Begin your commercial driving career with CDL training
If you’re looking to venture out in a career as a commercial driver, it’s important to know the right steps to get the wheels turning.
Martin Garsee, Houston Community College’s program director of transportation, said to complete the Commercial Driver’s License program, students need a current Class C driver’s license with no holds, warrants, suspensions, or surcharges.
With a CDL, there are multiple opportunities for a career path.
“A person with a Class A CDL, what we train for, will be able to drive an ‘18-wheeler,’ garbage truck, delivery driver — anything that requires a Class A or Class B CDL,” said Garsee. “To drive a school bus, you must take the skills test in a school bus and pass two additional knowledge tests. To drive a coach bus, you must take the skills test in a bus, and take one additional knowledge test.”
HCC’s CDL training courses are offered at six weeks for a full-time student and 12 weeks for a part-time student. Upon completion, students must pass required tests to receive a CDL from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
In the Houston area, CDL training is also offered by San Jacinto College and Lone Star College.
Tony Rich, director of applied trades at San Jacinto College, said students receive approximately 200 miles of behind-the-wheel driving, pulling, and loading trailers. Vehicle maintenance, Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and driving courtesy are covered. CVOP 5300(Professional Truck Driver I) and 5301 courses (Professional Truck Driver II) are taken concurrently.
“Completion of this noncredit program earns the student both an occupational certificate and a DOT certificate. Financial assistance is available through veterans’ affairs and the applied trades division of San Jacinto College’s Continuing and Professional Development,” said Rich.
Training and cost
San Jacinto College’s classes meet Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. for six weeks. Weekend classes (contingent on enrollment) meet Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. for 12 weeks.
Students receive a variety of information in their training.
Garsee said there are four written/knowledge tests to receive the Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) in order to begin the driving portion of the training.
“The four test areas are general knowledge, air brake, special requirements, and combination vehicles. A lot of the material needed is in the TX DPS Handbook. At HCC, we use a textbook with additional information, plus other instructional material to give the student a better chance of success,” he said.
Behind-the-wheel training then prepares students for the DPS test that consists of pre-trip and an air brake test, straight line backing, offset backing, parallel parking test, and a road test. The test is broken down in three components that are graded separately and must be passed to move to the next step.
“If you do not pass the skills test, your application will be held in the driver license office for 90 days from the date of your initial application. After 90 days, or three failed tests, a new application and fee must be submitted,” said Rich.
Prices vary for instruction.
HCC training that includes the cost of license, books, DOT physical and drug test, use of truck for testing and all training is $3,950. The cost of a CDL license is $72 dollars. SJC’s approximate outlay for each student is $4,170.