The Advanced CDL Program is designed to provide the student with the skills and competencies necessary to perform entry-level truck driving duties and be able to establish self-employment as an owner operator. Through hands-on experience the student will be able to safely operate a tractor-trailer by the end of the course. Students will also learn how to complete necessary paperwork required of truck drivers, as well as be educated on the regulations that govern the truck driving industry. The student will also master the legal parameters of establishing a truck driving company. The graduate will qualify for employment as a truck driver, driver, tractor-trailer operator for private carriers, short haul trucking companies, and distributors and will also have the knowledge to become a self-employment owner operator.
The Advanced CDL for the Entrepreneur Program offers a total of 640 hours of student instruction, which includes 450 hours of classroom lecture/exercises and 190 hours of lab (includes, but is not limited to simulations, observations, behind the wheel and range driving). Note: Behind the wheel instruction is conducted with groups of students per driving shift.
IT-100 Introduction to Commercial Driving – The student will master a working knowledge of the trucking industry especially from an owner operator perspective. The student will be able to explain why the trucking industry is vital to our nation’s economy, and the rules and regulations under which our industry operates. The student will also learn how to establish DBA, communication between carriers and shippers, obtaining Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and US Department of Transportation (USDOT) motor carrier numbers as well as legal parameters for tractor trailer owner operators.
Prerequisites: None.
80/0/0 Clock Hours: 80 Quarter Credit Hours: 8.0
GK-100 General Knowledge – The student will master and be able to identify engine controls, primary vehicle controls and secondary vehicle controls. The student will also be able to name, locate and describe the function of the controls for the following: starting and shutting down the engine, shifting, accelerating, braking and parking. The student will also master day and night time driving.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Commercial Driving
90/30/0 Clock Hours: 120 Quarter Credit Hours: 10.5
SEP-100 Safety and Emergency Procedures – The student will master the importance of recognizing hazards early and any clues that will tell a driver when other road users or obstructions may become a possible safety hazard. The student will also be able to think ahead in order to avoid possible driving emergencies. The student will also understand responsibilities associated with ownership of a tractor trailer.
Prerequisites: General Knowledge
30/10/ Clock Hours: 40 Quarter Credit Hours: 3.5
CH-100 Cargo Handling – The student will master the correct methods for loading cargo and distributing the weight of the load evenly as well as legal implications for an owner operator. They will also learn the basics of general freight and information regarding cargo requiring special handling such as liquids in bulk, livestock and unstable loads.
Prerequisites: Safety and Emergency Procedures
35/5/0 Clock Hours: 40 Quarter Credit Hours: 3.5
PI-100 Pre-Trip Inspections – The student will be able to recognize damage, loose or missing parts of a commercial motor vehicle. They will also learn the understanding and use of federal and state regulations for inspections and be able to describe and explain the functions and relationship of the different vehicle systems. The student will also learn the responsibilities of federal and state regulations as well as owner operator’s legal responsibilities.
Prerequisites: Cargo Handling
60/20/0 Clock Hours: 80 Quarter Credit Hours: 7.0
AB-100 Air Brakes Comprehension – The student will be able to recognize air brake system parts, name locate and describe the function of the controls for the air brake system. The student will also learn how to describe the acceptable operating range for driving air brake commercial motor vehicles.
Prerequisites: Pre-Trip Inspections
35/5/0 Clock Hours: 40 Quarter Credit Hours: 3.5
TP-100 Trip Planning – The student will be able to record time and activities while on the road, make entries in a logbook and know what information must be included and compute on-duty hours and required rest stops while on the road. The student will be able to explain how to locate the starting point and destination of a trip and map, plan trip routes, know how to obtain necessary permits and describe the different types of enforcement procedures. The student will master destination planning in order to operate an effective transportation company.
Prerequisites: Air Brakes Comprehension
30/10/0 Clock Hours: 40 Quarter Credit Hours: 3.5
PER-100 Personal Health and Employee Relations – The student will be able to understand the physical demands of a truck driver’s job as well as causes and cures for fatigue. The student will understand the effects of alcohol consumption on the body, lifting objects safely and understanding how stress can cause accidents. The student will also master interviewing skills and the importance of employee relations as well as appropriate contact with potential contractors.
Prerequisites: Trip Planning
55/20/0 Clock Hours: 75 Quarter Credit Hours: 6.5
AP-100 Advanced Driving Practices – The student will master advanced methods of operating a tractor and trailer, on the road speed management and space management. The student will also understand the effect of speed on the tractor trailer weight, center or gravity and stability through hands on driving as well as observation. The student will also master straight line backing, parallel parking, 45° parking, 90° parking as well as blind-side back procedures.
Prerequisites: Advanced Driving Practices
30/90/0 Clock Hours: 120 Quarter Credit Hours: 7.5
HTR-100 Human Trafficking – The student will learn basic information about human trafficking as well as who can be trafficked and major types of human trafficking. The student will also be able to identify potential victims of human trafficking as well as be able to distinguish the difference between trafficking and illegal immigration.
Prerequisites: None
5/0/0 Clock Hours: 5 Quarter Credit Hours: 0.5
Tuition and Fees:
Registration: $100.00 Tuition: $11,443.00 Examiner Fees: $500.00 Drug Test Fee: $48.00 DOT Physical Fee: $68.00 Commercial Learner's Permit Fee: $25.00 License Fee: $61.00 MVR: $8.00 Total Cost: $12,253.00 (Subject to change) (Course Qualifies for Financial Aid)
