Commercial Driver's License (Evening & Weekend)

You will train to earn your class A CDL license and connect with industry leads and hiring companies to jump start your job search.

Two training ranges in southwestern PA, Monessen and Connellsville. ELDT-approved curriculum. Manual transmissions, pre-trip inspections, backing maneuvers, highway and rural driving.

Objective. The students will be prepared to sit for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania CDL Class “A” and tanker endorsement permit. Upon obtaining their permits, students will be given hands-on experience driving a commercial vehicle in preparation for taking their Commonwealth of Pennsylvania CDL Class “A” and tanker endorsement examination, and will be afforded the opportunity to take the exam as a part of the course.

Skills you’ll walk out with.

• Properly shift on different manual transmissions
• Drive safely on highways, rural and intercity roads
• Do backing maneuvers (alley dock, parallel, straight)
• Do pre-trip inspection techniques
• Read maps in relation to a commercial vehicle
• Accurately complete drivers' daily log books
• Create viable trip routes

Train where you live. DEC operates CDL ranges in Monessen and Connellsville, PA. Both ELDT-approved, both staffed by industry-experienced instructors.

ELDT Training Center. DEC is listed on the official FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR); when you complete your training, DEC directly uploads your graduation records to the federal database.

Three exam attempts. Students taking the Commercial Driver’s License course will have three (3) attempts to pass this certification.

A prospective student seeking admission to DEC must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) Diploma or recognized equivalency certificate. All programs require successful completion of the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Examination with a minimum score of 17. DEC admits, trains and refers students without regard to race, religion, age, national origin, sex or handicap. DEC is not authorized to enroll international students. Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license, pass a DOT medical examination for a CDL, be able to pass DOT drug testing, and provide the identification and proof of residency required for a PA CDL permit. DEC advises applicants of Federal Motor Carrier regulations for students and graduates under the age of 21.

The Commercial Driver’s License course may also be offered on weekends and evenings. If offered, the course will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, and Saturdays from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM, with a 30-minute break for lunch. This program is also approved to be taught evenings and weekends on a part-time (10 week) basis as determined by enrollment. The school’s online application lists an evening/weekend start on December 8, 2026.

Classes start approximately every 10 weeks (Evening/Weekend). Additional start dates may be offered based upon interest and availability.

Cost and fees (Catalog Vol. 69). Tuition is $6,900. Program totals: application fee $50, registration fee $100, books $15, supplies $50 and Equipment and Operation Fee (CDL) $600, for a program total of $7,715. Program costs include one drug screening.

Per credit. $990/credit when a student attends less than 12 or more than 17 credits per term.

Funding. Yes, financial aid is available to those who qualify. Funding options may include private financing options, Veterans’ Education Benefits, and agency-sponsored funding (e.g. CareerLink & Office of Vocational Rehabilitation). Payment options: pay in full before the first day of class, or 50% before the first day and the remaining 50% in 2 equal installments.

Payment. DEC accepts financial aid, agency funding (Veterans, Vocational Rehabilitation, job retraining benefits), cash, check, credit card and online payment at www.dec.edu/pay. Payment schedules are interest-free and do not extend beyond the semester or instructional period.

Veterans. DEC is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the training of veterans; eligible students may use the GI Bill® at DEC.

Companies across the United States are always looking for qualified Class “A” CDL drivers to transport their goods locally or nationally.

Hauling for. Companies across southwestern Pennsylvania have employed DEC graduates, including Pepsi Beverages Company, Schneider National, United Parcel Service, United States Post Office, US Foods, Werner, Western Express, Prime Trucking Inc. and Performance Food Services.

Student outcomes. As reported to ACCSC in its 2025 Annual Report (reporting date July 1, 2025; cohort 12/23–11/24): graduation rate 93%, employment rate 78%, licensure rate 93%.

Skilled Trades Center. 30 Donner Place is a multipurpose facility which has been designed and developed to facilitate many options for education. The skilled trade programs are held here while the CDL and Heavy Equipment program will also have off-site locations for driving. Along with classrooms and computer labs, the building contains required equipment for each Skilled Trade program. This includes designated areas for Electrical and HVAC-R operations with necessary machinery, truck driving simulators, and replicas of many items used on a job site.

Career Services for life. DEC graduates have access to Career Services for life at no cost. The team works with students from the time they begin their program through graduation and after, helping with resumes, portfolios, mock interviews and job search strategies.