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2023 Minnesota Truck Driving Championship
June 10, 2023 - June 11, 2023
WHAT IS THE MINNESOTA TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS?
The Minnesota Truck Driving Championships is a competition of professional truck drivers hosted each year by the Minnesota Trucking Association. Drivers compete in one of nine classes – Straight Truck, Flatbed, Three Axle, Four Axle, Five Axle, Tank, Twin Trailer, Sleeper Berth and Step Van. Each driver has a chance to demonstrate his or her driving and inspection skills, knowledge and professionalism through a series of tests. The drivers undergo a written examination, pre-trip inspection test and finally, the most visible – the skills test on the driving course. Winners in each class go on to compete in the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships in Columbus, OH, August 16-19, 2023.The NTDC and affiliated state TDCs like the Minnesota Truck Driving Championships are considered one of the industry’s largest and most effective safety programs. These annual competitions inspire tens of thousands of drivers to operate accident-free for the right to compete.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
There are many great reasons for companies to register their drivers to compete at TDC:
- The TDC is a great incentive for professional truck drivers to operate safely, because they must be accident-free for at least one year prior to the competition. Many of the competitors have millions of accident-free driving miles to their credit.
- When asked, professional drivers will tell you that they are drawn to the Championships by the spirit of competition and by the prestige of being named the best of the best.
- It is described by drivers as being like the Olympics, where they come to win but revel in the camaraderie and excitement.
- Competing drivers feel a sense of pride and achievement, which creates good driver morale and positive attitudes among employees and with customers.
- Companies can take pride in their drivers’ achievements and recognize their excellence both on and off the road. This builds good relationships between the company and its drivers, which translates into driver retention.
- As a family event, it lifts up truck driving as a good career choice and presents a positive image of the truck driver and the trucking industry.
- It’s fun, and builds company pride to have a rooting section at the TDC cheering on your drivers.
DRIVER ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, a driver must certify:
- Since June 10, 2022, continuously employed (away from work no more than 30 days) as a truck or step van driver by present employer (MTA member motor carrier fleet).
- Since June 10, 2022, driven and performed the regular duties of a truck or step van driver.
- Since June 10, 2022, not been involved in a fleet motor vehicle or motor carrier vehicle accident, regardless of fault.
- Have the proper class CDL or DL plus required endorsements for class of competition.
- Hold a CDL (DL if SVDC) from or have been occupationally domiciled in the state of Minnesota. Occupational domiciled is defined as the terminal, garage or other operating base from which the driver normally works, is supervised and/or where employer is corporately headquartered.
Eligibility Reminders:
- Owner-Operators are not eligible to compete in the TDC program unless they are contracted to a single company.
- Those who drive professionally and also serve as driver trainers are required to spend 60% of their time serving as a professional driver (behind the wheel) and must perform the regular duties of a professional truck driver for a minimum of 1200 hours annually
*Please call (651) 251-6431 with eligibility questions.
DRIVER REGISTRATION
BEFORE you begin registration, make sure you have all the required documents and driver information. MTA member companies may enter a MAXIMUM of three (3) drivers in each class of competition. Each driver must have the proper endorsement to compete in the desired class of competition and meet all other MTA Truck Driving Championships eligibility requirements. Deadline to register is June 2, 2023. Contact [email protected] with online registration issues.If your company is NOT currently an MTA member and you have drivers that want to participate this year, call Grace at (301) 300-0161 for membership information.Before entering the registration system have the following completed:
- ATA Form TR1 & TR2 (Saved as PDF) Click link to download
- Headshot of Driver (Saved as JPEG)
- Current driver MVR (Saved as PDF)
- *Driver CDL Photo is NO LONGER Required to be Included in Registration
- Know Driver Name Spelling and Phonetic Pronunciation, Email Address, Phone #, and Home Address
DRIVER ENTRY FEE:
$250.00 per driverThe $250.00 Driver Entry Fee includes: One (1) “Facts for Drivers” Handbook, One (1) MN TDC Patch, One (1) ATA Patch, One (1) 2022 TDC Hat, breakfast and lunch for both days of the competition, and two tickets to the evening banquet. You can purchase additional quantities of these items in the registration system.
Company Tents:
Companies may reserve a spot for their own 10×10 tent or rent a tent through MTA. [Contact [email protected] to rent a tent through MTA]
extra banquet tickets – $49 per adult, $36 per child
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
June 10, 2023 – Day 1 Competition6:30 a.m. Volunteer Check-In7:00 a.m. Driver Check-In7:30 a.m. Welcome7:40 a.m. Written Exam [Study Facts for Drivers 2023 – 40 multiple choice questions]8:45 a.m. Driving Course Orientation9:45 a.m. Silent Driving Course Walk-Thru10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Group 1 Course: Twin Trailer, Flatbed, Tank, Sleeper BerthGroup 2 Pre-Trip: Three Axle, Four Axle, Five Axle, Step Van, Straight Truck1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Group 1 Pre-Trip: Twin Trailer, Flatbed, Tank, Sleeper BerthGroup 2 Course: Three Axle, Four Axle, Five Axle, Step Van, Straight Truck** NEW this year. NO DRIVER SEQUESTER. Hang out with your family and colleagues during the event.June 11, 2023 – Day 2 Finals
- 7:00 a.m. Volunteer Check-In
- 7:45 a.m. Driver Check-In
- 8:00 a.m. Finalist Announcements, Driver Recognition, Driver Photos
- 9:00 a.m. Driving Course Walk-thru
- 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Driving Course Competition Finals
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Site Clean-up
- 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Awards Banquet – Location TBD (Casual Attire)
VOLUNTEERS
*Must be 18 years old to volunteer *No Experience Necessary *Committee member will contact you to confirm participation. Registered and confirmed volunteers receive complimentary lunch at the event on the days you volunteer.TDC Banquet Tickets for Volunteers & Spectators – $49 per adult, $36 per child5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Location TBD)Volunteers and spectators who want to attend the banquet must purchase a ticket online.
DRIVER RESOURCES
Sample Written Exam Questions from 2022
Please note: Drivers will NOT have access to cell phones/ smart watches while actively competing (written exam, on course driving, and during pre-trip inspection)
