M State and Perham-Dent school district implement CDL training program for high school seniors

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – M State and the Perham-Dent School District announced they are launching a first-in-the-region CDL Training program that aims to graduate seniors with a Class A Commercial Driver’s License already in hand.

In a Dec. 20 news release, M State said 10 Perham seniors are already enrolled in the course and a group of juniors have said they intend to enroll next year.

The Road To CDL training program is available through the high school work-based learning program and is open to students age 17 and older. Students must also be at least 18 to take the commercial driver’s learners permit tests.

G.L. Tucker, executive director of M State’s Workforce Development Division, said, quote: “CDL licensure has been a hot topic for a while, as every zip code in America is short on CDL drivers, M State has been talking to high schools since last spring. Perham is the first to implement it, but other area schools have also expressed interest. We’re one of the largest CDL training providers in the region … we’re well positioned to partner on a program like this.”

Student will begin the course with a CDL Theory class and a daily one-hour elective with online lessons and quizzes. Those who pass the theory portion will be allowed to take the state-required commercial learner’s permit test. For those who pass, 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training are also required before students are able to take their final road tests.

Darren Glynn, work-based learning coordinator for Perham High School, said he told the students “There is zero chance [they] will not have jobs when they graduate.”