Minnesota Truck Driving Schools

Getting started in a trucking career is easier than you think. The biggest hurdle is obtaining your Class A CDL license in order to be licensed to operate an 18-wheeler. Obtaining your CDL license in the state of Minnesota is simple with the help of a truck driving school, and it only takes a few weeks.

There are plenty of trucking schools located across the state of Minnesota. You can find many in major cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnetonka, St. Cloud, Duluth, and Rochester. Most provide Class A CDL licensing options, although you should check to make sure that is currently provided.

The following widget provides sponsored results from a list of partner schools.


The map below displays truck driving schools across Minnesota. Find a few near you and use the table below the map to get the contact information that you need to begin your outreach.

NameAddressPhone
Riverland Community College2200 Riverland Dr, Albert Lea, MN 56007507-379-3300
Pro Trucking77917 209th St, Albert Lea, MN 56007507-377-8838
Bay & Bay Transportation1601 Jefferson St, Alexandria, MN 56308320-762-0221
First Student Inc.650 South St, Anoka, MN 55303763-421-3199
Riverland Community College1900 8th Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912507-433-0600
Mc Farland Truck Lines1304 16th Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912507-437-6651
Palmer Bus Service409 11th St NE, Austin, MN 55912507-433-5358
Riverland community college502 1st St SW, Austin, MN 55912507-433-0600
Stier Trucking Llc809 E Main St, Belle Plaine, MN 56011952-873-6296
Old Dominion Freight Line975 Pacific Ave, Benson, MN 56215320-842-3080
Eggert Farms TruckingBertha, MN 56437320-333-0807
Vocational Rehabilitation Services3372, 1201 89th Ave NE #220, Blaine, MN 55434763-279-4350
Kivi Bros Trucking1741 Radisson Rd NE, Blaine, MN 55449763-233-6300
Central Transport10029 Naples St NE, Blaine, MN 55449586-467-1900
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.8011 34th Ave South, 2 Appletree Square Suite 147, Bloomington, MN 55425800-452-4868
Central Lakes College501 W College Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401218-855-8000
MN-ARNG-Brainerd1115 Wright St, Brainerd, MN 56401406-670-1308
Brooklyn Center Community Schools6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430763-450-3386
Kottke Trucking, Inc211 US-212, Buffalo Lake, MN 55314320-833-5385
YRC12400 Dupont Ave S, Burnsville, MN 55337952-890-7550
Magnum LTL406 South Ave, Carlton, MN 55718218-384-9342
Saint John's University2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN 56321320-363-2011
South Washington County Schools7362 E Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016651-425-6300
Lake Superior College2101 Trinity Rd, Duluth, MN 55811218-733-7600
Lake Superior College - Emergency Response Training Center (ERTC)11501 MN-23, Duluth, MN 55808218-733-1074
ABF Freight210 S 26th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806218-722-7091
YRC Freight4425 W 1st St, Duluth, MN 55807800-610-6500
XPO Logistics4202 W Superior St, Duluth, MN 55807218-726-1897
Kivi Brothers Trucking Inc5739 Old Hwy 61, Duluth, MN 55810218-624-3535
Lakehead Trucking & Excavators6035 Lavaque Rd, Duluth, MN 55803218-721-3521
Lake Superior College - Downtown Duluth Center120 N 2nd Ave W, Duluth, MN 55802218-733-7676
Lake Superior College - Center for Advanced Aviation4960 Airport Rd, Duluth, MN 55811218-733-7700
University of Minnesota Duluth1049 University Dr, Duluth, MN 55812218-726-8000
Vocational Rehabilitation Services1516, 402 W 1st St 2nd floor, Duluth, MN 55802218-302-8400
Express Employment Professionals414 W Superior St #411, Duluth, MN 55802218-624-4416
Rotech115 N 24th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806218-722-2222
Heavy Metal Truck Training3140 Neil Armstrong Blvd #308, Eagan, MN 55121651-528-8994
Bay & Bay Transportation2905 W Service Rd, Eagan, MN 55121800-624-8130
Transport America3303 Terminal Dr #3303, Eagan, MN 55121651-686-2598
ABF Freight2950 Lone Oak Cir, Eagan, MN 55121651-452-1665
XPO Logistics3450 Dodd Rd, Eagan, MN 55123651-686-2868
Northland Community & Technical College2022 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721218-793-2800
Eden Prairie Schools8100 School Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344952-975-7000
C.H. Robinson14800 Charlson Rd #1500, Eden Prairie, MN 55347952-683-5799
Old Dominion Freight Line11 Progress Dr, Esko, MN 55733218-879-2658
Minnesota Coaches5119 212th St W, Farmington, MN 55024651-437-9648
Minnesota State Community and Technical College1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537877-450-3322
Metropolitan Transportation Network Inc.8260 Hickory St NE, Fridley, MN 55432763-571-1541
MainLine Transportation Inc835 Decatur Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427952-935-1990
Valley Transportation Services, Inc.73137 MN-16, Grand Meadow, MN 55936507-754-5558
Itasca Community College1851 US-169, Grand Rapids, MN 55744218-322-2300
Minnesota Coaches Inc101 10th St E Suite 300, Hastings, MN 55033651-437-9648
Minnesota Coaches, Inc. and Hastings Bus Company425 E 31st St, Hastings, MN 55033651-437-1888
Central Transport LLCHastings, MN 55033651-438-5429
Pine Technical College5237 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown, MN 55811218-729-9405
Hibbing Community College1515 E 25th St, Hibbing, MN 55746218-262-7200
Shubat Transportation Company618 W 41st St, Hibbing, MN 55746888-874-8228
Werner Enterprises Inc683 Willoughby Way W, Hopkins, MN 55305952-546-1760
Covenant Transport101 Jefferson Ave S, Hopkins, MN 55343952-933-6608
Ridgewater College2 Century Ave SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350320-234-8500
Rainy River Community College1501 US-71, International Falls, MN 56649218-285-7722
Swift Academy Truck Driving School11380 Courthouse Blvd, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077866-520-2577
160 Driving Academy of Minneapolis11380 Courthouse Blvd, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077952-234-6406
Swift Transportation Truck Driving Academy - Minnesota11380 Courthouse Blvd, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077651-256-5119
Swift Transportation11380 Courthouse Blvd, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077651-554-1400
Halvor Lines11098 Clark Rd, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077651-683-2182
Minnesota Central School Bus11530 Hudson Blvd N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042651-430-3311
Anderson Trucking Services Inc63215 230th St, Litchfield, MN 55355320-693-3948
Raveill TruckingMcGregor, MN 55760218-768-2701
Koch Trucking Inc4200 Dahlberg Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55422800-445-0079
First Student Inc.7225 Winnetka Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428763-533-0313
University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN 55455612-625-5000
Vocational Rehabilitation Services2001 Central Ave NE #4531, Minneapolis, MN 55418612-299-7171
Monarch Bus Service715 Taft St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413651-251-8080
C.H. Robinson800 N Washington Ave Suite 550, Minneapolis, MN 55401612-362-9015
Midwest Transportation Group2718 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408612-354-7479
Roadrunner Freight11385 Xeon St NW, Minneapolis, MN 55448763-767-1325
Thermo King9231 Penn Ave S # 35, Minneapolis, MN 55431952-881-2084
Elite Transportation Systems, Inc.9113 Davenport St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55449763-785-0124
Minnesota Logistics LLC2219 Oakland Ave #215, Minneapolis, MN 55404612-242-8155
Northstar Freight LLC950 County Hwy 10 # 209, Minneapolis, MN 55432763-208-4514
Silver Eagle Trucking6530 Martina Rd, Minnesota City, MN 55959
Richards Transportation Service Inc2139 100th Ave N, Moorhead, MN 56560218-233-3404
Saia LTL Freight2160 Mustang Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112763-784-6215
First Student Inc.4124 Winnetka Ave N, New Hope, MN 55427763-504-8116
J&R Schugel Trucking Inc.2026 N Broadway St, New Ulm, MN 56073800-359-2900
Mayle-Trans Trucking school1680 4th Ave, Newport, MN 55055612-900-3242
Werner Enterprises Drop Yard905 1st St, Newport, MN 55055
Vocational Rehabilitation Services3083, 2586 7th Ave E #203, North St Paul, MN 55109651-539-3600
A+ Driving School504 3rd St SE, Osseo, MN 55369651-653-3959
Riverland Community College965 Alexander Dr SW, Owatonna, MN 55060507-433-0600
Central Transport1500 Park Dr, Owatonna, MN 55060586-467-1900
Minnesota West Community & Technical College1314 N Hiawatha Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164800-658-2330
R and D transportation14021 Azurite St NW, Ramsey, MN 55303763-767-1804
Minnesota State College Southeast, Red Wing Campus308 Pioneer Rd, Red Wing, MN 55066651-385-6300
Rihm Leasing - Red Wing860 Bench St, Red Wing, MN 55066800-363-0321
First Student Inc.714 Bench St, Red Wing, MN 55066651-388-8244
Hawthorne Education Center700 4th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904507-328-4440
Rochester City Delivery3101 40th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901507-289-2774
Heintz Center1926 Collegeview Rd E, Rochester, MN 55904507-280-3169
First Student2021 32nd Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901507-289-4541
C H Robinson Co3428 Lakeridge Pl NW STE 100, Rochester, MN 55901507-289-7253
Rochester Beacon Academy2521 Pennington Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901507-258-5351
Rochester Community and Technical College851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904507-285-7210
First Transit Inc4300 E River Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906507-206-5801
Sunflower Transport LLC1500 1st Ave NE UNIT 209, Rochester, MN 55906507-280-6060
Ar Transportation2743 Knollwood Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Vocational Rehabilitation Services2070 Collegeview Rd E, Rochester, MN 55904507-923-2828
Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence1300 145th St E, Rosemount, MN 55068
Dakota County Technical College1300 145th St E, Rosemount, MN 55068651-423-8300
Olson Carriers Inc15640 Clayton Ave E, Rosemount, MN 55068651-437-6311
Trans Force3101 Old Hwy 8 UNIT 109, Roseville, MN 55113651-582-0411
TransForce, Inc.2301 Woodbridge St #101, Roseville, MN 55113612-517-1553
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.2500 Walnut St, Roseville, MN 55113800-452-4868
Old Dominion Freight Line14543 US-212, Sacred Heart, MN 56285320-765-2312
Old Dominion Freight Line3701 85th Ave NE, Shoreview, MN 55126763-786-6700
Interstate Truck Driving School499 Villaume Ave, South St Paul, MN 55075651-735-9250
Heavy Metal Truck Training499 Villaume Ave, South St Paul, MN 55075651-735-9250
Cobra Transportation Services235 Hardman Ave S, South St Paul, MN 55075651-552-1151
Landstar Ranger Inc1201 Concord St S, South St Paul, MN 55075651-457-1455
Springfield Minnesota Superior Transportation Services & Superior Mobility21 N Cass Ave, Springfield, MN 56087507-723-5018
St. Cloud Technical & Community College1540 Northway Dr, St Cloud, MN 56303800-222-1009
Anderson Trucking Service (ATS)725 Opportunity Dr, St Cloud, MN 56303800-633-8287
ATS East300 74th Street South, St Cloud, MN 56301320-255-7498
SCTCC Customized Training1215 15th St N, St Cloud, MN 56303320-308-5682
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities30 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55101800-456-8519
Minnesota Coaches570 Hardman Ave S, St Paul, MN 55113651-288-9648
Roehl Transport, Inc.200 Hastings Ave, St Paul Park, MN 55071715-591-3795
Northland Community & Tech Clg1101 MN-1, Thief River Falls, MN 56701218-683-8800
CN Two Harbors Docks1 Waterfront Dr, Two Harbors, MN 55616
Pulkrabek Pvt Lndg Field-MN0634538 120th St NW, Warren, MN 56762218-745-5891
Twin City Staffing, LLC1672 S Robert St, West St Paul, MN 55118651-994-4298
Century CollegeNorth, 3300 Century Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110651-779-3300
First Student Inc.2331 Leibel St, White Bear Lake, MN 55110651-407-9080
Shcool3300 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake, MN 55110651-779-3300
Century College3300 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake, MN 55110651-779-3300
CES Minnesota, LLC2400 Trott Ave SW, Willmar, MN 56201701-260-7057
Ridgewater College2101 15th Ave NW, Willmar, MN 56201320-222-5200
Minnesota State College Southeast - Winona Campus1250 Homer Rd, Winona, MN 55987507-453-2700
Winona State University175 W Mark St, Winona, MN 55987507-457-5000
Minnesota West Community & Technical College1450 College Way, Worthington, MN 56187800-658-2330

Choosing a truck driving school

There are generally three types of truck driving schools that offer various levels of CDL training:

  • Paid truck driving schools
  • Company sponsored programs
  • Colleges and trade schools

Paid Truck Driving Schools

These are the standard and most widely used method for achieving a CDL license. These schools take payment upfront and provide the training necessary to achieve a CDL license. The programs can be completed anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months, depending on how often you can take classes. You can also receive training on endorsements so that you can haul different types of goods. The downside of these types of schools is that they are often the most expensive option.

Company Sponsored Programs

As a part of being hired by a trucking company, they will provide training necessary to help you achieve your CDL license. The training is “free” and is a part of being employed with the company. Unfortunately, your base salary will likely be reduced and you will also likely need to sign an employment contract with the company. This impacts the length of time that you will legally be required to work for the company and under any specific requirements. Breaking the contract may result in a financial penalty, in which you would need to pay for the company’s cost of any training that you received. There is also obviously risk of being tied to one specific employer, and you may not receive training on endorsements that would allow you to take on a higher paying job in the future.

Colleges and Trade Schools

Many community colleges and trade schools offer CDL training of various levels. Keep in mind that not all CDL classes are the same, and you will need a Class A CDL license to operate a tractor trailer. Finding available classes at these schools is not always easy, and the level of certification and endorsement options can be limited. For many individuals, these are a great option if you can find a good program with experienced instructors.

Whatever method you choose, be sure to seek out any scholarships or grants that could be applied towards the program. You may find these on the Minnesota Office of Higher Education website.

What do you learn in truck driving school

Instructors will show you how to control and operate a tractor trailer and teach you the rules of the road specific to Minnesota and nationwide.

Learning will be broken down into classroom sessions as well as time in the yard. Classroom time is designed to review all of the knowledge necessary that you will need in the real world, but also to make sure that you are prepared to pass the written section of the CDL test. This will include:

  • How to fill out a logbook
  • Rules of the road
  • Driving in adverse or dangerous conditions
  • Training on any specific endorsements to your CDL license

Yard time is meant to familiarize yourself with an 18 wheeler and practice controlling the tractor trailer in motion. You will begin learning about the fundamentals of the truck, but as the days go on you will be challenged with completing more difficult maneuvers.

  • How to conduct a pre-inspection check of the truck
  • Operator controls
  • Shifting
  • Braking
  • Turning
  • Docking