Tractor / Trailer Driving Course
PDA offers a specialty course for a diploma:
Classroom Instruction
By the use of small, informal classroom situations, short homework assignments, personal attention to each student's individual needs and varied audio-visual aids, we are able to cover the most important aspects needed by today's drivers. Some of the subjects covered during approximately 110 hours of classroom training are: Orientation, Trucking Nomenclature, Industry Makeup, U. S. DOT Regulations, Driver's Daily Logs, Hours of Service, Vehicle Components and Operation, First Aid Training, Transmissions and Shifting, Defensive Driving, Accident Prevention and Reporting, Freight Documents and Map Reading. A quiz or test is given to insure the retention of the information follows most classroom lecture and homework. The latest information on the Commercial Drivers License is provided and incorporated into our program of instruction. Students will be prepared, during instruction, to pass all aspects of the CDL knowledge tests.
Lot Training
The basics of truck driving are taught by careful step by step introduction to the equipment, combining classroom and practice lot vehicle familiarization, with pre-trip inspections, forward maneuvering, coupling and uncoupling. The students' backing techniques are built slowly, starting with straight line backing, then progressing through arc back corner backs, alley docking, and parallel parking. During the lot training, each person encounters rodeo type obstacles and can sharpen his or her maneuvering techniques in close quarters. The combination of classroom and lot training totaling the first 5 weeks of school are concluded with the student's first experience with a tractor trailer on the public highways. During this preliminary road test, each trainee's progress and ability will be evaluated.
On-the-Road Training
After successful completion of the classroom and lot training, students are assigned to experienced road instructors who drive in actual over-the-road hauling situations. All road training takes place where the candidate can observe proper operating techniques and practice his own driving skills on modern equipment in an actual job-like atmosphere. Any trucker will tell you that experience is the best teacher and at Professional Drivers Academy, most graduates average upwards of 650 miles (behind the wheel) in the 8 week course.
CDL third party testing
After successfully completing your training, you can now test with us to obtain your CDL license. You can also test if you do not need training and have the hours and miles you need for obtaining your CDL.
Class Schedule
Class #270 - October 23, 2023
Class #271 - January 2, 2024
Class #272 - February 19, 2024
Class #273 - April 8, 2024
Class #274 - May 27, 2024
Class #275 - July 15, 2024
Class #276 - September 3, 2024
Class #277 - October 21, 2024
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8 WEEK CLASS
Weeks 1-5 8:00 am-4:30 pm Monday thru Friday
Weeks 6-8 Variable Road Training Starts at 7:00am- 3:30pm Monday Thru Friday
POLICY NOTE: All dates are subject to change for reasons beyond our control. In no case will the extent of training be diminished and in such cases all parties involved would be given ample notice. Please direct questions on this topic to the administrator @ 1-570-523-3100.