* Committee member will contact you to confirm participation.

Choose from the following areas:

Setup - Friday setup from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Tear Down - Saturday course tear down from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Class Director - help drivers navigate the event

Concessions - help with cooler refills, lunch orders, and trash collection

Judging - located on each course problem, time drivers, and complete scoring form

Equipment - move equipment at event - CDL required

Course - help with driving course

Pre-trip Inspections - help set defects, judge and time drivers

Check-In Table - help check-in drivers (6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.)

First Aid - EMS certification preferred 

Event Safety - help execute the Safety Plan

No Preference

Questions?  Email mta@mntruck.org or Call 651-646-7351

BEFORE ENTERING THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM, For Each Driver Please Have:

• Completed ATA Form 2024 ATA TR-1 TR-2 Fillable PDFs (download, complete - save as PDF)

• 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 ELIGIBILITY:  To be eligible, a driver must certify:

1. Since June 8, 2023, 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).  
2. Since June 8, 2023, driven and performed the regular duties of a truck or step van driver.
3. Since June 8, 2023, not been involved in a preventable fleet motor vehicle or motor carrier vehicle accident.  New this year!  Non-preventable accidents do not impact eligibility, but you must submit the review form to ATA.  Download Accident Eligibility Document  Download Review Request Document
4. Have the proper class CDL or DL plus required endorsements for class of competition.
5. 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.

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.

DRIVER ENTRY FEE:  $250.00 per driver.  The $250.00 Driver Entry Fee includes:  One (1) "Facts for Drivers" Handbook, One (1) MN TDC Patch, One (1) ATA Patch, One (1) 2024 TDC Hat, breakfast and lunch day of the competition, and two tickets to the evening banquet.  You can purchase additional quantities of these items in the registration system and below. 

Company Tents:  Companies may reserve a spot for their own 10x10 tent or rent a tent through MTA.  [Contact lauren@mntruck.org to rent a tent through MTA]

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 Indianapolis, IN, August 21-24, 2024.

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.

COMPETITION LOCATION
Koch Trailer Shop, 2603 Walnut Street, Roseville, MN 55113

BANQUET LOCATION

The Mermaid, 2200 Mounds View Blvd, Mounds View, MN 55112

Doors Open at 4:00 p.m.  Dinner at 5:00 p.m.  Program at 5:30 p.m.

HOTEL ROOM BLOCK

Attached to The Mermaid

AmericInn by Wyndham Mounds View Minneapolis, 2200 Mounds View Blvd, Mounds View, MN 55112

Doors Open -  4:00 p.m.  (Cash Bar)

Dinner Buffet & Awards - 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Adult Ticket - $50

Child Ticket (12 and under) - $25

*Driver Competitors receive two complimentary tickets to the banquet - registration not required.

Shotgun @ 9:30 a.m.  (Best Ball Scramble)

Lunch & Awards to follow tournament.

Minnesota Trucking Association's NEXTLEADER Program

Experience the NEXTLEADER Journey

Over the course of this 12-month program, you will learn how to:  build teams, become a person of influence, negotiate with confidence, cultivate relationships, deliver powerful presentations, lead meetings effectively, understand company financials, leverage your MTA membership, interact with legislators and government agencies, strategically think & plan, and communicate effectively.

Applicants:  Emerging trucking industry leaders, from MTA member companies, across all disciplines are encouraged to apply.   Applicants range from new managers to CEOs.  Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on July 19, 2024 to be considered for selection.  Applicants will be contacted starting on July 26, 2024 with the class selection decision.  Class selection is competitive.  There are only 20 seats available in the 2024/2025 NEXTLEADER class.  Early applications will receive preference for class selection. 

To apply, you must register online and include the following:

1) Personal Essay.  In 200 words or less describe why you are a good candidate for the NEXTLEADER program along with your career aspirations and goals.  Upload in PDF format.

2) Professional Resume.  Upload in PDF format.

3) Letter of Recommendation from your direct supervisor or company executive that explains why you are an emerging trucking industry leader, including descriptions and assessments on your professional achievements, qualifications and potential in the trucking industry, leadership abilities, and leadership experience.  This may be uploaded in the registration system in PDF format or sent separately to MTA@mntruck.org subject line: NEXTLEADER Letter.

4) Professional Headshot.  This photo can be taken with your phone against a plain backdrop, company logo, or a truck.  If selected for this program, this photo will be published in Trucking Minnesota.  

Registration Fee: The Registration fee of $3299.00 covers all expenses associated with the leadership program, including MTA event registration fees.  Participants will be responsible for transportation costs, hotel, and hotel parking.  Once the class is confirmed, each participant will receive an invoice via email for payment.  The Registration fee must be paid by August 31, 2024 to secure your spot.  

Attendance: Attendance at all sessions is critical for leadership development and getting the most benefit out of your NEXTLEADER experience.  The program includes eight in-person sessions, one online assessment, and one virtual session.  Attendance is required at all sessions. Homework assignments will be given for any missed sessions. 

Meeting Details: Sessions 1, 3, 6, and 9 will be located at the MTA’s Office Building in Brooklyn Center, MN.  The meetings will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Lunch will be provided on these days.  All other sessions will occur at the respective event locations on the designated day/time.  These details will be communicated when available.  You will be registered for these MTA events automatically with your paid NEXTLEADER registration.  

Hotel: Participants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations.  Each MTA event will have special hotel rates that will be communicated when available.  

Dress Code: Business casual (dress slacks, skirt, sweater, blouse, button down shirt, polo) is the preferred dress for the sessions.  Suits will be required for Session 5 (Truck to the Capitol) and Session 10 (Graduation).  The Session 10 (Annual Conference Golf Tournament will require golf attire (collard shirt).  

September 2024 to August 2025

Session 1 (September): Team Building, Trucking, & Interacting with Government Officials & Agencies

Session 2 (October): The Maxwell DISC Profile (Online Assessment) & Coaching Session 

Session 3 (November): John Maxwell Professional Development & Leadership Training

Session 4 (January): Leading Critical Conversations – MTA Safety Conference

Session 5 (February): Leading Change Through Influence – MTA Truck to the Capitol

Session 6 (March): Effective Negotiations and Trucking Tax & Finance

Session 7 (April): Learning Through Leadership – MTA Trucking Management Conference

Session 8 (June): Leading Across Transportation – Planes, Trains & Trucks

Session 9 (July): Leading Effective Meetings & Strategic Planning Methods

Session 10 (August): Cultivating Relationships, NEXTLEADER Council, Graduation - Annual Conference