Utility Construction Technician Requirements and Application

Program-Specific Requirements

The following requirements must be met before the first day of Truck Driving – Semi Level 1:

• 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. Northwood Tech 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.