On Wednesday, March 13, the Senate Transportation Committee heard legislation, authored by Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls), to help more Minnesotans obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) and enter high-demand and high-paying careers. SF 4169 would remove a 180-hour training requirement that currently blocks many public higher education institutions from offering third-party CDL testing.

“CDL drivers are in high demand across the state,” Sen. Rasmusson said. “Minnesota State, which has community and technical colleges in the area I represent, responded by expanding programs to help Minnesotans obtain their CDL. Last year, they had hundreds of students go through their CDL program. However, a barrier is the time it takes for students to get CDL testing.”

To be a third-party CDL tester, a public higher education institution must currently offer a course with at least 180 hours of training, but most do not offer 180-hour programs. Yet there is no federal or state requirement on the number of instructional hours required to obtain a CDL. 

During the committee hearing, Craig Beytien, vice president of strategic engagement at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, testified in support of Sen. Rasmusson’s legislation. “With only 26 examination stations across the state, it has proven insufficient to accommodate the approximately 10,000 individuals annually who are seeking a new Class A or Class B license–let alone those who are seeking renewals,” Beytien shared. “Since the transition to computerized appointments for CDL testing by the Department of Vehicle Services, educational institutions have encountered challenges in ensuring timely testing for their students, many having to drive hundreds of miles often days or weeks after a student has completed training.”

Sen. Rasmusson’s SF 4169 would therefore remove the 180-hour training requirement, but all the rigorous federal and state program requirements would still apply. “State law allows a public higher education institution to offer third-party testing, but it requires that the program consist of 180 instructional hours. My legislation removes this 180-hour requirement, opening CDL testing up to any school that offers the training. This will get Minnesota students into high-demand and high-paying jobs and help our economy have the workforce needed to be successful,” Sen. Rasmusson concluded.

SF 4169 was laid over for possible inclusion in a transportation bill package later in session.