Start a Career in Commercial Truck Driving!
Drive your own career and keep America moving forward by joining the legions of commercial truck drivers who are indispensable to our economy.
Earn More!
Earning a Commercial Truck Driving Certificate of Completion will get you ready for the California DMV commercial license examination. Earn more in a job that can take you across the country. Possible careers include:
- Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driving
- School and delivery truck drivers
Commercial truck drivers based in the region are earning an average of up to $55,000 or more annually. What’s more, there is no shortage of jobs in the commercial trucking industry; the says the country is currently facing an estimated shortage of nearly 60,000 commercial truck drivers.
ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ AHC's Commercial Truck Driving Program
ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ Community Education can help you prepare for a California Commercial Learner’s Permit and the behind-the-wheel practical test. Once students complete our tuition-free program, our students will qualify to take the Class A or B California Commercial Driver’s License exam. Students with a California Class A or B license may be eligible for entry-level positions in the trucking industry.
We do not prepare students for endorsements.
Contact:
Delicia Navarette
805-922-6966 ext. 3492
AHCTrucking@hancockcollege.edu
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Part One:
TRCK 7800 - Commercial Truck Driving: Theory Course
*Student Attendance is Mandatory for all courses!
MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING TO BE ELIGIBLE:
- Possess a valid commercial driver learner's permit.
- Attendance to the courses is mandatory.
- Student must be 18 years or older.
- Must know how to drive Stick-shift!
- One unexcused absence will result in removal from the program. A doctor's note is required for absences due to illness. No other absences are excused.
- In accordance with , Drivers must be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.
- This course can be repeated three times.
​
Part Two:
TRCK 7801 - Yard Skills
*A California Drivers License is required!
- Includes pre-trip inspections, air brake system testing, and parking operations.
- Must pass the DOT drug/alcohol test and medical screening. These tests are at a cost to the student. AHC does not pay for them.
- Submit the full/complete Medical Examiner's Report (all pages).
- Provide a DMV 3-year driver history (full report).
- When taking the DMV exams, students must provide proof of social security number.
- Must meet .
- Must meet
AND
TRCK 7802 - Public Road Truck Driving
- Prepares students to take the road skills test required to obtain a California Commercial Driver's License Class A or B.
*(Optional) TRCK 7803 - Commercial Vehicle Simulator Lab
- Use computer-aided simulation technology to provide students with added training in a safe environment.
MUST ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING:
- Successful completion of TRCK 7800 or equivalent.
- Due to the high demand, this course can be repeated two times.
California Minimum Hours of Training (SB 158) |
Class A |
Class B |
Total Training Hours |
30 |
15 |
*There are a minimum of 30 hours for Class A and 15 hours for Class B
*As of February 7, 2022, entry-level drivers must meet the to obtain a CDL. This includes Theory plus minimum hours of Behind-the-Wheel and Yard Skills.
*All DMV fees and DOT screening costs are the responsibility of the entry-level driver (student).
View class schedule list here:
Due to the high demand for the program, trips for DMV testing are limited to two attempts.
Part Three:
DMV CHECKLIST – PERMIT TEST
- Complete your Theory Course – Prep for Permit Class with ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥
- Make an appointment online or at the DMV for your permit test
- Bring your California Driver’s License
- Bring your completed Department of Transportation (DOT) physical report
- Bring a second form of identification
- Complete your CDL application online for the DMV
Link to DMV Webpage:
DMV CHECKLIST – BEHIND THE WHEEL TEST
- Make an appointment with your instructor to meet you at the DMV online:
- Bring your California Driver’s License
- Bring your completed Department of Transportation (DOT) physical report
- Bring a second form of identification
- Upload your behind the wheel hours to the DMV website:
- Link to DMV Webpage:
- Bring a copy of your Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) report
Students who drop for ANY reason or miss one class will be placed at the end of the interest list!
- Are you interested in applying? Add your information to the .
- A generated interest list randomly selects students for enrollment.
- Once selected from the lottery, you will need to attend a Mandatory Orientation.
- Interested students are required to reapply every semester.
- Students are chosen from the interest list at random.
Due to the new California and federal Department of Transportation regulations that come into effect on Feb 7, 2022, all students must meet program requirements BEFORE starting classes. Therefore, the program orientation is mandatory. (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Subtitle B, Chapter III, Subchapter B, Part 380)
Disclaimer: This program is on a lottery system.
(Optional) TRCK 7803 - Commercial Vehicle Simulator Lab
- Use computer-aided simulation technology to provide students with added training in a safe environment.
MUST ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING:
- Successful completion of TRCK 7800 or equivalent.
- Due to the high demand, this course can be repeated two times.
*As of February 7, 2022, entry-level drivers must meet the to obtain a CDL. This includes Theory plus minimum hours of Behind-the-Wheel and Yard Skills.
Does ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ offer endorsements (passenger, doubles/triples, tankers,
hazmat)?
No. Students must apply for these endorsements at the DMV and pay the required fee.
Do I need my permit to join the program?
No. However, students must have a valid permit before starting the behind-the-wheel
training.
I already have my CDL permit. Can I skip the Theory Course (permit class)?
Only if you already hold a valid Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) certificate.
My permit expired. Can I still drive in the program?
No. Students must have a valid CDL permit to participate.
What does CDL stand for?
Commercial Driver License.
Required Documents for Behind-the-Wheel Training
Please submit all documents at once:
- DOT physical (full report and certificate)
- DOT drug test results (staff will notify students when to complete this)
- DOT alcohol test results (staff will notify students when to complete this)
- DMV driver record (staff will notify students when to print this)
- ELDT certificate (automatically issued upon completion of the Theory Course)
- Class A or B permit (can be obtained after completing the Theory Course)
How long is the program?
The program consists of five courses:
- Theory Course (permit class): 16 hours
- Yard Skills: 16 hours
- Public Road: 20 hours
- Simulator Course: Optional, hours vary (link to video)
- DMV Refresher Course: Optional, hours vary
How will I know if I’m enrolled in the program?
Check your email and text messages for updates from ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥. We use
ahctrucking@hancockcollege.edu to communicate with prospective and current students.
What do I need to join the program?
- A valid California driver’s license
- Completion of the interest list form (at the top of the page)
- Watch for email updates with next steps
I have an out-of-state driver’s license. Can I join?
No. All students must have a valid California driver’s license.
Are courses offered in Spanish?
No. Courses are only offered in English at this time.
Can I join the program if I’m under 21?
Yes. However, students under 21 will be restricted to driving within California.
Do I need to know how to drive a stick shift?
No. While prior experience with manual transmission helps, students can earn a license
in an automatic truck. This will place a restriction on their license.
Will I be randomly drug tested?
Yes. Students may be randomly selected for drug testing during the program.
Where does the program take place?
- Theory Course: Santa Maria campus
- Behind-the-wheel training: Lompoc Valley Center
DOT Physical Locations & Pricing
Akeso Occupational Health
Phone: (805) 922-8282
Address: 3070 Skyway Drive, Suite 106, Santa Maria, CA 93455
Website:
Prices:
- DOT physical: $165 (recommended before completion of Theory Course)
- DOT drug test: $82.50 (do not complete until notified)
- DOT alcohol test: $71.50 (do not complete until notified)
* Fees subject to change by the California Department of Transportation and Department of Motor Vehicles.
Do not complete the drug and alcohol tests until you receive instructions from our staff. If completed early, you will need to retest and repay.
Arensdorf Chiropractic
Phone: (805) 346-6700
Address: 912 E. Main St., Santa Maria, CA 93454
Website:
Prices:
- DOT physical: $100 (appointment) or $130 (walk-in)
- Recommended completion by the end of the Theory Course.
* Fees subject to change by the provider.
For more information or a program application, contact AHCTrucking@hancockcollege.edu