Transportation Institute
Welcome to the DMACC Transportation Institute
Trained truck drivers are in extreme high demand and our graduates are finding themselves more valued than ever in this competitive job market. Recruiters from both local and over the road companies visit our facility weekly and many students obtain jobs even before they graduate.
Commercial Vehicle Operator Training Course Information
TRAN 544: CDL Entry Level Driver Training Theory Course
This online course meets FMCSA ELDT standards and requirements and is a prerequisite to the Behind the Wheel driving course. This theory course is 100% online and takes a minimum of 15 hours and a maximum of 30 days to complete. You must complete the online theory course before you can start the Behind the Wheel course.
Cost: $140, Not Refundable
TRAN 545: CDL Behind The Wheel Driving Course Class A
This is a 3 week course where students will be trained with automatic trucks and master the skills and maneuvers on our concourse as well as road driving for a Class A CDL. DMACC is an authorized Iowa DOT 3rd Party testing provider, so upon successful completion of the course, our students will be tested “in house” and able to obtain their CDL quickly.
Cost: $4,360 Tuition + $400.00 Fuel Fee = Total - $4,760
TRAN 547: CDL Behind the Wheel Driving Course Class B
An ELDT Theory class is a prerequisite for enrolling in the Behind the Wheel driving class. This course satisfies all Federal Behind the Wheel curriculum requirements for students seeking a Class B CDL from the Iowa DOT.
You will need to call and get this course scheduled with the Transportation Institute staff when registering. This course is offered on an as-needed basis. The instruction is one-on-one with a CDL instructor for 12 hours of training. The student will also be required to complete DOT testing prior to being licensed and certified.
Cost: $1,500
Behind The Wheel Driving Course Schedule
Daytime classes: 3 weeks to complete, plus testing.
Monday - Thursday 7:30AM - 4:30PM
Friday 7:30AM - 12PM
Night classes: 6 Weeks to complete, plus testing
Monday - Thursday 5PM - 10PM
To view current schedule of classes, click here
**Students must have approved financial assistance or be paying for self (cash, credit card, etc.) in order to get registered**
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be able to read and speak English language sufficiently
- Complete online application for the CDL program here
- Once submitted, you will receive an email with your personal link to upload documents
- Get your CDL Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) from the Iowa DOT
- See "Steps to obtain your Iowa Commercial Learner's Permit" section below for more instructions
- Purchase your Certified Iowa Driving Record from the Iowa DOT
- Must be certified 5-year MVR (must be dated within 3 weeks of submission)
- Go to local DOT station or Iowa DOT website
- Get a DOT approved physical
- See "Physician Information" located in the "Steps to obtain your Iowa Commercial Learner's Permit" section below
- Most grants will pre-pay for this physical. If you are receiving grant funds, be sure to check with them before paying
- Using the link you were emailed after completing application, upload all required
documents:
- Drivers license
- Commercial Learner Permit (both sides)
- Medical Examiners Certificate
- Motor Vehicle Record*
*Disqualifying Factor - 1 major violation in the last year and/or 2 major violations within the last 5 years
- Call the Transportation Institute (515-965-7450) to register and pay for the online
CDL ELDT Theory Course
- If you are grant funded, please contact your grant instead
- Once you have successfully completed the online theory course, upload your completion certificate to your personal link
- Call the Transportation Institute (515-965-7450) to pay and register for the Behind
the Wheel Driving Course.
- This is a first come, first served registration. Students who have all entrance requirements completed and funding secured will be registered as soon as possible.
- Drug test - do not go until instructed
- You will be required to take a drug test prior to the driving course. DMACC PAYS FOR THE DRUG TEST and will instruct you on that process.
- Upload drug test paperwork to your personal link
DOT Physical Information
A DOT physical is a pre-requisite to attending the Commercial Vehicle Truck Driving Course.
Do not take the drug screen until we send you to take it.
- DOT physicals must be from a physician on the FMCSA’s register of certified doctors . The current registry listing can be found on the fmcsa.gov website. You can choose any provider on the registry.
The following clinics are close to our location and have certified providers on the FMCSA registry. Please note the cost is subject to change.
Mid-Iowa Occupational Testing
1300 37th St., West DSM, IA
515-868-0306
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F
Cost: $90.00
Medix Occupational Health
1824 SW White Birch Circle, Ankeny, IA
515-964-9003
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F
Cost: $75.00
Hope Chiropractic
515-868-0202
Cost: New student only $50, bring this paper
Listed below are the physical conditions that the Department of Transportation considers to be disqualifying an individual from being able to obtain a CDL:
- Diabetes requiring insulin for control (Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form and process required for approval).
- High Blood Pressure– Readings of 140/90 or higher are considered borderline by the DOT.
- Respiratory dysfunction that might interfere with safe driving.
- Cardiovascular disease that may interfere with safe driving.
- Rheumatic, arthritic or muscular disease that interferes with the ability to operate a vehicle safely.
- History of epilepsy or seizures requiring the use of medication.
- Mental, nervous or psychiatric disorders that may affect safe driving.
- Visual acuity of 20/40 in each eye with 70% horizontal vision.
- Extensive hearing loss (federal waiver possible).
- Use of certain drugs that may affect safe driving.
- Current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism.
- Impairment or loss of leg, foot, hand or finger that may affect safe driving (federal waiver possible).
Review this website for more details on these regulations.
Persons seeking admission to or attending the College’s Transportation Institute (hereinafter collectively called "students”) shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with State and Federal law under the same conditions and extent specified for employees under Board Policy 3014, except that instead of “pre-employment” testing, students shall be subject to “pre-admission” testing.
Students testing positive shall be terminated from training and will not be considered for future enrollment for a period of one year, after which such students will be required to successfully participate in a substance abuse evaluation at their expense, and if recommended, substance abuse treatment and/or training in addition to submitting to “return to admission” testing.
Students that are logged as a test refusal on the pre-admission testing must not be allowed to conduct safety sensitive duties (e.g. driving)until they successfully participate in a substance abuse evaluation at their expense, and if recommended, substance abuse treatment and/or training in addition to submitting to “return to admission” testing.
Applicability of this policy to students shall not confer upon them the rights of College Employees nor shall it oblige the College to treat students as College Employees for disciplinary treatment or any other purposes.
The Coordinator of the Transportation Institute shall be responsible for the implementation of this policy and to provide such information and notice to students as required by State and Federal regulations.
Adopted: February 12, 1996
Update: August 10, 2017
English Language Learners (ELL)
English Language Learners (ELL) instruction is offered at the non-credit level free of charge. The goal of the program is to provide quality ELL instruction to speakers of other languages so that they can succeed in academic, work, or career programs.
Non-credit ELL courses consist of multi-level English instruction for anyone 18 years or older. The courses move learners from a beginner level to a solid intermediate level of proficiency. The classes cover the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing as well as improving pronunciation and building vocabulary. The primary goal of the course is to teach communicative competence, that is, the ability to communicate in English according to the situation, purpose, and roles of the participants.
The CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System) is used to appraise the students' English reading and listening skills and to place them in the appropriate learning level.
Learn more about English Language Learner (ELL) courses offered at DMACC.
CDL Jumpstart Program
Phone: 515-248-7231
Website: Integrated Education & Training (IET) Jumpstart Programs
Email: Michelle Schott
Cost: Free for qualifying students
DMACC’s Integrated Education & Training (IET) Jumpstart programs helps qualifying students become ready for jobs in certain high-demand industries. Currently DMACC offers a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Jumpstart program.
CDL Jumpstart helps English Language Learners get ready for a career in the trucking industry by preparing for the Commercial Learner’s Permit exam, enhancing job readiness skills, and learning career-specific vocabulary. Upon completion of CDL Jumpstart, students will transition into the DMACC CDL program to receive their Class A or B CDL Certification.
Students who would like to request accommodations or learn more about our disability services accommodations process should contact DMACC's Disability Services team.
Join us for an Information Session at the Transportation Institute
COMMERCIAL LEARNER'S PERMIT
Get on the road
Before taking Behind the Wheel Driving Class, you must obtain an Iowa DOT Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), pass the required tests, and keep your paper permit.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Get on the road
The Transportation Institute offers a self-paced Online CDL Theory Course and a Behind the Wheel Driving Course that includes DOT testing for those who successfully complete training.
HAZMAT & OTHER SERVICES
Your specialized training needs
We offer a variety of supplemental courses to fit your individual needs including a Hazardous Materials Endorsement and RV Safety Training.
CDL JOBS BOARD
Career openings
Looking for your next great opportunity? You've come to the right place! Check out open positions and take the next step in your career today!
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) gives public notice of its policy to uphold and assure full compliance with the non-discrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related Nondiscrimination authorities. Title VI and related Nondiscrimination authorities stipulate that no person in the United States of America shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income level or Limited English Proficiency be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Any person who desires more information regarding DMACC’s Title VI Program can contact its Title VI Coordinator – Sharon Bittner -- at the address noted below.
Any person who believes they have, individually or as a member of any specific class of persons, been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income level or Limited English Proficiency has the right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and submitted within 180 days following the date of the alleged occurrence to:
Sharon Bittner
Des Moines Area Community College
Title VI Program Rights
2006 S Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023
515-964-6857
sgbittner@dmacc.edu