Commercial Truck Driving (CDL)

About Program (Skills)

Students completing the CDL program will gain the following:

1. Core Driving & Safety Skills
   • Vehicle Control: Mastering large vehicle operation, including safe turns, lane changes, braking, and backing in tight spaces.
   • Defensive Driving: Hazard identification, scanning blind spots, maintaining safe following distances, and responding to emergencies.
   • Adverse Conditions: Adapting driving to weather, traffic, and various road terrains.
2. Logistics & Technical Skills
   • Navigation: Efficient route planning, using GPS, and map reading.
   • Mechanical Knowledge: Performing pre-trip inspections, identifying minor issues, and basic maintenance.
   • Logistics Management: Fuel efficiency, load securing, and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) operation.
3. Professional & Soft Skills
   • Time Management: Scheduling, managing breaks, and meeting delivery deadlines.
   • Problem-Solving: Adapting to road closures, breakdowns, or unexpected delays.
   • Communication: Interacting with dispatch, clients, and using CB radios effectively.
   • Customer Service: Professional demeanor, handling complaints, and assisting passengers (for passenger endorsements).
   • Responsibility & Organization: Maintaining accurate logs, compliance paperwork, and cargo integrity.
4. Regulatory & Compliance Skills
   • FMCSR Knowledge: Understanding Hours of Service (HOS) rules, weight limits, and hazardous materials handling.
   • Record-Keeping: Accurate logbook maintenance and documentation.

Career Options

Graduates of the CDL program may pursue the following careers:

1. Driving Career Paths
   • Long Haul/OTR (Over-the-Road): Cross-country trips, great for independence.
   • Regional: Shorter routes, usually home more often.
   • Dedicated: Consistent routes for specific companies (e.g., Amazon, retail).
   • Specialized: Hazmat, Oversized Loads, Tanker, Livestock.
   • Local Delivery: Furniture, medical supplies, food, vending machines.
   • Bus Driver: School, City Transit, Charter/Tour Bus.
   • Construction: Dump Trucks, Cement Mixers, Paving.
   • Sanitation: Garbage/Recycling Truck Driver.
   • Owner-Operator: Be your own boss.
2. Non-Driving & Related Careers
   • Logistics/Management: Dispatcher, Logistics Coordinator, Transportation Manager, Fleet Manager.
   • Training/Safety: CDL Driving Instructor, Safety Compliance Officer.
   • Public Service: Firefighter, EMT/Ambulance Driver.
   • Heavy Equipment Operation: Crane Operator, Pump Truck Operator (often uses CDL for large vehicles).
   • Warehouse Operations: Utilizing logistics knowledge.

Year 1

Fall I: (8 Credits)

• CDL 101 – CDL Test Prep & Defensive Driving – 2 Credits
• CDL 102 – CDL Permit – 2 Credits
• CDL 103 – CDL Inspections – 2 Credits
• CDL 104 – CDL Range Driving – 1 Credits
• CDL 105 – CDL Road Driving – 1 Credits