Student and Employer FAQs
Student FAQ
Theory Course - $140
Behind the Wheel Course - $4,760 Tuition
Total - $4,900
You will be required to pay in full at the time of registration for each of the courses. View more information about financial assistance options.
Yes. You may qualify for financial assistance and not all funding is dependent on household income. If you would like to learn more about funding options, please review the information packet.
No. If you only need one of the courses, you can enroll in just one. FMCSA does not require an individual to take both courses with the same organization. However, if you would like to enroll in DMACC’s BTW course, a theory course is required to be completed first. Both courses must be completed before you are able to be issued a CDL.
On the Iowa DOT website, obtain an appointment to test for your permit at the Iowa DOT.
For Class A, you must pass three tests 80% or higher (General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Combination tests). Class B would take two tests (General Knowledge and Airbrakes). You will receive a paper copy. Keep this copy, never discard the paper CLP.
Note: Iowa CLPs are valid for one year from date of issuance.
The DOT physical must be completed by a FMCSA certified physician. Please review the information packet for a list of certified physicians.
- Driver's License
- Commercial Learners Permit
- Medical Card from DOT Physical
- Certified Motor Vehicle Record* (must be dated within 3 weeks of submission)
*Disqualifying Factor - 1 major violation in the last year and/or 2 major violations within the last 5 years
No. A drug test is only required for the Behind the Wheel driving course, not the online theory course. DMACC will contact you prior to your start date with additional information on completing your drug test. Only a DMACC approved drug test will be accepted.
DMACC’s program trains students primarily on automatic trucks, both day cabs and sleeper cabs.
Employer FAQ
The DMACC Transportation Institute welcomes and encourages potential employers to visit specific times. Please coordinate by emailing cdlprograms@dmacc.edu with potential dates and if your company will be providing lunch for the students. Only one employer will be scheduled at a time so that you will have the maximum focus while speaking to the students.
The DMACC Transportation Institute welcomes and encourages potential employers to post job opportunities for our students to take advantage of during and after completion of the CDL Driving Program.
Please see the following link for options: DMACC Truck Driving Job Board
Contact cdlprograms@dmacc.edu for assistance in Employer-Sponsored enrollment.
Our system is not set up to be able to hold spots for students in upcoming classes. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis once the student has completed all pre-requisites (uploaded forms and completion of the ELDT course). Encourage your employee(s) to complete their pre-requisites quickly to secure a seat in the next open Behind the Wheel course.
Before applying to the CDL program the student will need the following documents:
- Drivers license
- Commercial Learner Permit (both sides)
- Medical Examiners Certificate (DOT Physical)
- Motor Vehicle Record (within 3 weeks of the application date)
They will need to read the Entrance Requirements and the Information Packet.
Once the student applies the program is divided into two parts. The first is the Entry Level Driver Training Theory class which is online and self-paced. The student will have 30 days from registration to complete the online training. The second part is the Behind the Wheel portion and is 3 weeks long followed by the DOT Exam.
Due to regulations and Privacy Act information, you will have to have clear communication with your employee as we cannot disclose any information as the student is going through the training program.
Due to regulations and Privacy Act information, you will have to have clear communication with your employee as we cannot disclose any information as the student is going through the training program.
YES, DMACC handles the drug screening and will have the student report to a facility the week before they attend class. There is no payment required as it is part of the registration costs for the skills portion.
Please contact cdlprograms@dmacc.edu to see if there are any upcoming classes or options.