Truck Driving | Riverland Community College Accredited 2-Year Minnesota School Offering Programs to Southern, MN - Riverland

Truck Driving

New Federal CDL Requirements

New Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations require that all entry-level drivers of commercial motor vehicles receive training from a registered provider. To be
eligible to take required skills or knowledge tests, commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants must have completed applicable entry-level driver training. 

Why choose Truck Driving at Riverland?

The truck driving program at Riverland is a comprehensive program and covers all varieties of CDL required vehicles, including double trailer, commercial bus and snow plow. The instructor for the program keeps current in the transportation industry and provides thorough training and has partnerships with quality companies such as Minnesota Department of Transportation,  and Rochester City Lines who hire our graduates.

What Will I Study?

Our truck driving program prepares students for a career in transportation by providing the following:

  • Rules & regulations within the industry
  • Safe operations of CDL required vehicles
  • Be required to perform a minimum of 44 hours behind the wheel to include 12 hours on the range, 12 hours on the highway, 1 hour of night driving, 6 hours of a loaded trailer with the remainder in any combination
  • Comprehensive understanding of a truck drivers lifestyle
  • View a complete of course offerings
Take a ride with our Truck Driving Instructor

Career Information

Outlook
  • Current Demand: This career is currently in very high demand.
  • Future Demand: This career is seeing high growth compared to other careers.
  • There will be a need for about 47,962 new Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
Typical Work Tasks
  • Follow safety procedures for vehicle operation.
  • Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
  • Inspect cargo areas for cleanliness or condition.
  • Inspect motor vehicles.
  • Monitor cargo area conditions.
  • Read maps to determine routes.
  • Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
  • Operate communications equipment or systems.
  • Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
  • Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
Job Title Examples
  • Line Haul Driver
  • Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver)
  • Delivery Drivers
  • City Driver
  • Feeder Driver
  • Flatbed Truck Driver
  • Owner Operator
  • Pick Up and Delivery Driver (P and D Driver)
  • Road Driver 
Where Do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Work?
  • XPO Logistics
  • Rochester City Lines
  • Norseman Trucking
  • Other transportation companies have hired alumni as professional drivers for their company.

(source: Minnesota State CAREERwise Education)

Internships

Our Truck Driving program offers paid internship of 240 hours.

Partnerships

The truck driving program at Riverland has partnerships with quality companies who hire our graduates. Students have the option to become fully endorsed in all varieties of CDL required transportation (doubles, passenger, tanker, hazmat, etc.)

Dubbels Trucking

Dubbels Trucking, of Randolph, MN, has a growing reputation for delivering on-time logistics services in a safe and professional manner. Since 1994 we have been a leading over-the-road carrier for the Midwest, and more recently for some Southern states as well.

Dubbles Trucks

Foodliner

Foodliner® is the largest Bulk Food Grade carrier in the country and a Transport Topic Top 100 carrier. Our customized transportation system utilizes the latest technology and provides individualized service throughout North America. We have an outstanding on time performance record and have earned the reputation for being a professional organization with a commitment to operating safely. Foodliner offers exciting careers in the transportation industry and opportunities for career growth.

Foodliner Truck

Minnesota Department of Transportation

This snowplow equipment adds depth to a strong truck driving program that offers hands-on and classroom training for careers in the transportation industry. The equipment gives the students in the program additional exposure to equipment used in the field and provides them a greater range of experiences prior to seeking employment.MnDOT, in turn, will work with Riverland to help students learn about careers at MnDOT, as it continues to build a strong and diverse talent pool of employees.

MnDOT Snowplow

Norsemen

Norsemen was founded in 1979, by David E. Steffens with two trucks. Originally based out of Waseca, MN Norsemen expanded its operations to Lake Mills, IA in 1987. Lake Mills is now the Corporate headquarters. In 2002 David sold the company to two of his son’s. David A. Steffens and Jay Steffens. Since then David and Jay have expanded Norsemen Trucking into a complete Logistics Company. David owns and operates Norsemen Trucking and together he and Jay own and operate Norsemen Transportation and Norsemen Specialized.

Norsemen Truck

Albert Lea Bus

At Albert Lea Bus Company, we’re here to help you at every stop along the route. Whether you want school buses or charter services, we have the vehicles and drivers you need. We provide dependable transportation, and we have experienced drivers with outstanding safety records to make sure you arrive safely.

Albert Lea Bus Company is a family-owned, local business with over 30 years of experience. We’re proud to be a part of the Albert Lea Community, and we’ve been faithfully serving customers like you since 1991.

Albert Lea Bus Image

Valley Transportation

Valley Transportation has confidently, proudly put together the most qualified and capable team for each transportation job. With a fleet of nearly 200 trucks on the road and more on the way, Valley Transportation has grown steadily since its inception back in the 1980's.

CEMSTONE

As a family-led business, having a values-oriented, people-focused culture is at the heart of who we are.

After four generations and over 90+ years, the Cemstone name (pronounced using the soft sound of “s” , not the hard sound of “k” ) has become synonymous with high quality products and unparalleled service in the ready mix concrete industry in the Upper Midwest. Our reputation is reflected in the structures we’ve helped create and our long-held and long-practiced commitment to our core values: Demand Safety, Expect Integrity, Drive Excellence, Empower Innovation and Embrace Collaboration.

cemstone truck

Scholarships

The college offers several scholarships for students to help with the cost of their education.

Related Scholarships

Last Updated: August 8, 2018

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