Truck Driver I is a Certificate program offered by Center for Employment Training in El Centro, CA. The program takes 10 weeks (300 clock hours) to complete, with a total tuition of $5,875.
Program Overview
The Truck Driver I program will prepare students to obtain their Class A CDL in order to find employment as an over-the-road truck driver, van driver, tanker driver, or heavy and light truck driver. This accelerated course will cover all requirements of truck drivers including compliance, safety, and accountability as required by FMCSR as well as safe operating procedures, maintenance, and license preparation. Students will learn Department of Transportation rules and regulations as they pertain to truck driving, how to safely operate a semi-truck and trailer, mapping, and e-log book rules and requirements.
What Sets This Program Apart
Enrollment Requirements: The design of the Truck Driver I program requires that the applicant possess a valid Commercial Driver Instruction Permit (CDIP) prior to starting this program. Additionally, it requires applicant agreement by signature (see enrollment agreement) to meet Department of Transportation (DOT) and CET requirements.
Admission Requirements & Process
Get the skills you need for a job you love. CET’s hands-on training and industry connections help students of all backgrounds create a better life through better work. Our admission process is simple, and with open enrollment there’s no need to wait for the semester or quarter – you can enroll today and start job training right away.
General Requirements
- Minimum AgeCET’s doors are open to anyone 18 years of age and older who wants to learn a skill for placement into a job. Those younger than 18 years of age (but not younger than 16) may be…
- No Academic RequirementsCET does not have academic requirements for admission into any of the programs it offers. No previous academic experience is required, and CET provides the necessary general…
- CASAS AssessmentCET uses the CASAS assessment (paper-based and eTest) to determine baseline reading and math skills.
- Identification DocumentsDriver’s License or other official picture I.D., Social Security Card, and Proof of Citizenship/Residency (original Birth Certificate, Passport, Permanent Resident Card, or…
- Proof of IncomeLast two years’ Federal Income Tax Return of applicant and spouse, if married, or parent(s’) Income Tax Return; proof of other income (SSI, Disability, Workers Comp., etc.); and…
- Selective Service RegistrationProof of Selective Service Registration, if born on or after 1/1/1960, or proof of exemption. Emergency alternate contacts of close relatives (address, telephone and/or cell phone…
- Commercial Driver Instruction PermitThe design of the Truck Driver I program requires that the applicant possess a valid Commercial Driver Instruction Permit (CDIP) prior to starting this program.
- California Class C LicenseMust possess a California Class C Driver’s License. Applicants agree by signature on the enrollment agreement to meet Department of Transportation (DOT) and CET requirements.
- DOT Physical ExamMust pass the Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical Exam before behind the wheel driving.
- Insurance ApprovalMust be approved by the Center for Employment Training Liability Insurance Company.
- Drug TestingMust pass a Drug Test before behind the wheel driving and randomly administered throughout the program.
- Motor Vehicle Report ReviewA Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) covering a minimum of ten years will be reviewed by the Truck Driving Instructor, Center Director and Human Resources Department. Students with an MVR…
Application Process
- 1Meet with an Admissions AdvisorDiscuss your interests and discover which program makes the most sense for you. When an initial inquiry is made, you are scheduled to attend a general information session presented by an Admissions Advisor. To get the most out of your first appointment, bring proof of income, an ID or driver’s license, your Social Security card, your high school diploma, GED, foreign equivalency or ATB, and your residency card (if applicable).
- 2Discuss Payment OptionsThis program is not eligible for federal aid (Title IV – Pell Grants and Student Loans). CET currently offers a variety of options that may cover the program costs. Meet with a financial aid advisor to discuss what options may be available to you.
- 3Review Program DetailsAfter you select your program and possible financial aid, the Instructor/Advisor provides a formal presentation of the program and goes over the start date, tuition, tools and textbooks provided, and information about the school.
- 4Enroll and Start TrainingCongratulations! With CET’s open enrollment there’s no need to wait for the semester or quarter – your job training program starts right away. You have the right to cancel the enrollment agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first class session, or the 10th class-day after enrollment, whichever is later.
Cost of Attendance & Financial Aid
The governing campus catalog publishes $5,875.00 as Total Charges and states that this is program tuition; no additional tuition is assessed for students completing within the stated window. Required books/e-books and specified uniforms or protective equipment are included, subject to the catalog's opt-out limits. CET participates in federal student-aid programs for eligible students.
Curriculum
- Introduction to Tractor-Trailer Driving — 40 hours
- Safe Operating Procedures — 80 hours
- Fundamentals of Vehicle Maintenance — 45 hours
- Truck Driver Accountability — 45 hours
- State License Preparation — 70 hours
- Job Preparedness — 20 hours
- Total Hours of Instruction — 300
All programs are open enrollment; competency completion varies among students.
The required courses below are from Center for Employment Training's published catalog.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
Job Placement Assistance
CET job developers work with students to prepare them to obtain jobs through the preparation of resumes, applications, and mock interviews. Career Service Specialists work with local industry to match CET trainees to available jobs. CET does not guarantee job placement, but does actively help job-ready individuals to find training-related jobs, follows up on students who leave the program and continues to offer additional placement assistance to those in need. In addition, CET prepares students to identify job opportunities and to compete in the job market on their own.
Job Retention Follow-Up
It is the policy of CET to maintain records of graduates and withdrawals from the program and provide post-training follow-up services to all former students. Follow-up activities include assistance primarily to ensure job procurement; employment retention, and gathering of employment data of former students; and dissemination of information on opportunities for further education. Each of CET's programs prepares the students for occupations that are in demand in the local labor market. The programs are designed in close cooperation with local employers to ensure that CET graduates fill industry needs.
What to Expect as a CET Student
Holistic Approach
Since inception, CET's fundamental purpose was to develop and implement an effective method for training a diverse and needy population. The program therefore is designed as holistic, comprehensive, individualized, and adaptable to each person's needs.
Technical Skill Training
CET offers its students an open-entry, open-exit, competency-based employment training program. All instruction is in English. The program is individualized and covers the learning necessary for the desired occupational goals. A student advances along his/her/their own individual training plan, moving through academic and technical competencies, as he/she/they demonstrate the required mastery. The training includes a strong hands-on component using tools and equipment similar to those found in industry. CET promotes good work habits through simulation of a business environment. Attendance and punctuality are always required in recognition of their importance on the job.
Integrated Basic Skills & Human Development
CET provides contextualized academic instruction to all students. Vocational English and foundational education are systematically integrated into the skill training curriculum and are delivered within the framework of the specific occupational program in which the student is enrolled. Students' work habits, behavioral patterns, and communication skills often have as much impact on job success as does technical knowledge. In order to prepare students for the demands of the world of work, CET provides a Human Development component, with instruction in life skills, communication strategies, situations on the job, and informational sessions by professionals on topics such as general health, parenting, and budgeting.
Location
Accreditation & Approvals
CET is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and approved to operate in California by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).