Commercial Truck Driving (CDL)

Start on your road to success! Prepare to enter the job market as a professional truck driver. Truck drivers deliver everything from automobiles to foods and supplies found in stores. Businesses rely on trucks for pickup and delivery of goods since no other form of transportation can deliver these products door to door.

This four-week program provides the optimal balance between classroom learning and behind the wheel, on the road training to prepare students for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A exam. Class A CDL licenses are issued to adults who are 18 or older who have demonstrated their qualifications to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Learning Outcomes

In this program, you will cover the:

• Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier rules and regulations as they pertain to a professional driver
• Necessary functions as it relates to the safe operation of a tractor/trailer combination
• Procedures a driver needs to know, such as pre-trip inspection, logbooks, paperwork, and accident procedures
• Useful driving techniques, such as defensive driving and driving in inclement weather.

Class sizes are small, and our experienced instructors can give you insight on what it is like to be a truck driver.

Prerequisites

Must have a driver’s license, valid CDL Permit and clean motor vehicle record (MVR) prior to registering. Participants will also have to complete the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screen and physical. Note: The cost of tuition does not include the CDL Permit License.

Course Outline

Each week, classroom instruction includes lectures, demonstrations, videotapes and book assignments.

Week 1

• Classroom—Introduction to program, industry, industry regulations and requirements, hours of service, control systems, vehicle systems, pre-trip inspections, driving conditions, hazard awareness, equipment malfunctions, trip planning, cargo handling
• Upon completion of the first week, you will be prepared to take your written CDL exam

Week 2

• Classroom—hours of service, vehicle systems, control systems, accident procedures, winter driving, engines, transmissions, differentials
• Lab—Vehicle systems, air brakes, control systems, pre-trip inspections, preventative maintenance, tire chains, load security
• Field Training—Starting of vehicle, coupling, straight line backing, turning, shifting, throttle control

Week 3

• Classroom—Hours of Service, hazardous materials, vehicle systems, control systems, power trains, job applications, interviews
• Lab—Vehicle systems, control systems, pre-trip inspections, brake adjustment, equipment malfunctions
• Field Training—coupling, uncoupling, hooking doubles, straight backing, 90-degree backing, shifting, interstate driving, highway driving, city driving

Week 4

• Classroom—Hours of service, vehicle systems, control systems, paperwork
• Lab—safety equipment, proper loading, vehicle specifications, vehicle systems, control systems
• Field Training— coupling, uncoupling, hooking doubles, straight backing, 90-degree backing, shifting, interstate driving, highway driving, city driving
• A Road Test will be given on the last day of the program

Course Dates and Times

 Course Hours: 160 Hours

This workshop is offered through our continuing education partner.