Moody County officials are looking into establishing their own Commercial Drivers License training program for county employees as a new federal regulation gets set to take effect.
Beginning February 7, all entry-level operators of Commercial Motor Vehicles in both interstate and intrastate commerce who are applying for a CDL must first complete minimum training requirements before taking their state-administered CDL examination. What that means, according to the new County Highway Superintendent Andy Muller, is that the cost to get a CDL is about to go up exponentially either for the county, or individuals hoping to work for the county, unless they can find an alternate solution. The same will apply to any other entity that requires a CDL. This includes those seeking a Class A or Class B CDL, an upgrade to their CDL, or a hazardous materials, passenger, or school bus endorsement for their license.
Historically, someone needing a CDL could study the materials on their own and take both a written test with the Department of Motor Vehicles and a drivers test with a certified tester for a minimal fee. Muller said that his test and licensing cost him personally only his time and $90. The new mandate will require individuals to study for their CDL through a certified training program. Those programs range anywhere from $3,000-5000, on average.

There are currently eight truck driving schools in South Dakota. Those that the Moody County Enterprise reached out to for this story are already struggling to manage the demand for training. John Heemnstra, Vice President of Operations and Human Resources at Mitchell Technical College said that the two instructors they have doing CDL training are maxed out. They are focused solely this semester on the students that they have enrolled in degree seeking programs on campus and can’t take on any additional CDL students. “Right now,” said Heemnstra, “we just don’t have the capacity.” Neither do many other programs, and it comes at a time there is incredible need nationwide and locally for drivers.
Muller introduced the concept of becoming a certified trainer himself before County Commissioners this past month, which is a possibility. County officials confirm they are considering the option. Answers can’t come fast enough as there is always a need for CDL certified drivers.
“It brings up a lot of questions. Do they get their CDL? Are we going to pay for the training? Or are they responsible for that? Because what happens if they get their cdl, we pay for it and then they leave? There are just a lot of questions to sort out.”
The discussion is scheduled to continue at the Commissioners next meeting.