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Daytime classes available
What Makes the Professional Truck Driving Program at MTI Different?
Hands-On Focused
Receive on-the-road and behind-the-wheel training in real trucks
Accelerated Training
Earn your professional truck driving certificate in as few as 20 weeks
Experienced Instructors
All MTI truck driving instructors have real-world driving experience
Daytime Classes Available
Flexible class times that work for your busy schedule
Employment Preparation
No general education courses required, students will learn the skills required for entry-level employment
Career Placement
Career counseling & placement assistance is available to all qualified graduates
Professional Truck Driving at Midwest Technical Institute
MTI is recognized by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) as an approved ELDT (Entry Level Driver Training) provider. MTI offers a truck driving school in Illinois and a truck driving school in Missouri. Each location offers two truck driving training options: 1) CDL Training Course and 2) Professional Truck Driving Program. The CDL Training Course takes less than 30 days to complete and is designed to prepare you to pass the licensing exam and obtain a Class A CDL license in the issuing state.
If you’re interested in more extensive training, the Professional Truck Driving Program could be the right choice for you. In less than six months, you will complete a combination of classroom and behind-the-wheel training, including on-the-range and over-the-road on rural highways, interstates, and urban areas—all under the observation of an MTI instructor with a CDL.
HANDS-ON TRUCK DRIVING CLASSES
As a student of MTI’s Professional Truck Driving Program, you’ll be prepared to take the CDL permit exam within the first week of class; this allows you to drive while accompanied by a CDL instructor.
In addition to permit training, you will also learn:
- Basic Operations, Safe Operating Procedures & Advanced Operating Practices
- Vehicle Systems & Reporting Malfunctions
- Non-Driving Activities (for example, handling & documenting cargo, trip planning, fatigue & wellness awareness, and more.)
The program also covers additional endorsements & training for:
Hazardous Material | Doubles/Triples | Tanker | Forklift
Your behind-the-wheel training includes range, over-the-road, remedial, and observation training to teach you the following skills:
- Vehicle Inspection (Pre-Trip/Enroute/Post-Trip)
- Straight Line, Off-Set, and Alley Dock Backing (45/90 degree)
- Parallel Parking (Blind Side & Sight Side)
- Coupling and Uncoupling
- Vehicle Controls (including left turns, right turns, land changes, curves at highway speeds, and entry and exit on the interstate or controlled access highway)
- Shifting/Transmission
- Safe Driver Behavior
- & More!
The instructors at MTI all have real-world experience as truck drivers, and will provide you hands-on truck driving instruction and one-on-one interaction to help you develop the skills you need to start a truck driving career.
Ready to Learn More?
Ready to learn more about MTI’s hands-on training programs? Give us a call or fill out the form to get more information.
Financial Assistance
MTI’s Financial Aid Team provides personalized support to students applying for federal financial aid and help with understanding all the funding options, including scholarship opportunities.
Scholarship Opportunities
MTI is here to help you attain the funding you need to take the next step in your education. MTI’s Financial Aid Team can help match you with scholarship opportunities you may qualify for.
Is Truck Driving a Good Career?
Truck driving can be a good career path if you value freedom and flexibility, and do not want a career that requires you to sit behind a desk. If you would enjoy life on the open road, truck driving could be a good career path for you!
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an average of about 241,200 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers per year from 2022-2032. According to Trucking.org, American truck driver wages grew significantly in 2021 amid the ongoing driver shortage that created increased competition for talented truck drivers. The American Trucking Association (ATA) 2022 Driver Compensation Survey found truckload drivers were paid an estimated median annual amount of $69,687 in 2021, including salaries and bonuses but not benefits.
As a professional truck driver, you can choose from several different career paths, based on the type of vehicle you drive, the industry you work within, or even the distance you want to drive.
Truck Driving Vehicles:
- Dry Vans
- Tankers
- Flatbeds
- Dump Trucks
- Lowboys
- Cargo Containers
- Livestock Trucks
- Drop Decks
- Cement Trucks
- Grain Trucks & Wreckers
Truck Driving Roles:
- Flatbed Truckers
- Dry Van Truckers
- Tanker Truckers
- Freight Haulers
- Refrigerated Freight Drivers
- Local, Regional, and OTR Drivers
Ready to Learn More?
Ready to learn more about MTI’s hands-on training programs? Give us a call or fill out the form to get more information.
Get StartedFind a Truck Driving School Near You
TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL IN MISSOURI
Here’s what you can expect when you attend Midwest Technical Institute (MTI)’s Springfield, Missouri campus for your professional truck driver education:
TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL IN ILLINOIS
Here’s what you can expect when you attend Midwest Technical Institute (MTI)’s Springfield, Illinois campus for your professional truck driver education:
Quick Facts: Truck Driving School
WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers help transport goods across distances, frequently traveling across the country on a set schedule. These long-haul drivers require special training as total cargo weight typically exceeds 26,000 pounds.
IS TRUCK DRIVING A GOOD CAREER CHOICE?
The career outlook for truck drivers remains positive, as the BLS predicts about 241,200 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade (2022-2032).
HOW DO I GET MY CDL IN ILLINOIS?
While the path to obtaining an Illinois CDL is relatively straight forward, it is important to understand all the required steps.
MTI can help you learn how to get a CDL license in Illinois and answer some commonly asked questions. To learn more, read: How Can I Get My CDL in Illinois?
HOW DO I GET MY CDL IN MISSOURI?
The process for getting your Missouri CDL can be complicated, as the requirements can vary from state to state. MTI can help you navigate your CDL options and requirements, as well as give you a step-by-step guide on how to get a CDL in Missouri.
To learn more, read: How Can I Get My CDL in Missouri?
HOW MUCH DOES TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL COST?
For more information on MTI program costs, please contact Financial Aid or visit Tuition & Cost.
Check out the CDL Trucking FAQ for the answers to frequently asked questions about CDL truck drivers!
Enrollment & Outcomes
Enrollment and outcome information for all Illinois-based campuses and the ACCSC annual reports for each program in Adobe PDF format. Please note, all programs are not offered at all campuses. For annual details, please visit our Professional Truck Driving enrollment and outcomes page.
Accreditations
- Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges (ACCSC).
- MTI is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federally-funded financial aid programs.
- MTI is a member of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA).
For more information about our accreditations and approvals, please visit: https://www.midwesttech.edu/about-us/accreditation/
Midwest Technical Institute is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education: 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701. For more info: www.ibhe.org
Midwest Technical Institute is approved to operate by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
Satellite Location (CDL Range):
5284 W. Sunshine,
Brookline, MO 65619