The Truck Driving program at H. Councill Trenholm State Community College is designed to prepare the student to operate vehicles requiring a commercial driver’s license. A six-week, non-credit Truck Driving program is offered that utilizes the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) model curriculum as the foundation for training and takes the student from basic through the advanced operation of a tractor/trailer. Additionally, courses taught include safe operation practices and non-vehicle activities (which are not directly related to the vehicle), which must be performed by the operator. Information is presented in an intensive question and answer format and hands-on training to provide the most efficient and cost-effective method for preparing a student for a commercial driver’s license.
Program Details: View more information in the catalog.
Class B CDL Straight Truck & Passenger Bus
(not school bus)
The Class B CDL program at Trenholm State Community College is designed to prepare the student to operate vehicles requiring a Class B commercial driver’s license. This four-week, non-credit program utilizes the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) model curriculum as the foundation for training and takes the student from basic through advanced operation. A Class B commercial driver's license is required to operate a single vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or tow a vehicle not heavier than 10,000 pounds. With a Class B CDL and the appropriate endorsem*nts, students will learn to operate the following types of vehicles: Straight trucks, large passenger buses, segmented buses, box trucks and dump trucks with small trailers
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum age of 18 years old
- For application/registration information, please send an email request to workforcedev@trenholmstate.edu
- Obtain the following and turn in all documentation with Application:
- Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) – complete the form at this link:https://www.alea.gov/sites/default/files/dl-forms/DLDriverRecordRequest.pdf and take it to the ALEA – Driver License Division located at 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery 36102.
- DOT Physical and Drug Screening – Click here for locations:
Take This Letter With You
Prior to obtaining drug screen, please contact Kristian McDaniel at 334-420-4411 for additional information. - Valid CDL Learner’s Permit - To obtain permit, you must pass three written tests at the Driver’s License Office located at 1040 Coliseum Blvd., Montgomery. Test 1: General Knowledge; Test 2: Air Brakes; Test 3: Combination Vehicle. Study Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 in the CDL Manual. Click here to view the CDL Manual
Essential Job Functions:
- Students are subject to DOT random drug testing rules.
- Prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to drive trucks and buses, delivery vehicles, for-hire vehicles and other commercial vehicles, or to instruct commercial vehicle operators
- Operating gas, diesel, or electrically-powered vehicles
- Loading and unloading cargo or passengers
- Reporting delays or accidents on the road
- Verifying load against shipping papers
- Arranging transportation for personnel
- Keeping records of receipts and fares
Program Information & Cost:
- Ten (10) seats available for each class
- 4-week course (4 days a week – 19 hours per week - Click here for a specific class schedule)
- Training held at Truck Driver Training Facility located at 5420 Troy Highway, Montgomery
- $1,300 for the Class B CDL course (this includes tuition & books ONLY)
Cost Breakdown: (Students are responsible for these approximated costs)- Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) - $5.75
- Learner’s Permit - $36.25
- License Class A - $66.25
- DOT Physical - $100.00
- Drug Screen - $50.00 - $60.00
- Payment is expected when application and documents are submitted. Mastercard, Visa, Discover, money order, cashier’s check, personal check and cash are accepted.
- Female applicants that are not eligible for WIOA funding may apply for a Perkins Scholarship. For application/registration information, please send an email request to workforcedev@trenholmstate.edu.
- For additional information or questions please contact Dean Faust, Program Coordinator/Instructor at 334-420-4406
Application and all required documents are accepted daily from 8:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Truck Driving Facility Located at 5420 Troy Highway Montgomery, AL 36116
OR
Via email: kmcdaniel@trenholmstate.edu
For application/registration information, please send an email request to workforcedev@trenholmstate.edu
Basic Truck Driving
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of becoming a professional commercial motor vehicle driver. Topics include orientation, control systems, vehicle inspections, reporting, basic control, shifting, backing, coupling and uncoupling, proficiency development, and special rigs. Upon completion, the student should demonstrate proficiency in skill field tasks and pre-trip inspections to Commercial Drivers License standards.
Advanced Truck Driving
This course offers proper defensive driving techniques applicable to the commercial motor vehicle driver and involves the interaction between the student/vehicle and the highway traffic environment. Topics include visual search, communication, speed and space management, night operation, extreme driving conditions, and proficiency development. Upon completion, the student should demonstrate basic operating skills that ensure the driver's safety and other vehicle operators to Commercial Driver’s License standards.
Non-Vehicle Activities
This course focuses on activities not directly related to the vehicle itself but related to the commercial motor vehicle driver's potential job performance. Topics include preparation for CDL permit, entry-level CMV drivers basics (qualification, wellness, hours of service, whistleblower protection), handling cargo, cargo documentation, hours of service requirements, accident procedures, personal health and safety, trip planning, employability skills, and public and employer relations. Upon completion, the student will demonstrate these activities' performance to Commercial Driver’s License standards to ensure safety to the driver, vehicle, cargo, and other motorists.
Vehicle Maintenance
This course introduces students to the vehicle's various components and how they work so that malfunctions and safety hazards may be recognized before serious damages or accidents occur. Topics include vehicle systems, preventive maintenance and servicing, and diagnosing and reporting malfunctions. Upon completion, the student should perform routine service functions and simple maintenance tasks and recognize when a vehicle needs repairs.
Safe operating Practices
This course is designed for extended high-level skills training to cope with the roadway traffic environment's hazards. Topics include hazard perception, emergency maneuvers, and skid control and recovery. Upon completion, the student should demonstrate perceptual skills to recognize potential hazards and the manipulative skills needed to handle the vehicle in an emergency.
Third Party Test
- Use of our truck: $350.00
- Use of your/company truck: $200.00
Third Party Cost
- Fee per hour: $165.00
- Fee per half hour: $85.00
- Minimum age of 18 years old
- For application/registration information, please send an email request to workforcedev@trenholmstate.edu
- Obtain the following and turn in all documentation with Application:
- Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) – complete the form at this link:https://www.alea.gov/sites/default/files/dl-forms/DLDriverRecordRequest.pdf and take it to the ALEA – Driver License Division located at 301 South Ripley Street, Montgomery 36102.
- DOT Physical and Drug Screening – Click here for locations:
Take This Letter With You
Prior to obtaining drug screen, please contact Kristian McDaniel at 334-420-4411 for additional information. - Valid CDL Learner’s Permit – To obtain a permit, you must pass three written tests at the Driver’s License Office located at 1040 Coliseum Blvd., Montgomery. Test 1: General Knowledge; Test 2: Air Brakes; Test 3: Combination Vehicle. Study Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 in the CDL Manual located at this link: https://www.alea.gov/sites/default/files/inline-files/cdlmanual.pdf
- Students are subject to DOT random drug testing rules.
- Prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to drive trucks and buses, delivery vehicles, for-hire vehicles, and other commercial vehicles, or to instruct commercial vehicle operators
- Operating gas, diesel, or electrically-powered vehicles
- Loading and unloading cargo or passengers
- Reporting delays or accidents on the road
- Verifying load against shipping papers
- Arranging transportation for personnel
- Keeping records of receipts and fares
- Ten (10) seats available for each class
- 6-week course (5 days a week – 30 hours per week - Click here for a specific class calendar
- Training held at Truck Driver Training Facility located at 5420 Troy Highway, Montgomery
- $2,875 for the Class A License class (this includes tuition & books ONLY)
Cost Breakdown: (Students are responsible for these approximated costs)- Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) - $5.75
- Learner’s Permit - $36.25
- License Class A - $66.25
- DOT Physical - $100.00
- Drug Screen - $50.00 - $60.00
- Financial Assistance - 100% of funding is available through the Alabama Career Center. For information regarding eligibility and application for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), find your local career center here: https://www.careercenteroffices.com/center/25/montgomery-career-center/Tell them you are interested in attending the CDL/Truck Driving class at Trenholm State Community College.
- Students receiving financial assistance MUST verify that funds have been awarded before registration.
- Applications, along with all required documents, are accepted daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Truck Driving Facility located at 5420 Troy Highway, Montgomery 36116.
- Application and documents may also be emailed to kmcdaniel@trenholmstate.edu. Once documents are received, you will be contacted regarding payment.
- Acceptable payment methods: Mastercard, Visa or Discover (must be paid through your online student portal); cash, personal check, money order or cashier’s check may be taken in person to the Cashier's Office at the Patterson Site (3920 Troy Highway - Bldg. D) on Monday & Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
- Female applicants that are not eligible for WIOA funding may apply for a Perkins Scholarship. For application/registration information, please send an email request to workforcedev@trenholmstate.edu
- For additional information or questions, please contact Dean Faust, the Program Coordinator/Instructor at 334-420-4406
Application and all required documents are accepted daily from 8:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Truck Driving Facility Located at 5420 Troy Highway Montgomery, AL 36116
OR
Via email: kmcdaniel@trenholmstate.edu
For application/registration information, please send an email request to workforcedev@trenholmstate.edu
Click Here To View The Truck Driving Checklist
Program Brochure
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