Start a New Day and a New Career!

A career in commercial driving offers more than just a paycheck; it offers independence, stability, and a path forward. At Mountain West CDL, we’ve designed our programs to get you out of the classroom and behind the wheel as quickly and safely as possible.

Our Gillette-based instructors bring over 100 years of combined road experience to every lesson, ensuring you master the skills that top carriers demand. From our intensive 4-week Class A course to specialized refreshers, we provide the hands-on training and corporate alliances you need to succeed in today’s industry. Your journey starts here.

A blue semi-truck parked on a gravel lot with two orange traffic cones, one in front of it and one behind, and trees in the background.

Class A CDL Training

Our premier program is an intensive 4-week curriculum designed to build the technical skills and confidence you need to earn your license and get on the road. We pride ourselves on a 100% student success rate since 2018, a milestone we achieve through a personalized 3-to-1 student-to-trainer ratio that ensures you are never just another face in a crowd.

Phase 1: Classroom & Simulation Mastery

Before you hit the pavement, we build your confidence in a controlled environment.

  • State-of-the-Art Simulator Training: Our advanced driving simulator allows you to master shifting, backing, and emergency maneuvers before ever stepping into a live truck. It’s the perfect way to practice inclement weather driving, mountain descents, and hazard perception in a zero-risk setting.

  • Core Knowledge: Preparation for all D.O.T. written permits, including General Knowledge, Combination Vehicle, and Air Brakes.

  • Bonus Endorsements: We include training for Doubles & Triples, Tankers, and Hazardous Materials at no extra cost.

Phase 2: Hands-On Backing Skills

Mastering the trailer is about precision. You will spend significant time on our dedicated range developing the muscle memory for the maneuvers required by the State Driving Test:

  • Straight Line & Offset Backing

  • Parallel Parking

  • Coupling and Uncoupling

Phase 3: Real-World Road Driving

We believe in training for the job, not just the test. You will operate our late-model tractor-trailers in diverse real-world conditions, guided by instructors with years of experience:

  • Varied Environments: City driving, highway travel, and navigating the unique terrain of the Mountain West.

  • Pre-Trip Safety Inspections: Learn to identify mechanical issues before they become hazards, ensuring you are always compliant and safe.

The Finish Line: Testing & Placement

  • Test Where You Train: As a State Third-Party Test Site, you skip the DMV wait times. You’ll take your final exam right here in Gillette on the equipment you’ve already mastered.

  • Job Placement: Our deep corporate alliances with carriers like Blakeman Propane and Werner Enterprises mean our graduates move straight from the classroom to a paycheck.

A man standing outdoors on grass, holding a certificate, smiling, in front of a sign that reads 'Mountain West Commercial Driving School' with mountain and building graphic, trees, a large rock, and a truck in the background.

Class B CDL Training

This program equips you to operate high-capacity single vehicles weighing over 26,001 pounds, which are vital to Wyoming’s construction, transit, and delivery sectors. 

  • Hands-On Range & Road Training: You’ll gain direct experience operating straight trucks, training includes mastering tight-space maneuvers and professional city driving.

  • Precision Backing Maneuvers: Build the specialized skills required for modern worksites, including straight-line backing, alley docking, and offset maneuvers.

  • Comprehensive Safety & Inspection: We teach you to conduct professional-grade pre-trip and post-trip inspections, identifying mechanical issues before they hit the road.

  • Simulator Integration: Use our advanced driving simulator to practice hazard perception and emergency responses safely before your final state test. 

Versatile Career Opportunities

A Class B license opens the door to a wide range of essential roles: 

  • Heavy Equipment & Construction: Dump trucks, cement mixers, and utility vehicles.

  • Logistics & Delivery: Regional box trucks, furniture delivery, and sanitation vehicles.

Man holding a steering wheel inside a truck simulator with digital dashboard and a large screen displaying a road scene.

Specialized Certifications
& Professional Development

Beyond the basic license, we offer the "extras" that make your resume stand out to high-paying carriers:

  • Brake Adjustment: Essential mechanical training for safety and D.O.T. compliance.

  • Refresher Courses: Customized sessions for experienced drivers returning to the industry or looking to sharpen specific skills.

  • Endorsement Prep: Comprehensive preparation for Tanker, Doubles/Triples, and Hazardous Materials tests.

White semi-truck parked on a dirt lot under a clear blue sky.
Two men holding certificates standing outdoors under a sign for Mountain West Commercial Driving School, with a tree and a truck in the background.
White semi-truck parked on a dirt lot under a blue sky with scattered clouds, with orange traffic cones nearby.

Testimonials

  • "Just want to say you taught someone with no knowledge of trucking, really zero knowledge, and gave me the know-how to navigate numerous driving experiences. I've been able to take on jobs with utmost confidence because of yall. Truck checks at the Port of Entry... had one on the second day driving, no problem. Was able to navigate the inspection with confidence and get the wheels turning. Driving a big rig, now even part time, my skills learned from yall keep me behind the wheel without hesitation. Coming from a driver having never been behind the wheel of a semi truck and trailer until I got into your school, Im thankful I can now drive whatever rig the world wants me to drive, and where the road wants to take me. Thank you."

    - Lee Harstad

  • "I highly recommend Mountain West CDL School. I came in as a total newbie with no experience at all. The staff were wonderful getting me geared up and ready to take my tests. I can't say enough about the training and care they have for their students. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience and the wealth of knowledge that you passed on."

    - Penny Jones

  • "I would like to thank everyone at Mountain West School for the A 1 training, both in the classroom and on the road. The knowledge shared with the class was exceptional and the class size was very beneficial, everyone received equal time at the wheel. Both Instructors willingly encouraged all of us forward towards our goals and gave extra assistance when needed. Sincerely,"

    - Ms. Haus

  • "I came to Mountain West CDL school the beginning of July it’s been 2 weeks best attributes about this school is they have you do your pretrips before and after your drives you get to drive over the road everyday my downshifting and alley dock and switchback were horrible 2 weeks into my schools I’m doing great …I test on Saturday feeling confident... The Very Best CDL school in the state of Wyoming.. they make it fun to come to class everyday … you shine when you leave everyday knowing you got this… Thanks everyone at Mountain West CDL school"

    - Diamon Johnson

  • "Great school with excellent instructors. Starting off with Andrew in the classroom to Felicia and Brandi out on the road. If you trust the system and are willing to learn, you'll absolutely succeed at this location. I've already recommended the school to a ton of people. It's really that good!"

    - Dan G.

  • I was giving the opportunity to attend MWCDS and it's been an amazing journey. The instructors are extremely informative and truly care about you learning all aspects of driving and safety and succeeding in obtaining your CDL. There's no way I can even come close to expressing how much I truly enjoyed learning the time I spent there! Talk about an amazing experience. Colby and Felicia are two instructors I learned the most from, however I learned something from every instructor!

    - Kristina Pille

  • "Todd and everyone at Mountain West do a fantastic job teaching you a strong foundation to enter the trucking industry. They work with you until you're ready to test and don't rush you through the program. The instructors are patient and thorough, each has their own unique insight, and each has invaluable knowledge to glean if you are willing to pay attention and learn. Thank you Mountain West!"

    - Amanda Wenner

  • "Fantastic school! Very knowledgeable instructors that offer the best in-depth training for the industry. Mountain West also has a nice clean well maintained large fleet of trucks to train with. You won't regret enrolling with Mountain West."

    - Matt Hengemuhle

  • "This school is Great...Sarah,Felicia,& Colby are the greatest instructors ever..I'm a slow stubborn learner and they were very patient with me but also firm..its a school but I consider them my FAMILY...The owner Todd is a great guy and the program he runs truly gives you a career...going to this school was more than a blessing this program has revamped my whole life...THANK YOU GUYS FOR MAKING MY DREAMS A REALITY..."

    - Gee Cook

  • "I highly recommend Mountain West Cdl. I recently went through the program and attained my class A with all endorsements in just a couple weeks. The instructors are professional and take great pride in the success of each student."

    - Darrell Ward

Your Partner in the Long Haul

At Mountain West CDL, we believe that your journey involves more than just mastering a gear shift. We are committed to removing the hurdles that stand between you and your new life on the road. This is why we maintain active partnerships with state and federal agencies, such as Wyoming Job Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the WIOA program, to help students navigate tuition assistance and funding opportunities.

Our commitment to your future extends far beyond the classroom. We leverage deep-rooted corporate alliances with industry leaders like Blakeman Propane, Werner Enterprises, and Swift Transportation to bridge the gap between graduation and your first paycheck. Because we are a State of Wyoming Third-Party Test Site, you have the unique advantage of testing on the same Gillette grounds where you trained, providing the familiarity and confidence needed to maintain our 100% success rate.

Your new career isn't just a possibility—it's a proven path that we’ve walked with every student since 2001. With classes starting every Tuesday, the only thing missing from our next successful graduation is you.