Course Timeline

Week One – 40 hours classroom

During the first week, we’ll cover the following important skills and topics. Introduction to Trucking, Control Systems, Hours of Service, Vehicle Inspection, Vehicle Systems, Basic Control, Shifting, Backing, Coupling and Uncoupling, Visual Search, Communication, Space Management, Speed Management, Night Driving, Extreme Driving Conditions, Hazard Awareness, Emergency Maneuvers, Skid Control, Accident Procedures, Fifth Wheel, Special Rigs Maintenance, Recognizing and Report Malfunctions, Handling Cargo, Personal Health, Trip Planning, Public Relations, and CDL. We’ll cover these topics with a variety of instructional methods, including tapes, lectures, demonstrations, and bookwork. During this week, you’ll also be tested on all subjects covered. Once you have completed the first week of classroom, you will have received a broad theory in the above subjects. These theories will be applied during your field training. You’ll also be prepared to take your DMV permit and endorsements tests.

Week Two – 40 hours. Field Training and Lab

In the first week of field training and lab, we’ll work both around the truck and on the range/road. In our lab time, we’ll cover vehicle Inspection, vehicle systems, fifth wheel, preventative maintenance, recognizing and reporting malfunctions, pre-trip, log books, trip planning, emergency maneuvers, tire chains, and load securement.

Range Training/Road Training

On the range and road, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable with straight line backing, 90′ backing, shifting up and down, parallel parking, throttle and clutch control, and cornering techniques. Once you have completed the above training, you should be able to complete vehicle inspection, describe engine controls, recognize malfunctions, complete a log book, perform emergency maneuvers, chain up a vehicle and secure a load, shifting up and down, and locking and unlocking fifth wheel. You will also start to master the following skills: straight line backing, 90 backing, parallel backing, and cornering techniques.

Week Three – 40 hours. Field and Lab

During the third week, we’ll make sure you continue to develop your skills.

• Students will continue on backing skills and measured turns.
• Students will become more proficient at shifting, throttle and clutch control, and cornering techniques.
• Students will drive in light traffic, pre-trip, in-cab inspections, log books, lane control, and speed/space management.

Week Four – 40 hours.

During week four, we’ll work on all your skills to make sure you are ready for the test and the road.

• Pre-trip, log books, in-cab inspections.
• Working on backing skills, measured turns, space management, lane control, entering and exiting freeways, starting on an incline, medium traffic, heavy traffic, and city traffic.

EVALUATION AND GRADING Student performance will be evaluated on the following:

• CDL permit with optional endorsements (taken at Driver’s License Center)
• Classroom exams with at least 80% average
• Range/Driving exams
• Pre-trip inspection
• Air brake check
• Performance of range skills – straight line back, simulated alley dock, sight side and blind side parallel, reverse serpentine
• Driving skills
• Commercial Driver’s License Test

Text(s) and Required Supplies

• Trucking: Tractor-trailer Driver Handbook/Workbook. 4th Ed. Delmar Cengage Pub., 2017.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Pocketbook. J.J. Keller and Assoc., Nov. 2017.
• Drivers” Daily Log. J.J. Keller and Assoc., 2017.
• Motor Carrier Road Atlas. Rand McNally, 2017.
• Washington state Commercial Driver”s Manual. 2018.