CDL Pro Driver (NIACC Workforce Academy)

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Almost every part of our lives depends on the work of a truck driver. Fuel. Clothing. Food. And so much more!

Whether you want to be a school bus driver, drive for a local co-op or landscaping company or be an over-the-road truck driver, you need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Be one of more than 200,000 new heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers projected to be in demand each year between now and the year 2030. (source: bls.gov)

Enroll today for a flexible yet comprehensive education ranging from vehicle inspection, basic control of the vehicle and backing, to defensive driving and hazard awareness woven into classroom theory, behind the wheel practice range and road time. NIACC partners with Northland CDL to provide you with a variety of entry level driver training classes and testing, as outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Length: 3 weeks

Mode of Instruction: In person

Entrance Requirements

All students must be able to read, speak, write, and comprehend English. No interpreters are allowed per CDL regulations.

Obtain your Class A Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Go to https://iowadot.gov/mvd/cdl/Commercial-learners-permit for more information.

Provide copies of your Driver’s license and paper permit when requested.

You must hold a valid CLP for at least 14 days before you can complete the required skills test.

Purchase your Certified Iowa Driving Record from the Iowa DOT and provide a copy when requested.

Must be certified 5-year MVR.

You can go to your local DOT station or https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/records

Pass and pay for a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical conducted by a licensed “medical examiner” listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry. If receiving possible free tuition through NIACC, be sure to check with them before paying. Provide copy of medical certification when requested.

Pass and pay for a lab based Department of Transportation (DOT) pre-employment drug and alcohol screening – Do not go until instructed. If receiving possible free tuition through NIACC, be sure to check with them before paying.

Career Opportunities

Truck Driver: This includes driving heavy trucks for long-haul transport, regional transport, or local deliveries.
Bus Driver: Operating buses for public transportation, schools, or private charter services.
Delivery Driver: Driving smaller trucks or vans for package delivery services.
Tanker Truck Driver: Transporting liquids or gases in specialized tanker trucks.
Hazmat (Hazardous Materials) Driver: Transporting hazardous materials that require special handling and certification.
Dump Truck Driver: Operating dump trucks for construction or waste management purposes.
Flatbed Truck Driver: Transporting goods on flatbed trailers, often used for oversized or irregularly shaped cargo.
Tow Truck Operator: Helping to recover and tow vehicles that are broken down or involved in accidents.
Construction Equipment Operator: Operating heavy machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, or cranes on construction sites, often requiring a CDL.
Garbage Truck Driver: Collecting and transporting residential or commercial waste.
Concrete Mixer Truck Driver: Delivering freshly mixed concrete to construction sites.
Livestock Transport Driver: Transporting livestock in specialized trailers.
Logging Truck Driver: Transporting logs and timber from forests to processing facilities.
Ice Road Truck Driver: Driving trucks on frozen lakes or rivers in colder regions, typically in seasonal or specialized conditions.
Food Service Delivery Driver: Transporting food supplies or products to restaurants, grocery stores, or food service providers.

These are just a few examples of the diverse career opportunities available for individuals with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Each type of driving job may have different requirements and specific skills needed, but all require the proper CDL classification and endorsements as necessary.