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Professional Truck Driving Program

Western Dakota Technical College is a registered training provider of Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). All classes listed below meet ELDT requirements.

Information on the ELDT and applicable regulations can be found here. Per the FMCSA, individuals issued a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) on or after February 7, 2022 are subject to ELDT regulations. This includes individuals obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time; upgrading an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or obtaining a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.

Below is information pertaining to our Class A CDL, Class B CDL, and School Bus courses. Please note - relevant Commercial Learners Permit is required prior to registration. All Class A training is done in manual 13-speed vehicles. To inquire about automatic training, please contact the Corporate Education Center. 

Class A CDL (Professional Truck Driving)

This 5-week course prepares students for driving over-the-road Class A tractor/trailer combination vehicles and consists of theory and behind-the-wheel instruction. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, basic vehicle operation: safe operating procedures; vehicle systems; vehicle inspection; backing; and vehicle controls.

Accelerated options may be available for individuals with Class A driving experience or those upgrading from a Class B to a Class A. Please call 605-718-2410 or choose "Experienced Driver Training-Class A" on the registration form. An assessment is required prior to registering for the accelerated training. Permit (CLP) is required prior to doing assessment and prior to registering. Assessments are scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Fridays each month. Contact the Corporate Education Center for more details and scheduling.

2024-2025 Schedule  

  • Class A - January 13, 2025
  • Class A - March 3, 2025
  • Class A - April 14, 2025 

- Classes are held Monday - Friday from 7:30 am - 4:00pm. Scheduled to last approximately 5 weeks.

Class A Cost

Class A: $4,500 - Includes tuition, fees, drug screening, training materials, and the driving test. A student can also expect to incur approximately $136 in other costs: DOT physical, written test (permit), and license. Enrollment is limited in this program and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Class A CLP is required prior to registration.

Experienced Driver Training - Class A

Call the Corporate Education Center (605-718-2410) for details on accelerated Class A training and training costs.

A Class A CLP and Assessment is REQUIRED prior to starting the accelerated Class A training. Assessments are scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Fridays each month. Must have some Class A driving experience or have prior or current Class B or above CDL license.

Class B Course

The one-week Automatic transmission course prepares drivers to safely and effectively operate an automatic Class B vehicle. Course consists of both theory and behind-the-wheel instruction.
Manual Class B training is also available. This is a two-week course that prepares drivers to safely and effectively operate a manual Class B vehicle and consists of both theory and behind-the-wheel instruction. Contact the Corporate Education Center for more information.

Class B Trainings - please contact the Corporate Education Center for details (605-718-2410)

Classes are held Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 4:00pm

Class B Costs

Class B Manual: $2,200 - includes tuition, fees, drug screening, training materials, and the driving test. A student can also expect to incur approximately $136 in other costs: DOT physical (if needed by employer), written test (permit), and license. Enrollment is limited in this program and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Class B CLP required prior to registration.
Class B Automatic: $1,500 - includes tuition, fees, training materials and the driving test. A student can also expect to incur approximately $136 in other costs: DOT physical (if needed by employer), written test (permit) and license. Enrollment is limited in this program and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Class B CLP required prior to registration.

School Bus Training*

We now offer school bus training! Our options for school bus training include:

  1. Restricted Class B + School Bus Endorsement (1 week class). Training and testing for this class is all completed in the school bus. Our bus is an automatic with air brakes, so individuals choosing this training option will have an automatic restriction on their license. The cost is $2,000. Individuals are required to obtain their Class B permit with School Bus endorsement (with no air brakes restriction) prior to registration. Training dates scheduled as needed.
  2. School Bus Endorsement (1 day class). This class is for individuals with a current Class A or B CDL who wish to add the school bus endorsement. The cost is $800. Relevant CLP with School Bus endorsement (with no air brakes restriction) required at registration. Training dates scheduled as needed.

All school bus classes prepare drivers to safely and effectively operate a school bus and consist of both theory and behind-the-wheel instruction. Training is compliant with ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) requirements. Day classes are held Monday - Friday from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm.

*Passenger endorsement training also available. Please call 605-718-2410 for details.

Please call the Corporate Education Office at 605-718-2410 to inquire about schedules specific to your school bus or passenger endorsement needs.

Prerequisites
  • Current and valid South Dakota driver’s license
  • SD Class A CL Permit -  CDL Manual (Sections to study: General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicle) for Class A Course
  • SD Class B CL Permit - CDL Manual  (Sections to study: General Knowledge and Air Brakes) for Class B Course
  • PERMIT required at time of registration.
  • Satisfactory driver operating record (no serious traffic violations in the past three years; maximum one speeding ticket in the past year)
  • A current DOT physical card from an authorized physician
  • Negative drug testing results from WDTC's Drug & Alcohol Test Management Program (upon registration, we will give you a date range to schedule testing)
  • $500 non-refundable deposit for Class A, $250 non-refundable deposit for Class B, and School Bus.
  • Remaining tuition balance and paperwork due prior to drop deadline (3 weeks prior to class start date).
  • If tuition and documents are not received by due date (3 weeks prior to class start date), participant will be moved (with notice) to the next available training date.
  • For School Bus: School Bus Endorsement with no air brakes restriction required on CLP
Application Process
  1. Complete registration paperwork with the Corporate Education Center by calling 605-718-2410.
  2. Provide an official copy of a High School transcript or GED scores by emailing corped@wdt.edu. If you graduated from an international high school, you must submit your transcript to Educational Credential Evaluators to determine U.S. equivalence.
  3. Email Immunization Records verifying two doses of MMR vaccinations to corped@wdt.edu.
For More Information

Corporate Education Center
800 Mickelson Dr., Rapid City, SD 57703.
Phone: 605-718-2410
Email: corped@wdt.edu

Job Placement
Western Dakota Technical College does not guarantee job placement of students. However, trucking recruiters are welcome to the school and are encouraged to visit each class. Any information on new listings for truck driver positions is posted in the classroom.

You can also visit CDL Jobs.  They are a job board for trucking jobs and play matchmaker between truck drivers looking for jobs, and trucking companies hiring!

Financial Aid
The Professional Truck Driving Program is a short-term, non-credit program. Therefore, there is limited financial aid available. Contact the Corporate Education Office at 605-718-2410 to discuss funding options.

Funding Options

Graduation

In order to receive a Certificate of Completion from Western Dakota Technical College, students must have a passing score on the ELDT theory and meet the requirements of the ELDT driving training. Satisfactory attendance record and passing the CDL driving exam are also required.

CDL Seminar Other Options
Will customize for a company. This seminar prepares drivers to take the SD written exam for Class A &/or B commercial vehicles. Contains a lecture presentation & sample test examples: general knowledge, air brakes, & combination vehicles. Call for information.

Information on Western Dakota Technical College's discrimination and harassment policies can be found here.

Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. WDTC will not initially enroll students in an academic program leading to professional licensure or certification unless the College has confirmed the program meets all educational requirements of the state where the student is located, per WDTC’s Student Location policy, or intends to work after graduation.

If WDTC has not determined whether the program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state you are located in or intend to work in after graduation, please contact the Vice President for Teaching and Learning for assistance by emailing Tiffany.Howe@wdt.edu or calling 605.718.2905.

As of May 22 , 2024:

  1. The program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
  2. The program curriculum does not meet educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states:
  3. WDTC has not determined whether the program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following states: AK, American Samoa, CA, CT, DC, DE, Guam, ID, LA, MA, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, MD, ME, MI, The Federated States of Micronesia, NH, NJ, The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, NV, The Republic of Palau, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, VA

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