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.

 

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.

• 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

1. Three 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 and is designed for students who would benefit from more behind-the-wheel driving or observation due to limited experience operating vehicles with manual transmissions or backing and towing trailers.
2. Two 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 and is accelerated and ideal for students with experience in towing and backing trailers and driving vehicles with manual transmissions.

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

• 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 in-cab and pre-trip inspection
• Demonstrate an accurate airbrake test
• Demonstrate coupling and uncoupling a combination vehicle
• Demonstrate safe and effective driving skills while on the road
• Demonstrate backing a tractor-trailer through three (4) maneuvers: straight-line, off-set, parallel parking, and alley-dock
• Demonstrate proficiency in the hazardous material theory required by the FMCSA

• Learn more about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
• Stop by your local North Dakota Job Service office
• Visit the ND Job Service Training Opportunities webpage
• Visit North Dakota Career Builders webpage, contact (701) 328-2906
• Contact North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation Human Services (701) 328-8950
• Contact BSC Military Affairs for more information or email them at BSC.VeteranServices@bismarckstate.edu

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!

• 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.

• Basic Introductory and Operational HM Requirements
• Reporting HM Crashes and Releases
• Tunnels and Railroad Highway Grade Crossing Requirements
• Loading and Unloading HM
• HM on Passenger Vehicles
• Bulk Packages
• Operating Emergency Equipment
• Emergency Response Procedures
• Engine Fueling
• Tire Check
• Routes and Route Planning
• HM Safety Permits

Commercial Driver Training DONE RIGHT.