Professional Driver Training Program is a three week course designed to prepare individuals for entry level positions in the trucking industry. Our Professional Driver Training Program will provide the student with the training needed to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's License with the Hazardous Materials Endorsement. Classes are from 8am until 6pm, Monday through Friday. Our students are trained using 10 speed transmissions in conventional style tractors with trailers ranging in length from 40 to 53 feet long.

Remember, we are not just in the business of training students, we are in the trucking industry as well. While training at CCS students will have the opportunity to see tractor-trailers at work. Who can be better at training truck drivers than other truck drivers? All instructors must perform actual tractor-trailer operations on a regular basis. We have found this to be the best way of keeping our instructors up to date on their training techniques. This gives the student the highest level of instruction.

Here is a breakdown of the material covered during the course of your training with usas it is done week by week.

Week #1 - Non Vehicle Activities and Testing

The first week of training begins in the Class Room with Students preparing for all written State Exams needed to obtain a CDL Learner's Permit. Students will test at the Tennessee Department Of Safety License Testing Center In Blountville, Tennessee during this week. Once Students pass the written exams, a CDL Learner's Permit will be issued to them. With the CDL Learner's Permit, Students can legally operate our training trucks on public highways as long as an Instructor is in the vehicle.

Students will also be introduced to Log Books, Map Reading, Trip Reading and the Training Requirements set forth in the Fedral Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for Entry-Level Driver Training in accordance with 49 CFR 380.503 during the first week of training.

Week #2 - Basic Operation and Safe Operating Practices

Basic operation incorporates the classroom training with range and behind the wheel driver training. This training will introduce trainees to the vehicle and provide an opportunity to understand how to control the vehicle while in motion . Among the many practical skills learned in this week are clutch and transmission operation along with with basic backing skills. Procedures for weighing and the transfer of weight between the axles along with coupling and un-coupling the tractor from the trailer are covered.

Safe Operating practices incorporates the principles learned in the classroom. This provides students with the ability for safe operation of the vehicle . It includes speed management, communication on the road and visual scans for potential road hazards.

Week #3 - Vehicle Operation and Procedure

Techniques used for advanced backing maneuvers. Students will proactively and reactively learn to deal with backing hazards. Operation of vehicle in city traffic and mountain driving as well as night driver training.

During this week students will be practicing everything learned in the previous weeks. Should a student be having problems with any part of the skills testing, pre-trip inspection, backing maneuvers or driving of the vehicle it will be addressed at this time. Procedures for weighing and transfer of weight between axles and proper procedure for coupling and uncoupling of the tractor from the trailer will also be taught during this week.

Students will be testing near the end of the last week. CCS has a very good success rate with students passing on their first attempt at the skills test. However, should a student fail the final state exam, the student will be rescheduled for testing as soon as possible.