays it back in monthly payments while the driver works there.
- Schneider pays back up to $7,000 in tuition, at $200 a month. Drivers must have finished CDL school within the past 12 months.
- Werner offers tuition payback for qualified drivers. Amounts vary, so it’s worth asking a recruiter.
Before enrolling, it’s smart to ask a recruiter whether the carrier’s program accepts graduates of the school. Before accepting a job, drivers should also ask how long the payments last and what happens if they leave early.
Payment Plans, Loans, and Other Options
These options can help cover whatever grants and carrier reimbursement don’t.
- School payment plans split tuition into installments. Some skip the credit check and charge no interest.
- Private loans through a school’s lender partner are repaid with interest. Rates are usually fixed and depend on credit history and other factors.
- 529 savings can pay for CDL training since July 2025. The program must be on an approved list, such as the state’s WIOA training provider list.
- Employer help is worth asking HR about. Warehouses and other companies that hire drivers are good places to start.
Federal Financial Aid
Pell Grants used to require at least 600 clock hours and 15 weeks, which ruled out most CDL programs. Since July 1, 2026, the new Workforce Pell Grant can cover approved programs with 150 to 599 clock hours that run at least 8 but fewer than 15 weeks. The school must be accredited for federal aid, and students apply through the FAFSA. Few CDL programs may be approved yet. Awards are prorated by program length, so they top out around $4,310, not the full $7,395 Pell maximum.
Many students combine payment options, such as partial WIOA funding with a school payment plan.
How Interstate Truck Driving School Helps You Pay
What Tuition Includes
Our Payment Plan
You can pay us directly in three payments:
- $1,000 to start classes
- $2,500 when you’re ready to schedule behind-the-wheel training
- $3,995 at your road test and graduation
That’s $7,495 total, with each payment tied to your progress, not a set number of weeks.
Climb Credit: $500 Down
If you’d rather finance, apply online through Climb Credit. Once approved, you pay $500 down in person when you register at our West St. Paul campus, and Climb Credit finances the rest. See Tuition Financing.
Grants and Workforce Funding
Every workforce and nonprofit program listed above is on our grants list and may help cover your training. Six local employers may also help: Schafer Farms Trucking, RJ Schinner, Olsen Carriers, Danner, Windy Hill Foliage, and Oxygen Service Company. Each decides who qualifies, so you’ll contact them directly. Addresses and phone numbers are on our grants page.
Hiring Partners
We connect graduates with carriers including Werner, Schneider, and DLI, and some students get a job offer before they finish training. Werner and Schneider also pay back tuition, which can cover some or all of your monthly Climb Credit payment once you’re driving.
Get Started
Classes start every Monday, with no waitlist. Call 651-735-9250 to book a registration appointment at our West St. Paul campus the week before you start!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay back WIOA funding?
No. WIOA training funds are grants, not loans.
Can I apply for WIOA before choosing a CDL school?
Yes. Most people start at a CareerForce center first, and the counselor helps confirm an approved school during the process.
What happens to my tuition reimbursement if I leave the carrier early?
The monthly payments usually stop. Terms vary by carrier, so it’s worth getting them in writing before accepting a job.
Do I need my CDL permit before enrolling at ITDS?
No. A permit isn’t required to register, but ITDS recommends earning it by the second week of training to avoid delays.
Do I have to pay again if I need to retake the CDL test?
Usually not. Minnesota’s first two skills test attempts are free, and ITDS offers free re-tests to students with perfect attendance.