Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Most potential students have a lot of questions. If you do not see the question and answer you are seeking below, please fill out the request for info to the right and we will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.
YES! Interstate Truck Driving School is affiliated with Hudson Truck Driving School in Wisconsin and the state of Wisconsin allows students from other states to take their training and testing in WI. Students will not need to change their license to another state. Students will need to obtain a CDL permit from their home state and then Interstate Truck Driving School can train them in Minnesota and Hudson Truck Driving School will train in Wisconsin. Out of state students will need to take their CDL road test in Wisconsin where a fee of $150.00 is charged to the student by the examiner. The students home state is then obligated by Federal Rules to accept the test results from Wisconsin.
You need to get a CDL permit by taking a few written tests at one of the state driver license exam stations. You do not need to have your permit to start training with us but you will need to concentrate on getting the permit as soon as you start training.
To enroll in one of our programs, simply come to our office to fill out some paperwork. You will need to pre-register the week before class starts. You can register over the phone and complete required paperwork via email.
The Class A License allows you to drive trucks of any size and with trailers of any size. The Class B license allows you to drive a truck of any size but you are limited to trailers of less than 10,000 lbs GVW behind a Class B truck.
Yes, but you cannot drive a Class A if you just have a B license.
Yes, we now require the DOT health card for our students.
You do not need a health card to start training but we will provide a DOT physical at our South St. Paul Campus during your second week of training (first week on campus). You can obtain your DOT in advance of starting training. You can schedule your DOT Physical HERE. If you already have a current DOT physical, you do not need a new one.
Yes, Job Placement is provided for students that complete our comprehensive programs that include the Entry Level Driver classroom and training in the larger trucks. We can get you pre-hired before you start your training if you meet the qualifications. You will be able to go to work with a few days of completion of your training.
Yes. If you take a CDL road test with a truck that has an automatic transmission, then your license with have a restriction on it limiting you to CDL vehicles with automatic transmissions. It is because of this restriction that we have invested in several truck driving simulators to teach our students how to properly shift the big trucks.
We are the ONLY private Truck Driving School in Minnesota approved by the Minnesota Approving Agency for VA educational benefits.
Veterans need their DD214 and a Certificate of Eligibility to apply. Please contact our main campus at 651-735-9250 for more information.
We can also work with Vets through Voc Rehab Programs.
Yes, we work with two loan organizations to arrange financing for tuition, Meritize and Climb Credit. You will have to make a $500.00 payment toward your tuition and then the balance can be financed. Several of the trucking companies that we place students with will provide you with 100% tuition reimbursement that will cover your payments. After the reimbursement, the training is FREE!
You can apply with Meritize with these links below.
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Class A Automatic - Meritize Apply
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Class A Manual - Meritize Apply
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Class B - Meritize Apply
To apply with Climb Credit, please visit their website at www.climbcredit.com/interstatedriving.
NO! After you have passed your permit tests (General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combinations for Class A, General Knowledge and Air Brakes for Class B), you are allowed to obtain your permit without having a current DOT Physical. The State of Minnesota requires that drivers fill out a CDL Medical Self Certification Form in order to obtain the permit. If you are 21 years or older, check category 2 on the form, if you are 18 to 20 years old, check category 4 on the form.
The DOT Physical is required in order to complete training with us and we will provide that physical for you on week two of your training (the cost is included with the tuition so there is no extra charge).
If you think you might have problems passing the physical, please call our office at 651-735-9250 to discuss your concerns. For some drivers, it would make sense to take the physical BEFORE they start training to be certain they can pass it. Common issues include high blood pressure and vision limitations. Again, please call if you have concerns. We are here to help.
Here is a link to the MN CDL Medical Self Certification Form.
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/CommercialDri...
State Rules prohibit us from promising you will pass your CDL Road Test. Any organization that makes such a promise is violating those state rules. At Interstate Truck Driving School, we follow the rules!
We are very proud of our pass rates. We track them every week.
On average, approximately 90% of our students pass the Pre-Trip Inspection on their first attempt, 95% pass the Backing Maneuvers on the first attempt, and 89% pass the Road Driving segment of the test on the first attempt. We have these statistics on file and available for you to examine. To the best of our knowledge, our pass rates are at the Top of the Industry!
