Class A Commercial Truck Driving Program

Applicants to the Lamar State College Orange Commercial Truck Driving program must:

1. Be at least 18 years of age for intrastate or 21 years of age for interstate and pass a mandatory DOT drug test and DOT Physical.
2. Be in reasonably good physical condition and have no serious physical handicaps. Must not be under doctor’s care with work limitations hindering his/her ability to complete assigned classwork. (For guidelines, please read the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations & Noise Emission Requirements, Chapter III – Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation – Subpart E - Physical Qualifications and Examinations – 391.41).
3. Read and speak the basic English language to converse with the general public and make entries on reports and records.
4. Possess a valid Texas Driver’s License.
5. Possess a valid Social Security number.
6. Legally able to travel throughout the state of Texas.
7. Provide a 3-Year Driving Record (Payable to Texas DPS): $6.00- $8.00 (average) https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/driverrecords.htm
8. Possess a Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) (Payable to Texas Dept. of Public Safety): $25.00
9. Register in the Clearinghouse as a Student Driver, instructions to register

Each student will receive approximately 200 miles of actual behind-the-wheel driving combined with observation while pulling an empty trailer. Truck maintenance and safety, Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and driving courtesy are covered.

Course Description

Students will learn the safe operation and compliance with the law in various maneuvers of a commercial vehicle in different traffic situations; operate a tractor-trailer combination, and maneuver the vehicle safely frontward and backward around various obstacles. 

Learning Outcomes

Control and safely maneuver the vehicle in various traffic situations; and safely back an articulated combination into and through various obstacles.

Length of Course

Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) consists of 240 hours of online and face to face instruction covering general truck driving skills with the hands-on component. Depending on the student's progress, additional time may be recommended for an additional cost. CVOP 1013 and CVOP 1040 are taught concurrently as one program. Students planning to withdraw from the program must withdraw prior to the course starting, as there are no refunds after the class starts.

Course Descriptions  

CVOP 1013 – Professional Truck Driver I General truck driving with hands-on skill development and instruction coordinated with the Department of Transportation. The student will demonstrate the safe operation and compliance with the law in various maneuvers of a commercial vehicle in different traffic situations; operate a tractor- trailer combination; and maneuver the vehicle safely frontward and backward around various obstacles. 

CVOP 1040 – Professional Truck Driver II This course is a continuation of Professional Truck Driver I. General truck driving with hands-on skill development and instruction coordinated with the Department of Transportation. Instruction in the operation of a tractor-trailer combination in city and highway conditions; including control and maneuvering of the vehicle through various traffic situations in different weather conditions with numerous tractor-trailer combinations.

Upon acceptance into the program and prior to the first class day, the tuition must be paid in full. Payments may be made by check, money order, credit card, cash, or Letter of Intent from a current/prospective employer or other third party (such as South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC), Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services (DARS), Veterans Affairs (VA) and Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas (WSSETX)).

Prospective students whose tuition will be paid by an employer or third party must submit a Letter of Intent from the company/third party prior to the first-class day stating the company/third party will be paying the student's tuition for the course. The employer or third party will be invoiced for $4,250 upon receipt of the Letter of Intent.

*Placement in the class will not be guaranteed until the tuition fee is paid in full. If an employer or third-party partner has agreed to sponsor training and full payment is not received, the student will be responsible for the remaining balance plus any late fees that may apply.

Tuition

• $4,250 - Class A Commercial Truck Driving Program. Books, software and one attempt at the road test administered by a third-party DPS testing site or a DPS mobile ester are included in the cost of tuition upon successful completion of course requirements.

Fees

Each applicant will be personally responsible for paying the following fees to the appropriate parties:

• D.O.T Physical/Drug Screen (Payable to the medical facility you choose): $100-$120 (average) DOT Drug Test must be completed 7 days or less before the 1st day of class.
• 3-Year Driving Record (Payable to Texas DPS): $6.00- $8.00 (average) https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/driverrecords.htm Students will need to provide a record prior to admittance into the course AND then will need another, dated within 30 days, prior to taking the CDL test, per the TXDOT regulations.
• Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) (Payable to Texas Dept. of Public Safety): $25.00
• Class A CDL (Payable to Texas Depart. of Public Safety): The cost depends on the number of years remaining on current license.
• $1.25 for a Clearinghouse query

The Lamar State College Orange Community and Workforce Education Department does not accept financial aid, federal student loans, or payment plans for the $4,250 tuition fee. Full payment is required prior to beginning the program.

There are some agencies in Southeast Texas that may help students with tuition and fees if they meet the agency eligibility requirements. You may contact the following agencies for more information:

Before you can apply for testing, you need to have, in your possession, your DOT Medical Card from a certified National Registry Medical Examiner. To find a clinic near you see link below: FMCSA National Registry (dot.gov)

• Current Texas Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)
• DOT Physical Card and Drug Test
• Gloves – (optional)                        
• 6-inch ruler
• Pen/Pencil                                       
• 1 - Drivers Daily Log Book (Can be purchased any truck stop)

ANYONE TESTING POSITIVE FOR DRUGS/ALCOHOL WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CLASS AND WILL NOT RECEIVE A REFUND.