Truck Driving

Truck Driving

Get On the Road to A Great Career!

No other job offers the freedom, stability, and rewards that you'll experience as a driver. And there's no better place to start your training than at Kirkwood Community College, where you can get your commercial driver's license - with a Class B CDL in one week, or a Class A CDL in just weeks through our partnership with Hawkeye Community College!

You can soon be enjoying the many advantages and benefits of employment as a full-time truck driver.

Enroll for Class B CDLLearn About Class A CDL

Kirkwood Community College is accredited by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the course follows the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. Each program covers driving skills, lecture, demonstrations covering U.S. Department of Transportation rules and regulations, preventative maintenance, and current events in the industry.
ELDT Class B CDL
The Class B CDL is a one-week course that includes online theory instruction plus in-person instruction at Kirkwood, which includes pre-trip, backing skills, behind-the-wheel road driving, and testing.

ELDT Class A CDL
The Class A CDL is split into two parts, and students have up to six weeks to complete the course (and can finish in as few as two weeks). The online theory instruction is given through Kirkwood. Once completed, all behind-the-wheel training and testing will occur at Hawkeye Community College's Regional Transportation Center (6433 Hammond Ave., Waterloo, IA.).

Class Times

The Class B CDL program meets at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Monday through Friday from 8am-2:30pm (fall - spring) or Monday through Thursday from 8am-4pm (summer). Classes occur once per month.

The Class A CDL program meets at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Monday through Friday, with available training times of 8am-12pm, 1-5pm, and/or 5-9pm.

Online Learning

Class instruction will consist of online theory which will need to be completed prior to the hands-on training portion of the course. For CDL endorsements (hazmat, school bus, passenger), there is an additional 6 hours of online theory per endorsement.

State Licensing

Class B CDL Testing will occur on site with Kirkwood's own certified 3rd party Iowa Department of Transportation examiner.
Class A CDL Testing will occur on site with Hawkeye's own certified 3rd party Iowa Department of Transportation examiner.
Program equipment is used for testing.

Equipment

Equipment consists of virtual driving simulators and conventional 10-speed manual and automatic trucks to train in the Class A CDL program. The Class B CDL uses a 10-speed manual truck (with no trailer attached) or a passenger bus.

Costs for this program include:

  • Tuition: $1,800 for Class B CDL; $4,995 for Class A CDL
  • Drug Test: $50-$100*
  • Long-form Physical: $80-$150* Click here to download the form.
  • CDL Permit: $12+* (issued at the drivers license station)

 * An estimated cost, price may vary by provider.

Tuition assistance is available depending on eligibility to cover the cost of your program. Click the link below to contact us to see how we can support your career goals.

Request Information

CLASS A CDL NOTICE: If you are planning to pay out of pocket or are sponsored by a company, you must register directly with Hawkeye Community College by calling 319-296-4286. Kirkwood can only process Class A CDL registrations that are through funded tuition assistance programs.

Role, Need, and Importance

The United States relies heavily on the trucking industry and professional drivers to transport nearly everything consumers use. The American Trucking Association estimates 80,000 drivers are needed immediately, increasing to 160,000 by 2030.

And with an ever-increasing number of drivers on today's roadways, it is even more important for these drivers to participate in a high-caliber, state and nationally recognized training regimen like Kirkwood Community College's Truck Driver Training Program.

We are proud to partner with Hawkeye Community College's Regional Transportation Center to provide behind-the-wheel training and Iowa DOT testing for Class A CDL certification.

Applicants for the Class B CDL program must be at least 18 years old. Applicants who are 18-21 years of age are only allowed to drive intrastate (within state lines).

Students must have the following documents obtained and/or completed before attending the course:

  • A Class B Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) from any Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) location at least 14 days prior ot the start date of the class. You will need to pass the general knowledge test and air brakes test.
  • A DOT long-form physical, completed within 10 days of the start date of the class.
  • A DOT pre-employment drug screening, completed within 10 days of the start date of the class
  • Register as a student/trainee on the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearing House. Click the following link to register: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov
  • Eligible applicants who wish to cross state lines with their Class B CDL license must bring a valid medical card.
  • Online theory training must be completed prior to arriving at the first day of your behind-the-wheel training at Kirkwood Community College.

Applicants for the Class A CDL program must be at least 18 years old. Applicants who are 18-21 years of age are only allowed to drive intrastate (within state lines).

Students must have the following documents obtained and/or completed before attending the course:

  • Completion of three Kirkwood eligibility tests, coordinated by a Kirkwood Community College staff member.
  • A Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) from any Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) location at least 14 days prior to the start date of the class. You must pass the general knowledge test, air brakes test, and combination vehicle test.
  • A DOT long-form physical, completed within 10 days of the start date of the class.
  • A DOT pre-employment drug screening, completed within 10 days of the start date of the class.
  • Registering as a student/trainee on the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearing House. Click the following link to register: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov
  • Online theory training must be completed one week prior to the first day of your behind-the-wheel training.*

 

*A copy of your CLP, driver's license, DOT physical, and the results of your drug test must be provided to your instructor on your first day of class at Hawkeye Community College.

Additional Information

Graduates can find employment in a variety of areas including:

  • Truck driver
  • Spotter
  • Shag driver
  • Freight agent


Truck drivers are in demand and the need for drivers is expected to increase over the next several years. 

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Average hourly earnings: $30*
Average Salary in Iowa: $47,214 - $66,332**
*Source: zippia.com, Iowa region
**Source: salary.com and indeed.com, Iowa region, updated 2022

Class B Truck Drivers
Starting hourly earnings: $16.86
Average hourly earnings: $23.98
Source: Career Coach 2020, Kirkwood Community College region.

Find out more about transportation careers and opportunities at: https://explore-transportation.org.

Kirkwood Community College cannot guarantee employment or promotion.

Do you need extra time behind-the-wheel? Our CDL Skills Refresher Program provides in-person, one-on-one truck driving range and road time to better prepare you for your driving goals. Refresher programs are available in either six-hour or 40-hour options.

Consider signing up for this program if you:

  • Already have your Class A/Class B CDL or CLP, but have been out of a truck for some time and need a refresher before a job opportunity
  • Are in need of extra tutoring to help pass a portion of your licensing exam to earn your CDL

 


More Questions?

Email Us


Continuing Education
Kirkwood Community College
319-398-1022
contactce@kirkwood.edu