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Professional Truck Driver Training

Welcome

The Professional Truck Driver Training Program at Southeast Community College has been in operation since 1974. The program started with four truck tractors and Four trailers, and was originally located off campus.

In 1985 the college built an addition to the main building on the Lincoln Campus to provide a lab area, classroom and parking for the truck tractors. A 5/8 mile long perimeter road was also constructed at this time. This allows the student to develop basic driving skills in a controlled environment , before moving onto the street. Also constructed at this time was a 500 by 250 foot backing range.

As changes developed in the trucking industry it became obvious that the equipment used in training was out of date. The College Board approved the purchase of a new truck tractor each year, and used trailers when possible. At the present time the program has a fleet of nine truck tractors and eleven trailers. Truck tractors range in age from 1991 to 2003. Students practice with Detroit Diesel , Caterpillar , and Mack engines. Transmissions used include 10 speed , 9 speed , and Super 10 speed models. Most trailers are 48 feet long , and the program has one 53 foot trailer with plans to add others in the future.

Training is focused on “ Hands On “ training. Total classroom time is 100 hours, and lab and behind the wheel training amounts to 240 hours. Most students will log 2,000 to 2,500 driving miles during training.

The program has trained in excess of 2,500 students since it inception. Job placement for the program has ranged from 88% to 97%. The outlook for Professional Driving jobs is excellent with trucking industry demand expected to grow in the future.

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Overview

Requirements for graduation • Certificate: 18.0 credit hours

The Professional Truck Driver Training Program is a one quarter ( 10 ½ week ) intensive truck driving course. The student will learn to operate articulated vans and flatbed tractor trailer units. Training includes classroom/lab instruction and driving on city streets and rural roads, two lane and interstate highways.

Students perfect driving skills on the private Southeast Community College concourse and perimeter road before progressing to highway driving.

Topics of instruction covered during training include: Accident procedures, daily driver’s log, trip planning, hazard perception, speed management, vehicle inspection, extreme driving conditions, hands-on-defensive driving and skills development in coupling and uncoupling, backing, shifting, and city and highway driving

All tuition, fees, and required books are the responsibility of the student.

Scheduling and time commitment

Students are assigned to either the first or second shift by the program. Students assigned to the first shift are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m..

Students assigned to the second shift attend 15 days of Classroom from 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. During the remaining 39 days of the quarter students assigned to the second shift attend class from 1:30 - 8 p.m.

The second shift may not be offered each quarter.

Financial Aid

Due to the length of the program financial aid is not available for this course.

Housing

The Lincoln Campus has no on campus housing available.

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Mission

Division Mission Statement:
The mission of the Transportation Occupations Division of Southeast Community College is to prepare individuals for careers in a variety of transportation service fields.

Professional Truck Driver Training Program Mission Statement:
The mission of the Professional Truck Driver Training program is to prepare individuals for a career in the truck driving industry.

Program Goals:

1. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of the vehicle parts and systems that the truck operator needs to inspect to assure vehicle safety.
   
   
2. The student will be able to demonstrate sufficient skill level in backing the tractor trailer unit .
   
   
3. The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to operate the tractor trailer unit in a safe and competent manner.
   
   
4. The student will demonstrate the ability to maintain the driver’s daily log , and other paperwork required of the driver.
   
   
5. The student will develop proper attendance habits, which will allow him/her to succeed in the trucking industry.

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Requirements

Below is the guide for a student to complete an award in Professional Truck Driver Training.

Special requirements of this program prior to start of class:

1. Valid motor vehicle operator's license.
2. Copy of driving record for the past five years from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
3. Physically qualified under Department of Transportation regulations.
   Physician to complete a D.O.T. form.
4. Minimum age of 18 years.*
5. Drug screen required.
6. High School Diploma or GED.
7. Acceptance into the program may be contingent on the quality of the driving record. All reviews will be made by the program.
   
   

*Employment opportunities require the applicant to be at least 21 years old to work in Interstate Commerce, and at least 23 years old for insurance requirements with some commercial carriers.


Attendance
Punctual and regular attendance is required. Any class session missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity for learning and can affect the grade received. For these reasons, attendance for the class is mandatory and there are no excused absences. A student who accumulates three ( 3 ) absences will be put on attendance probation. A student who misses any additional time after being placed on attendance probation will fail the class or be given the opportunity to withdraw from the class, in accordance with established college guidelines.

An accumulation of 3 times late for class, or leaving class early will be considered one absence. A student will be counted tardy after 10 minutes from the established start of the class.

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Student Responsibilities

• Be responsible for program prerequisites : drug screen , DOT physical.
• Maintain attendance standards according to college and program policies.
• Follow designated safety procedures while on campus and operating college equipment on public roadways.
• Participate in all learning activities at the scheduled times.
• Be responsible for program costs: Tuition , fees and books.
• Be responsible for costs of CDL learners permit and license.