Best Schools in Minneapolis, MN

160 Driving Academy Minneapolis serves the Twin Cities metro from its campus in the south metro suburb of Eagan, Minnesota. The location launched in late 2022 and has quickly become a go-to CDL training option for Minnesota residents who want to stay local — students commute daily and return home each evening rather than staying in an out-of-state residential program. The 4-week, 160-hour curriculum covers 40 hours of classroom theory and 120 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction on local and interstate roads. The Minneapolis campus is FMCSA ELDT-compliant and participates in national employer partnership programs, including an Amazon Career Choice event that helped graduates connect directly with logistics employers in the region. Tuition runs $4,000-$7,000 with employer reimbursement available for qualifying students, and the school reports that a large majority of students qualify for company-sponsored tuition covering all or most of their training costs. Instruction follows a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, giving each student meaningful one-on-one time behind the wheel. Programs available include Class A CDL training, CDL refresher courses, free ELDT theory courses, and hazmat certification. Job placement assistance connects graduates with regional and national carriers for OTR, regional, and local driving positions. Founded in 2012 with 140+ locations nationally, 160 Driving Academy brings a proven curriculum to the Minneapolis market. Ideal for Twin Cities residents looking to enter commercial trucking in under a month without relocating.

Train 4 Less is a truck driver training school that offers Class A and Class B CDL training, as well as Hazardous Materials endorsements. They provide both theory and behind-the-wheel training on public roads and ranges. Train 4 Less aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in commercial driving.

Based on the search results, there appear to be multiple companies named "Mahir Transportation" or similar variations. One is Mahir Transportation LLC, an active interstate freight carrier based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They are authorized to operate under MC1060433 and USDOT 3326109. Another is MAHIR TRANSPORTATION located in Minneapolis, MN, with USDOT 3340303. There is also Mahir Truck Line LLC based in Anoka, Minnesota. Finally, Mahir Logistics LLC is based in Portland, Oregon. Each company seems to operate independently in the freight and transportation sector.

I was unable to find a CDL school under the name K.C.S. However, I did find several CDL schools in the Kansas City area. Apex Technical Institute is a trusted CDL school and technical training provider in Kansas City, helping students start careers in truck driving, warehousing, and logistics. CDL Pros is another trusted and cost-effective CDL training facility in the Kansas City area, offering quality CDL training by informative instructors. Zeta Driving School also offers CDL A training in Kansas City, with multiple schedule options to fit students' needs. These schools provide comprehensive knowledge about driving commercial trucks while ensuring students understand the safety protocols they must follow on the road.

Central MN Truck Academy is a private CDL training school in Royalton, Minnesota (about 100 miles northwest of Minneapolis), owned by Adam J. Kroll. The academy offers both Class A and Class B CDL training with a focus on hands-on, affordable instruction. Programs serve high school students, career changers, and businesses needing fleet driver training. They offer tailored corporate CDL programs built around company schedules, plus specialized straight truck training for local delivery and construction jobs. Located at 8618 200th Ave, Royalton, MN 56373.

The Commercial Driver Academy, part of the Minnesota State system, offers standardized and flexible CDL training to meet the needs of both drivers and employers. The program aims to quickly qualify individuals for high-demand truck driving careers, with training completed in as little as six weeks. The academy collaborates with employers and organizations across Minnesota to provide customized training options, quality courses meeting industry standards, and flexible scheduling. Minnesota faces a shortage of qualified truck drivers, and the Commercial Driver Academy seeks to address this by providing proficient drivers to the workforce.

Titan Trucking School, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is dedicated to training skilled and confident drivers for the trucking industry. Founded on principles of safety, professionalism, and excellence, the school offers comprehensive CDL training programs designed to help students obtain their Class A or Class B licenses in as little as three weeks. The curriculum includes ELDT theory, pre-trip inspections, and essential trucking skills, with hands-on training in diverse road conditions. Titan Trucking School also provides job placement assistance, connecting graduates with reputable employers in the transportation industry.

Mayle Trans is a premier trucking school that offers comprehensive CDL training programs designed to provide students with hands-on experience and expert instruction. They focus on preparing students for successful careers in the trucking industry. The school prides itself on fostering a supportive community with experienced instructors who utilize diverse training styles to meet individual student needs. Mayle Trans distinguishes itself by offering hands-on learning without simulators, ensuring maximum time is spent in and around trucks. They also have Spanish-speaking instructors available.

Hennepin Technical College (HTC), founded in 1972, is a public technical school with two campuses located in the suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota area. HTC focuses on student success and community transformation, adapting its programs to meet the evolving needs of both employers and students. The college offers Associate of Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as diplomas and certificates. HTC provides customized training through partnerships in areas like culinary arts and fire protection.

Minnesota Truck and Trailer School, also known as Class A Leasing, is a CDL truck driving school located in Blaine, Minnesota, serving the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities area. Unlike traditional schools, they specialize in CDL training, equipping individuals with the skills to pass the Class A or Class B CDL road test. They offer personalized ELDT and CDL driver training. The school has a fleet of over 30 truck and trailer combinations, including both manual and automatic transmissions. Class A Leasing has been in business for over 35 years and has trained more than 60,000 drivers. They are licensed by the State of Minnesota, bonded, insured, and ELDT certified. The school provides 160-hour certificates to get your CDL. They offer multiple pricing options to suit different skill levels and budgets and accept the GI Bill® for veteran students. Their vehicles provide wide-open visibility with unobstructed rear and side windows and flatbed equipment. Students can receive an unrestricted Class A or Class B CDL license when they pass their road test in one of their manual trucks. The school also rents trucks and trailers to individuals needing to pass their CDL road test. With multiple locations in Minnesota, including Blaine, Plymouth, and Eagan, Class A Leasing provides accessible training for aspiring commercial drivers. The school emphasizes essential skills such as pre-trip inspections and offers additional practice and retest options to ensure student success.

Interstate Truck Driving School can provide you with the guidance and training you need to succeed.

Commercial Driver Academies offer comprehensive CDL training programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in the trucking industry. These academies provide both classroom instruction and hands-on behind-the-wheel training, ensuring students are well-prepared for the CDL exam and real-world driving scenarios. Many academies also offer job placement assistance, connecting graduates with reputable trucking companies. Programs often include flexible scheduling options, with weekday, weekend, and evening classes available to accommodate various student needs. Some academies also provide refresher courses for experienced drivers looking to update their skills. Financial aid options, such as VA/GI Bill benefits and WIOA funding, may be available to help students finance their education. Student experience is a key focus, with many academies boasting experienced instructors, modern equipment, and a supportive learning environment. Some academies are certified third-party testing sites, allowing students to take their CDL road test with the same experts who trained them. The ultimate goal is to help students achieve their "road to freedom" by launching successful and well-paying careers as commercial truck drivers.

Based in Roseville, MN, Rehoboth Transportation Services LLC (RTS) provides transportation services, focusing on school bus and shuttle services in the Twin Cities metro area. Founded in 2021, RTS is a family-owned and operated business. They offer transportation to and from school, shuttle services for extracurricular activities, field trips, summer camps, family events, weddings, festivals, and corporate outings. RTS operates a fleet of Type C school buses and Type III vans and emphasizes safety through regular maintenance, inspections, and strict safety protocols.

The University of Minnesota Hazardous Materials and Hazwoper Training program provides hands-on training and continuing education for professionals in the field. They offer training for various professionals, including waste site workers, engineers, industrial hygienists, emergency management personnel, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other health and safety professionals. The program is funded in part by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to develop and present model worker training programs. The University of Minnesota is a licensed continuing education provider for hazardous materials training, ensuring all courses meet the OSHA 1910.120 standard for hazardous materials response and remediation. The program offers in-person hazmat and Hazwoper training, custom training at your site or theirs, and community workshops. Courses cover topics such as hazardous waste operations and emergency response, implementation of emergency response plans, classification and identification of unknowns, field survey instruments, response tactics, hazardous materials technology, and decontamination procedures. They also provide training for the shipment of hazardous materials, including dry ice and infectious substances. In addition to general courses, they offer specialized training such as asbestos awareness, hazardous material shipping, and hospital decontamination. The Facilities Management Hazardous Materials Program also provides asbestos training for over 1,000 University employees annually. They provide annual refresher courses to meet OSHA requirements for individuals who have completed the 24- or 40-hour Safety and Health Training.

Compliance Solutions, established in 1995, is a leader in the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) training industry. They focus on imparting knowledge about hazard recognition, risk assessment, and proper safety protocols. Their training equips employees with the tools necessary to identify and mitigate potential dangers in the workplace, with the goal of ensuring all employees come home safely. They offer online courses, instructor-led classroom and virtual sessions, and on-site training. Customer satisfaction is a priority, with a US-based customer service team available to assist with questions and training needs.

The Local 49 Training Center, located just east of Hinckley, Minnesota, is a comprehensive educational program committed to providing the best possible educational opportunities for members of IUOE Local 49. The center focuses on quality training using state-of-the-art equipment and technology. All training is funded by employer/employee contributions. The Local 49 Apprenticeship Program prepares individuals to become highly skilled heavy equipment operators. The 65,000-square-foot facility, opened in 2006, includes ten classrooms, six shop bays, a welding shop, and two wash bays. Local 49's training site resides on approximately 400 acres. The building includes 10 classrooms, 11 offices, a 6-bay machine shop, a 2-bay welding area, a 2-bay wash rack, and a 30,000 square foot indoor, all weather, training area. The training program's staff includes a director, 3 full time office staff, 6 full time instructors, 1 mechanic instructor and 5 part-time seasonal instructors. The training program has 2 CCO certified examiners on site who conduct crane practical tests on a daily basis. Local 49's training mission is to empower the members of the Operating Engineers Local 49 through training and education with the knowledge and technical ability necessary to perform as leaders in their given craft. With a focus on hands-on experience, Local 49 offers a variety of equipment to learn on, splitting time between classroom instruction and practical application. The center trains over 5,000 Local 49 members each year. Apprentices are required to take 144 hours of related training at the Training Center for every 2000 hours of on-the-job-training. A hardship fund is available for Local 49 members experiencing hardship that affects their ability to come to training. For those interested in a career as a heavy equipment operator, Local 49 provides the training and resources needed to succeed. Many members find that the free training and excellent health benefits make it a worthwhile career path. The apprenticeship program is considered the most challenging part of being a 49er, but it leads to high-paying jobs and opportunities for advancement.