Commercial Driving (CDL) | Bismarck State College

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Commercial Driving (CDL)

What is a Class A CDL?

Colorfully-wrapped CDL semi-trailer with program director and instructor standing in front, smiling

 

A Class A Commercial Driver’s License is required to operate any commercial motor vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds. Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) requires a higher level of safety, knowledge, experience, skills, and physical abilities than that required to drive a non-commercial vehicle. In order to obtain a Class A License or upgrade from a Class B to a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), an applicant must attend and complete a Federal Motor Carriers Safety Association Certified Training Program with a grade of 80% or higher and finally, pass the NDDOT road test geared to these higher standards. This course meets the requirements for both Entry Level Driver Training and Hazardous Material Endorsement Theory set by the FMCSA.

 
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Info Sheet
   


Students will have the opportunity to learn from an experienced instructor both in the classroom and behind the wheel. Students will learn key commercial driving skills with hours of driving practice over the road, on the backing range, and in various driving conditions.

With Bismarck State College's Commercial Driving Course, you will gain the knowledge and technical skills needed to obtain your Class A CDL and to assist you in securing a job in the booming, trucking industry.

Prerequisites and/or Requirements

The following is required for course registration and to operate a commercial motor vehicle:
 
  • Must be at least 18 years old, however, the required age for operating with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) outside of state lines is 21 years of age
  • Be able to read, write, and speak English well enough to speak with the public, understand highway traffic, signs, and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records
  • Current Driver’s License
  • Medical Examiner’s Certificate from a Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical within 24 months prior to the course start date and includes the CLP/CDL designation
  • Current Class A Commercial Learner’s Permit through the State of North Dakota (passing of the general knowledge, airbrake and combination tests)
  • DOT Drug screen dated within ten (10) business days of the course start date
  • Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) for each state of residency in the last two (2) years

Length of Program

Bismarck State College/TrainND is currently offering 2 separate classes:
 
  1. Year-round (3 week) course consists of 40 hours of classroom theory to include quizzes, exams, paper/electronic logging, pre-trip inspection, air-brakes test, and simulator training in addition to 80 hours of behind-the-wheel training to include driving, backing, hooking/unhooking. This class has a 4:1 student/instructor ratio for optimal learning experience.
  2. Summer (2 week) course consists of 40 hours of classroom theory to include quizzes, exams, paper/electronic logging, pre-trip inspection, air-brakes test, and simulator training in addition to 40 hours of behind-the-wheel training to include driving, backing, hooking/unhooking. This class has a 2:1 student/instructor ratio for optimal learning experience.
 
Course attendance is an essential part of the educational process of this training and is mandatory. Missed classroom and/or behind-the-wheel time by the student as part of the TrainND Southwest Commercial Driving (CDL) course for any reason, may result in:
 
  1. Additional fees and separate scheduled time for make-up time should completion of the course be desired, or
  2. Unsuccessful completion of the course

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
  • Identify agencies responsible for the rules and regulations of the trucking industry
  • Understand hours-of-service requirements and the importance of the trucking industry
  • Understand the importance of defensive driving, hazard management and reduction
  • Conduct an accurate and efficient pre-trip inspection
  • Demonstrate coupling and uncoupling a combination vehicle
  • Demonstrate safe and effective driving skills while on the road
  • Demonstrate backing a tractor-trailer through three (3) maneuvers: straight-line, off-set, and alley-dock
  • Demonstrate an accurate airbrake test
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the hazardous material theory required by the FMCSA

Exams/Certifications

Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to take the NDDOT CDL State Drive Test and obtain a Hazardous Material Endorsement by taking the NDDOT Hazmat Knowledge Test.

Career Investment

Tuition includes all classroom materials, truck use, drug screen, MVR, and scheduling of ND State Road Test. $5795
  • Proof of Commercial Learners Permit and a non-refundable deposit of $300 is required to reserve a seat. Remaining tuition balance is due ten (10) business days before course starts.  
This course is approved for funding from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), ND Career Builders Scholarship, and Vocational Rehabilitation. WIOA funding is designed to provide training for unemployment and some underemployed individuals to gain in-demand career skills. ND Career Builders is a tool for business to grow their workforce in high-need areas. Vocational Rehabilitation funding will provide training and employment services to individuals with disabilities so they can become and remain employed. To inquire about eligibility, utilize the following resources:

CDL: Hazardous Material Endorsement


This course is four (4) hours in length, delivered online, and meets the FMCSA requirements for Hazardous Material Endorsement Theory. Our CDL Instructor and program manager will be available to answer questions by email and phone. Upon successful completion of all training modules and an 80% or better on assessments, students will be eligible to take the ND State Hazmat Knowledge Test at the ND Department of Transportation (ND DOT).
 

Register Now!

NDDOT Prerequisites and/or Testing Requirements

Class A Commercial Driver's License holders must complete the following requirements before scheduling the hazardous material knowledge test at the ND Department of Transportation (ND DOT):  
  • Initiate the federal security threat assessment, this process can take 30-45 days
  • Complete Hazardous Material Endorsement Training and pass the assessment with a score of at least 80 percent
  • Schedule the hazardous material knowledge test at the ND DOT.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will gain knowledge on:
  • General Hazardous Materials Awareness Training
  • Hazardous Materials Highway Transportation
  • Hazardous Materials Labeling
  • Loading/Unloading and Load Segregation of Hazardous Materials
  • Placarding
  • Reporting Hazardous Materials Crashes, Releases, and Incidents
  • Hazardous Materials Safety Training, including Safety Permits
  • Security Awareness Training
  • Hazardous Materials Shipping Papers
  • The Hazardous Materials Table.

Course Investment

Course fee payable to BSC CE upon registration, $300
 
This course is approved for funding from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and Vocational Rehabilitation. WIOA funding is designed to provide training for unemployment and some underemployed individuals to gain in-demand career skills. Vocational Rehabilitation funding will provide training and employment services to individuals with disabilities so they can become and remain employed. To inquire about eligibility, utilize the following resources:

 

Commercial Driver Training DONE RIGHT.