Commercial Driver License Program
Commercial Driver License Program
Benton Center, Room 102
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Train up. Stand out.
Commercial truck drivers are in high demand nationwide. Earning your CDL can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities locally and across the country.
Linn-Benton Community College is in partnership with the Knife River Training Center in Albany, Oregon to deliver best-in-class, FMCSA compliant Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) for Class A or Class B Commercial Driver Licenses. This partnership provides you with a powerful learning advantage by combining educational support with intensive, industry-focused, hands-on driver training. Class sizes are small so we can maintain a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio. This means you will have individualized training while working one-on-one with your assigned instructor! A new class starts every five weeks and students graduate with their new CDLs within three weeks and two days from the start of class. Class space is limited and fills in advance, so early planning is important to securing a class that meets your schedule and career goals. For an up-to-date schedule of our CDL program, check out the Training Schedule tables below. All of our training is on manual (not automatic) transmission trucks so your shiny new CDL will have no restrictions!
Our Training Schedule
2025
| Start Date | End Date | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 20 | Nov. 12 | Oct. 6 |
| Nov. 17 | Dec. 12 | Nov. 3 |
2026
| Start Date | End Date | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 5 | Jan. 27 | Dec. 22 |
| Feb. 9 | Mar. 4 | Jan. 26 |
| Mar. 16 | Apr. 7 | Mar. 2 |
| Apr. 20 | May 12 | Apr. 6 |
| May 26 | Jun. 17 | May 12 |
| Jul. 6 | Jul. 28 | Jun. 22 |
| Aug. 10 | Sep. 1 | Jul. 27 |
| Sep. 14 | Oct. 6 | Aug. 31 |
| Oct. 19 | Nov. 10 | Oct. 5 |
| Nov. 23 | Dec. 18 | Nov. 9 |
Why Choose Us?
Linn-Benton Community College brings years of experience as an educational institution, providing comprehensive student support services, compliance oversight, and guidance through the academic process. LBCC is committed to preparing students for new careers, ensuring access to resources and a supportive learning environment. LBCC also offers career advising, academic support, community resources and basic needs support to students while in class.
The Knife River Training Center draws on extensive expertise in CDL training, with a facility specifically designed for truck driving education and applying adult-learning techniques, such as hands-on instruction and real-world application—including interactive coursework and practical behind-the-wheel lessons on 230 acres of closed training roads. This approach allows students to learn skills by “doing”, which prepares them for immediate entry into the workforce.
As a partnership, we focus on delivering a training experience that is responsive
to industry standards and adult learning needs. This synergy equips students with
the academic foundation and practical skills required for successful CDL careers.
Application Process
- Pick the applicable program application:
- Complete the applicable application and email it to us (see the card at the top of the page).
- Once your application has been reviewed, LBCC will reach out to you to confirm dates of attendance and provide prerequisite information.
- Registration for each class starts six weeks before the first day of class.
- When registration starts, LBCC will send a comprehensive prerequisite list (page two of the application) with specific due dates for each step.
- Completing the prerequisite process takes approximately four to six weeks.
- Once all prerequisites have been submitted by the registration deadline, LBCC will send a follow up email with information about how to prepare for class.