Commercial Drivers

Program Overview

Piedmont Virginia Community College offers a Commercial Drivers Program in partnership with Shipper's Choice of Virginia. The program prepares students for careers as commercial truck drivers, bus drivers, and related positions. Students learn to operate various commercial vehicles, including tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and buses. The program includes classroom instruction, equipment checks, range practice, and on-the-road driving, and students must pass a behind-the-wheel road exam to receive a certificate.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Program: Commercial Drivers - Class A Tractor Trailer
• Description: This program prepares students for a career as a commercial truck driver.
Students learn how to operate tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles, including safety checks, manual shifting skills, and backing maneuvers.
• Hours: 160
• Additional Skills Practice: May be required before students are approved to attempt the road exam.
• Partner: Shipper's Choice of Virginia
• Program: Commercial Drivers - Class B Truck
• Description: This program prepares students for a career as a commercial truck driver.
Students learn how to operate automatic/manual dump trucks, straight trucks, and trucks towing vehicles up to 10,000 pounds.
• Hours: 120
• Additional Skills Practice: May be required before students are approved to attempt the road exam.
• Partner: Shipper's Choice of Virginia
• Program: Commercial Drivers - Class B Bus
• Description: This program prepares students for a career as a commercial bus driver.
Students learn how to operate automatic transmission Class B vehicles, including buses.
• Hours: 120
• Additional Skills Practice: May be required before students are approved to attempt the road exam.
• Partner: Shipper's Choice of Virginia

Assessment:

• Students must successfully complete the program and pass the behind-the-wheel road exam for the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to receive a certificate.
• Additional skills practice may be required before students are approved to attempt the road exam.

Teaching:

• The program is offered in partnership with Shipper's Choice of Virginia.
• The program uses a combination of classroom instruction, equipment and safety checks, range practice, and on-the-road driving.
• The program is taught by experienced instructors who are certified to teach commercial driver training.

Careers:

• Graduates of the program can pursue careers as commercial truck drivers, bus drivers, and other related positions.
• The program can help students prepare for the CDL exam and develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the transportation industry.
• The job outlook for commercial truck drivers is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Other:

• Students must be at least 18 years of age on the first day of class.
• Students must meet minimum essential functions and standards for the program.
• Students must attend a coaching appointment and/or information session prior to enrollment.
• Students must complete an interview with the program director (or designee) prior to enrollment.
• Students must provide a copy of a valid driver's license prior to enrollment and present the actual driver's license for inspection at the first class session.
• Students must earn and provide a copy of the CDL learner's permit (obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles) prior to enrollment.
• Students must complete and provide a copy of an acceptable Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) physical exam prior to enrollment.
• Students must complete and provide negative urine drug screen results prior to enrollment.
• Students must complete all funding assistance paperwork (if applicable) prior to enrollment.
• English Language Learners (ELL/ESL): If English is not the first language, prospective students must complete a CASAS assessment with an acceptable score prior to program admission.