Continuing Education

Professional Truck Driving

The Central Texas College Professional Truck Driving Program is a non-credit, Continuing Education program that provides the student with personalized instruction with a curriculum designed to give the student the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in truck driving. Classroom and hands-on instruction are provided by professional, experienced and trained instructors. The program is taught at the Central Texas College central campus in partnership with ATDS Truck Driving School of Killeen, Texas.

 

Initial screening is done at the ATDS office, located at 1001 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Killeen. They can also be reached at 254-432-7534.

The program is 210 clock hours (four weeks) in length, consisting of 70 hours of classroom instruction and 140 hours of practical and behind-the-wheel training. See the program syllabus for additional information.

Tuition: $6995

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Current Schedule

Please contact Continuing Education for current program costs and registration requirements. 

Classroom training includes:

• Department of Transportation (DOT) Rules and Regulations
• Logbooks
• Safety

Range Training and Testing (conducted at an off-campus site) includes:

• Vehicle Inspection
• Operation and Maintenance
• Starting and Stopping
• Shifting and Clutch Control
• Coupling and Uncoupling
• Straight-Line Backing
• Parallel Parking
• Sight-Side Backing
• 45- and 90-degree Backing

Over-the-road training is conducted on public roads and highways. Students will be exposed to light, moderate and heavy traffic. The student will be evaluated on turning, freeway entry and exit, merging and traffic lane changes and safe driving techniques. In addition, students will demonstrate PTI procedures and a 14-point brake system check. Night driving, short-haul and long-distance driving is included.

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Benefits of our Truck Driving school include:

• Approved 3rd Party Testing Facility.
• Only use 1 month of VA benefits.
• Approximately 95% job placement through school.
• Potential dedicated triangle run; be home on weekends!
• Potentially $65k starting pay with benefits.
• Partners with Warner, TMC, Schneider, and Maverick trucking companies.

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Job Outlook for Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $45,260 in May 2019. 

According to the US Bureau of Transportation (USDOT), over 11 billion tons of freight move by truck each year. This number will grow, so skilled brokers are needed to keep the industry moving.

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Job Outlook for Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the median annual wage for driver/sales workers was $25,860 and the median annual wage for light truck drivers was $34,730, both in May 2019. Overall employment of delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by occupation.

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FAQs about Truck Drivers

WHAT DO HEAVY AND TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCK DRIVERS  DO?

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers typically do the following:

• Drive long distances
• Report any incidents encountered on the road to a dispatcher
• Follow all applicable traffic laws
• Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chains, or covers
• Inspect their trailers before and after the trip and record any defects they find 
• Maintain a log of their working hours, following all federal and state regulations
• Report serious mechanical problems to the appropriate people
• Keep their trucks and associated equipment clean and in good working order

WHAT DO DRIVER / SALES WORKERS DO?

Driver/sales workers are delivery drivers who also have sales responsibilities. They recommend new products to businesses and solicit new customers. These drivers may have a regular delivery route and be responsible for adding new clients located along their route. For example, they may make regular deliveries to a hardware store and encourage the store’s manager to offer a new product.

Some driver/sales workers use their own vehicles to deliver goods to customers, such as takeout food, and accept payment for those goods. Freelance or independent driver/sales workers may use smartphone apps to find specific delivery jobs.

WHAT DO LIGHT TRUCK DRIVERS DO?

Light truck drivers, often called pickup and delivery or P&D drivers, are the most common type of delivery driver. They drive small trucks or vans from distribution centers to delivery locations. Drivers make deliveries based on a set schedule. Some drivers stop at the distribution center once only, in the morning, and make many stops throughout the day. Others make multiple trips between the distribution center and delivery locations. Some drivers make deliveries from a retail location to customers.

WHAT KIND OF EMPLOYEERS DO TRUCK DRIVERS WORK FOR?

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers held about 2.0 million jobs in 2019. The largest employers of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers were as follows:

Truck transportation	44%
Wholesale trade	12
Self-employed workers	8
Manufacturing	7
Construction	6

Working as a long-haul truck driver is a lifestyle choice because these drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time. They spend much of this time alone. Driving a truck can be a physically demanding job as well. Driving for many consecutive hours can be tiring, and some drivers must load and unload cargo.