Commercial Truck Driving — Class A

NWTI’s Commercial Driver Training Program utilizes modern equipment and current curriculum with an online classroom platform to enhance programs. All training performed meets and exceeds industry standards. The program of study utilizes the February 7, 2022 Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) curriculum, and student graduates will have obtained the necessary skills to enter the trucking industry as an entry-level driver.

The Commercial Driver Training program provides each student with the opportunity to gain technical knowledge and driving skills needed to obtain gainful employment in the trucking industry. Students will be prepared to test for the Arkansas Commercial Driver’s License upon completion. Training is composed of classroom, range, and public road driving of commercial motor vehicles; the Class A program is 160 hours long. Beginning February 7, 2022, per the ELDT regulations (49 CFR part 380), entry-level drivers may take required CDL skills tests only if the State can verify that the driver has successfully completed the required training administered by a registered training provider.

NWTI is an FMCSA training provider for Class A and Class B in Theory, BTW-Public Road and BTW-Range, and for Hazardous Materials Theory. Student assessments and training records are submitted to FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, which allows any state to recognize that the training has met all federal requirements for licensing.

The program’s objectives are to produce trained and skilled drivers in accordance with ELDT regulations, ensure compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines and Arkansas State Police regulations, meet industry demands for employment, and promote safe driving habits.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a Commercial Driver’s Permit (Class A or Class B) and a Department of Transportation physical.

Learner’s permit. To get your CDL Class A Learner’s License you must purchase the $50 CDL packet from the DMV and pass the CDL Class A Written Learner’s Permit Exam at the Lowell, Arkansas State Police Testing Site. You must bring in a physical copy of your CDL Learner’s Permit to register for the CDL driving training at NWTI.

DOT physical. You must have an exam by a licensed medical examiner listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) National Registry, and provide a physical copy of your DOT physical to register.

The online CDL test prep (theory) has no prerequisite; behind-the-wheel range and public-road training requires a valid State of Arkansas CDL permit and DOT physical.

Training runs Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm (hours of training may change due to weather conditions). Class A CDL is a 4 weeks program.

Class A start dates 2026: June 8 – July 2; August 17 – September 11; September 21 – October 16; October 26 – November 20.

Class A start dates 2027: January 18 – February 12; February 22 – March 19; March 29 – April 23; May 3 – May 28; June 7 – July 2.

Tuition. The Class A CDL program is $4,000.00, which includes behind-the-wheel range training and behind-the-wheel public road training. Separately, the learner’s permit requires the $50 CDL packet purchased from the DMV.

Financial aid. Students do not qualify for financial aid for this program.

Private loan. The Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan® for Career Training is a student loan for professional training and trade certificate courses at a non-degree granting school. It accrues interest while the student is in school, with three in-school repayment options: interest repayment (monthly interest payments while in school), fixed repayment (a fixed amount every month while in school), and no payment until after school. Full principal and interest payments begin after school attendance ceases.

Student graduates will have obtained the necessary skills to enter the trucking industry as an entry-level driver, and the program provides the technical knowledge and driving skills needed to obtain gainful employment in the trucking industry.

Licensure. Once a student has successfully completed the entire curriculum, the student is eligible to apply for licensure with the Arkansas State Police. Training records are submitted to FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, which allows any state to recognize that the training has met all federal requirements for licensing.

Once registered, you are enrolled in a 15-hour online theory training class that must be completed before the start of the program. Driving training then takes place on the range and on public roads in commercial motor vehicles, covering vehicle inspections, straight-line, alley-dock and off-set backing, parallel parking, coupling and uncoupling, and vehicle control in turns, lane changes, curves at highway speeds and interstate entry and exit.

Training hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm and may change due to weather conditions. Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory completion.