Program Curriculum

CDL driver sitting at the wheel of a semi truck

Our Program

We have contracted with J.J. Keller Transportation Safety and DOT training. This way, we can ensure that the safety and compliance needs of our students are being met. These are the chapter breakdowns of their theory instruction. We will be utilizing print, videos, and PowerPoint presentations.

This course is broken down into two areas: classroom and range. The classroom is approximately 50 hours. Range and BTW (behind the wheel) are 110 hours, for a total of 160 hours over a four-week period. The program is designed to prepare an individual to enter the job market as a professional truck driver.

During this course, students will learn all Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier rules and regulations as they pertain to a professional driver. They will also learn all the necessary functions as it relates to the safe operation of a tractor/trailer combination. This will include actual driving as well as all other procedures a driver needs to know, such as pre-trip inspection, logbooks, paperwork, and accident procedures.

Along with this, the course also teaches driving techniques such as defensive driving and driving in inclement weather. Each chapter takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete.

Coursework

Learn about the trucking industry and the different qualifications.

  • Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  • Introduction
  • Welcome to the trucking industry
  • Interstate vs. intrastate
  • A regulated industry
  • Getting your commercial driver’s license (CDL)
  • Driver qualifications
  • Driver disqualification
  • Alcohol and drug testing
  • The commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
  • Size and weight limitations
  • Key learnings
  • Orientation quiz answer key

Learn about the dashboard and controls.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Engine controls
  •  Primary vehicle controls
  •  Secondary vehicle controls
  •  Vehicle instruments
  •  Warning devices
  •  Key learnings
  •  Control systems/dashboard quiz answer key

Learn about the importance of pre, post, and on-the-road inspections.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  The importance of inspections
  •  Inspection locations
  •  Types of required inspections
  •  Pre-trip inspection (392.7, 392.8, 396.13)
  •  On-the-road inspection (392.9)
  •  Post-trip inspection (396.11)
  •  Special rigs
  •  Key learnings
  •  Pre and post-trip inspections quiz answer key

Learn the basic operation of a semi.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Starting, warming up, and shutting down
  •  Putting the vehicle in motion and stopping
  •  Straight-line backing
  •  Turning
  •  Key learnings
  •  Basic control quiz answer key

Learn the elements of shifting.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Key elements of shifting
  •  Shifting gears
  •  Key learnings
  •  Shifting/operating transmissions quiz answer key

Learn basic backing maneuvers.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Backing dangers
  •  General backing guidelines
  •  Steering principles
  •  Sight side and blindside backing
  •  Basic backing maneuvers
  •  Backing safely
  •  Loading docks and parking lots
  •  Key learnings
  •  Backing and docking quiz answer key

Learn the components of trailers and how they attach.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Coupling tractor-trailers
  •  Uncoupling tractor-trailers
  •  Coupling doubles/twin trailers
  •  Uncoupling doubles/twin trailers
  •  Other combinations
  •  Key learnings
  •  Coupling and uncoupling quiz answer key

Learn about your surroundings and how to use your mirrors.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Scanning your entire sight area
  •  Types of mirrors
  •  Key learnings
  •  Visual search quiz answer key

Understand communicating your intent while driving.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Communicating your intent while driving
  •  Communicating your presence while driving
  •  Communication from others
  •  Communication tools
  •  Key learnings
  •  Communication quiz answer key

Learning how to spot a distracted driver and what to do.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Recognizing driving distractions
  •  In-cab technology
  •  Managing driving distractions
  •  Key learnings

 Distracted driving quiz answer key

Learn what the safe speed is.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Stopping distance
  •  Road design
  •  Road conditions
  •  Weather conditions
  •  Heavy traffic
  •  Maintain a safe speed
  •  Use of cruise control
  •  Key learnings
  •  Speed management quiz answer key

Learn how much time and space you need.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Managing space
  •  Turning space
  •  Space when crossing and entering traffic
  •  Distracted drivers
  •  Key learnings
  •  Space management quiz answer key

Learn to drive at night.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Night driving factors
  •  Key learnings
  •  Night operation quiz answer key

Learn what to do in harsh conditions.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Vehicle preparation
  •  Driver preparation
  •  Tire chain installation
  •  Cold-weather starting
  •  Operating in hot weather
  •  Extreme weather
  •  All slippery surfaces
  •  Freeing a stuck vehicle
  •  Breakdowns
  •  Mountain driving
  •  Sharp curves
  •  Key learnings
  •  Extreme driving conditions quiz answer key

Learn to recognize hazards and what to do.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Hazard recognition
  •  Road hazards
  •  User hazards
  •  Visual search
  •  Responding to emergency situations
  •  Key learnings
  •  Hazard perception quiz answer key

What to do if you are in a skid or mechanical failure.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Causes of skids
  •  Tractor-trailer skids
  •  Skid recovery
  •  Slippery surfaces
  •  Evasive steering
  •  Emergency braking
  •  Off-road recovery
  •  Brake failure
  •  Tire blowouts
  •  Hydroplaning
  •  Rollovers
  •  Key learnings
  •  Skid control/recovery, jackknifing, and other emergencies quiz answer key

Learn how to safely cross a railroad.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  The regulations
  •  Signs and signals
  •  Safety tips
  •  Key learnings
  •  Railroad-highway grade crossings quiz answer key

Learn how to identify and diagnose malfunctions.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Frame
  •  Suspension system
  •  Axles
  •  Engine
  •  Fuel system
  •  Air intake and exhaust system
  •  Lubrication system
  •  Cooling system
  •  Electrical system
  •  Drive train
  •  Brake system
  •  Wheels and tires
  •  Steering system
  •  Coupling system
  •  Diagnosing malfunctions
  •  Key learnings
  •  Identification and diagnosis of malfunctions quiz

Learn roadside inspections.

  • Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Roadside inspection basics
  •  The roadside inspection process
  •  Roadside inspection report and results
  •  Key learnings
  •  Roadside inspections quiz answer key

Learn the importance of maintenance.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Types of maintenance
  •  Your responsibility
  •  Regulatory requirements
  •  Pitfalls of poor vehicle maintenance
  •  Key learnings
  •  Maintenance quiz answer key

Learn how to secure cargo and procedures for pickup and delivery.

  • Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  The importance of proper cargo handling
  •  Principles and methods of cargo securement
  •  Cargo securement plan
  •  Principles of weight distribution
  •  Safe loading responsibilities
  •  Loading/unloading tools
  •  Bill of lading
  •  Shipping paper accessibility
  •  Pickup and delivery procedures
  •  Cargo theft
  •  In-transit security tips
  •  Key learnings
  •  Handling and documenting cargo quiz answer key

Learn environmental issues.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Air pollution
  •  Fuel efficiency
  •  Hazardous materials
  •  Key learnings

 Environmental compliance issues quiz answer key

Why do you have to track your time?

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Who is regulated?
  •  On-duty and off-duty time
  •  The limits
  •  Record of duty status
  •  Exceptions
  •  Consequences for non-compliance
  •  Impact on CSA basic scores
  •  Out-of-service criteria
  •  Travel time
  •  Key learnings
  •  Hours of service requirements quiz answer key

Knowing your mind and body for safe driving.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Personal health and driving
  •  Stress
  •  Fatigue
  •  Alcohol use and drug abuse
  •  Safe work practices
  •  Back safety
  •  Personal security
  •  Key learnings
  •  Fatigue and wellness awareness quiz answer key

What to do if you are in an accident.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Definitions
  •  Accident register
  •  Securing the scene
  •  At the scene
  •  Hazardous materials
  •  Vehicle fires
  •  Key learnings
  •  Post-crash procedures quiz answer key

External communicating.

  • Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  • Introduction
  • Roadside inspection process
  • Roadside inspection outcomes
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Key learnings
  • External communications quiz answer key

Learn about whistleblowers.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Whistleblower protection
  •  Coercion
  •  Key learnings
  •  Whistleblower/coercion quiz answer key

Learn how to plan a trip.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Paperwork
  •  Route selection
  •  Vehicle and cargo restrictions
  •  Estimating time
  •  Estimating fuel usage and selecting fuel-efficient routes
  •  Estimating trip expenses
  •  Key learnings
  •  Trip planning quiz answer key

What happens if drugs or alcohol are involved.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Safety-sensitive function
  •  Alcohol misuse and drug use
  •  Types of tests
  •  Alcohol testing procedures
  •  Drug testing
  •  Refusing to test
  •  Failing an alcohol test or testing positive for drugs
  •  The effects of alcohol abuse and drug use
  •  Key learnings
  •  Drugs/alcohol quiz answer key

Learn the medical qualifications.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  General qualifications
  •  General disqualifications
  •  Physical qualifications
  •  Medically unqualified
  •  Key learnings
  •  Medical requirements quiz answer key

Learn to look for signs of human traffickers.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  What is human trafficking?
  •  Watch for these signs
  •  Know how to respond
  •  Key learnings
  •  Human trafficking quiz answer key

Learn what CSA is.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  What is CSA?
  •  Data collection
  •  Safety measurement system (SMS)
  •  Assigning value
  •  Safety evaluation
  •  Interventions
  •  Your role in CSA
  •  CSA-related data
  •  Key learnings
  •  CSA quiz answer key

Learn about special vehicles.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Multiple articulation vehicles
  •  Oversize vehicles
  •  Low-clearance vehicles
  •  Vehicles with unstable loads
  •  Special cargo vehicles
  •  Construction vehicles
  •  Key learnings
  •  Special rigs quiz answer key

What you need to know when crossing the border.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  General requirements
  •  Crossing the Canadian border procedures
  •  Border crossing programs
  •  Returning to the united states from Canada
  •  Motor carrier safety and licensing
  •  Vehicle sizes and weights
  •  Metric measurements and conversions
  •  Key learnings
  •  Crossing the Canadian border quiz answer key

Learn the basics of being an owner-operator.

  •  Classroom, video, road, lab, and range recommendations
  •  Introduction
  •  Cost determination and control
  •  Fuel management
  •  Growing revenue
  •  Trucking industry image
  •  Contact with the public
  •  Customer relations
  •  What do employers look for?
  •  Company policy
  •  Opportunities for advancement
  •  Applying for a job
  •  Key learnings
  •  Basic business practices quiz answer key