Bill > SF1834

This bill establishes a comprehensive Commercial Driver Training Assistance Program to support individuals seeking to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL). The program will provide financial assistance to eligible individuals who want to receive CDL training, with funding of $6 million allocated for fiscal year 2026. To qualify, applicants must be Minnesota residents aged 18 or older, possess a valid Minnesota driver's license, have completed job shadowing with at least two motor carriers, and meet specific licensing requirements. Driver training schools must be registered with the state and comply with federal training regulations, while participating employers must provide job shadowing opportunities and support for new drivers. Financial assistance will cover training costs, including tuition, books, and living expenses, with the condition that recipients must complete training, obtain a CDL within six months, and work in a CDL-required position for at least one year. The bill also makes several technical modifications to existing transportation statutes, including clarifying definitions of road tests and adjusting third-party testing provisions for school bus and commercial drivers. Recipients who fail to meet the program's terms will be required to repay a portion of their financial assistance, and all participants must submit quarterly reports to track program effectiveness.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1834&ssn=0&y=2025