The Central Texas College Professional Truck Driving Program is a non-credit, Continuing Education program that provides the student with personalized instruction with a curriculum designed to give the student the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in truck driving. Classroom and hands-on instruction is provided by professional, experienced, and trained instructors. The program is taught at the Central Texas College Central campus in partnership with Action Career Training of Abilene, Texas.

The program is 150 clock hours (3 weeks) in length, consisting of 10 hours of classroom instruction and 140 hours practical and behind-the-wheel training.

This program will prepare the student to take the necessary exams to obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) to operate a tractor-trailer.

A Class "A" permit is required to enter the program.

Classroom training includes:

• Department of Transportation (DOT) Rules and Regulations
• Logbooks
• Safety

Range Training and Testing (conducted at an off-campus site) includes:

• Vehicle Inspection
• Operation and Maintenance
• Starting and Stopping
• Shifting and Clutch Control
• Coupling and Uncoupling
• Straight-Line Backing
• Parallel Parking
• Sight-Side Backing
• 45- and 90-Degree Backing

Over-the-road training is conducted on public roads and highways. Students will be exposed to light, moderate, and heavy traffic. The student will be evaluated on turning, freeway entry and exit, merging and traffic lane changes, and safe driving techniques. In addition, students will demonstrate PTI procedures and a 14-point brake system check. Night driving, short-haul, and long-distance driving is included.

Professional Truck Driving Contact Information.