MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Iowa Valley Community College District is putting real trucks behind its new Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training program, with classes starting in Marshalltown this September. 

The Iowa Valley Board of Directors approved a 72-month lease for a semi-truck through MHC Truck Leasing, adding to a Peterbilt 579 tractor and Benson flatbed trailer the district purchased last month from TMC Truck Sales. Together, the equipment gives Iowa Valley Business & Community Solutions (BCS) the fleet it needs to run hands-on, road-ready training for Class A CDL students. 

The program is built to meet federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, covering vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and the road test students need to pass the Iowa DOT CDL exam. 

Leading the program is Brent Darrah, who joined BCS as Transportation Education Coordinator in June. Darrah brings 14 years of commercial driving experience and seven years as a driving instructor to the role. 

"I've spent my career behind the wheel and in the cab teaching other people to be there too, Darrah said. “In this program, we're not just handing someone a license. We're giving them a skill they can build a career on, right here in Marshalltown"  

New classes start every four weeks, giving students flexibility to begin training without a long wait. Financial assistance may be available through state workforce funding programs, and Iowa Valley BCS can help connect students and employers with options to offset training costs. 

The program also gives area employers a local pipeline for trained drivers. Businesses can explore available state workforce funding to help offset training costs for new hires and current staff, and can post openings directly to the program's employer interest list. 

Iowa Valley Community College District President, Dr. Anne Howsare Boyens, said the CDL program is much needed. 

" This program is a direct response to what employers across our region have been telling us: they need trained drivers, and they need them close to home. Investing in this equipment and in Brent's leadership means Iowa Valley can meet that need head-on, and give students a clear path to a stable, well-paying career.” 

More information on the CDL training program, including how to get on the interest list, is available at https://www.iavalley.edu/BCS/work-ready/cdl-training.html.