I just finished the CDL class at Southeast Technical Institute's Business and Industry Training school in Sioux Falls, SD. It's a six week class that focuses on driving time. They keep the class size to eight or less in order to give you as much driving time as possible. There is a week of classroom dedicated to passing the written tests. After that it's all driving. Every class gets to haul a load across the state at least once. Sure, the city driving and all of the backing gets to be a bit repetitious, and there's plenty of sitting around while you're waiting your turn, but it's a good experience overall.

The instructor, Glenn, has 26 years of real-world experience behind the wheel and 5 or so as a dispatcher. He's a no-BS kind of guy and if you pay attention you'll learn. The cost is a bit much at just under $3500, but you're not locked into any particular company afterward. You do have to get a job on your own, though, but that shouldn't be too difficult. Plus, all of your testing fees are included in the tuition.

If you are from South Dakota and want to get your CDL, this is the place.