Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Training Courses

There is a vital need for truck drivers in the United States, as 68 percent of all products are transported via truck.  According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), overall freight tonnage will grow more than 25 percent by 2030 to 20.6 billion tons, with revenues increasing 53.8 percent to $1.6 trillion.  Trucking will remain the dominant freight mode, hauling 68.8 percent of the total freight tonnage in 2030.

Most truckers, during their first year on the road, earn an average of $35,000 a year.  After a few years of experience, they can earn average annual salaries between $45,000-$50,000.  Experienced drivers who own their own trucks earn average salaries of $100,000 and beyond.

FVCC offers two main options in commercial driver’s license training.

Tuition and total costs are estimates based on students who qualify for in-district rates. This estimate is based on 2021-2022 tuition and is subject to change for the 2022-2023 academic year. 

CDL Professional Truck Driver Class:

Course	Title	Length	Tuition (Flathead and Lincoln County Residents)	Equipment Fees	Esitmated Total Cost
HEO 103	Professional Truck Driver	8 weeks approximately	$874.75	$2,100.00	$3,027.25

The course includes class “A” CDL, 40 hours of drive-time, plus the following endorsements:

• School Bus
• Passenger Endorsement

 

In addition, students can earn an endorsement in the following area through advanced study on their own. (Talk with your instructor for more information in obtaining the additional endorsements.): 

• HazMat training for hauling hazardous materials
• Double trailers
• Triple trailers
• Tanker

Additional CDL Classes:

Additional classes are offered based on available space.

Class	Title	Approximate Length	Tuition (Flathead and Lincoln County Residents)	Equipment Fees	Estimated Total Cost
HEO 101	Commercial Driver’s License-Bus (Class B CDL)	3 weeks	$556.35	$960.00	$1,516.35
HEO 102	Commercial Truck Driver B to A Transition	4 weeks	$370.90	$1,600	$1,970.90
HEO 181	Commercial Truck Driver A to Bus Transition	2 week	$185.95	$410.00	$595.95

 

Steps to Obtain a CDL

Meet Prerequisites.

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must hold a current Montana driver’s license
• Must present a birth certificate or passport
• Must have proof of in-state residence
• Cannot have any DUI’s in the past five years

Apply to FVCC as a non-degree student.

• It’s free to apply and does not obligate you to attend.
• https://www.fvcc.edu/apply/    

Register for HEO 103.

Pick up a CDL packet at the Occupational Trades Building main office - OT 110. 

• This will have the necessary paperwork and forms for your physical and drug test.

Schedule a D.O.T. Physical.

• Make an appointment for your Dept. of Transportation (D.O.T.) physical at the FVCC Student Health Clinic
• Phone: (406) 756-4331

Pay at least half the total cost for the program at the Business Office.

• $200 will be non-refundable for the cost of the physical and drug test.
• You can pay with a card by calling (406) 756-3831.

Complete a Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) Physical Exam.

• Read and fill out the paperwork before your appointment.
• Bring your receipt of payment to your appointment with the FVCC Student Health Clinic which is located in the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center in room 136.

Pass a drug test.

• After your physical, you will receive a drug test kit.
• Take the kit directly to Valley Medical at 2425 US HWY 2 East, Evergreen for the drug test.