Truck Driving Requirements & Application

Northwood Tech Semi Truck

From submitting your application to admission to registration, Northwood Tech is available to help guide you through the admissions process. To help you successfully complete this program, Northwood Tech has developed a set of program requirements. For students with a disability, reasonable accommodations are available to help you be successful in the program of your choice. 


Program-Specific Requirements

The following requirements must be met before the first day of class:

  • Submit an Online Northwood Tech Admissions Application

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

  • Verification of valid driver’s license

  • Pass the DOT physical exam and FMCSA Pre-Employment drug test

    • A DOT physical exam will need to be scheduled. Visit Find certified Medical Examiners at www.fmcsa.dot.gov. When making an appointment, state that you are in need of a DOT physical exam. Bring personal identification

    • For Technical Diploma students, a Pre-Employment drug test will be scheduled. For all other Truck Driving students (Class B, customized training), drug testing information will be provided. A CDL learner’s permit is required prior to test. Additional fee is required for test.

  • Provide a copy of CDL Class A permit with air brakes

    • To obtain a permit you will need to pass three written tests at the nearest Wisconsin Department of Transportation office.

      • The tests include: 1. General Knowledge, 2. Air Brakes, and 3. Combination Vehicles. There is no fee to take the tests, but there is an additional fee for the CDL permit. An individual is given five attempts to pass the test on each section. If an individual cannot pass the test on the fifth time, they will have to wait one calendar year from the date of the first attempt to restart the testing process. Tests can be taken individually by section. Please refer to the manual to study for the test. WITC also offers a CDL Permit Prep and CDL Permit Prep Online course each term.

      • Wisconsin Commercial Motor Vehicle Manual (CMV): https://wisconsindot.gov.

      • Proof of DOT physical and citizenship will be required at DMV before issuance of your CDL-permit.

  • Meet all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) requirements

    • FMCSA -- Regulations, Section 49 CFR: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov. After opening the link, click on the title for Part 391: Qualifications of Drivers and Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) Driver Instructors. This will open a new window and you should refer to Subpart E: 391.41 Physical Qualifications for Drivers.

          NOTE: It is recommended that Truck Driving students enroll in all three Truck Driving courses (30458304, 30458305, and
                     30458303) at the same time to ensure space availability.

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Technology Requirements

If using Macintosh or Linux based computers, coursework must be submitted using your Office365 tools provided with your Northwood Tech email account. It is important to verify with your Program Faculty if non-Windows based computers are acceptable in the program.

View All Technology Requirements

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

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Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

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New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

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Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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