Truck Driving

Chemeketa's truck driving certificate will provide the knowledge and skills needed to earn your Commercial Driver License (CDL) in four weeks.

Potential Salary$40,000

topics Trades

Skills & InterestCoordination

CareersService Professions

Why choose Truck Driving?

Over the next ten years, the employment field for truck drivers is expected to grow by at least 6 percent. Plus, there is currently a shortage of truck drivers. A current shortage of 50,000 truck drivers nationwide is expected to grow to 174,000 drivers by 2026. In the Mid-Valley, there are almost 400 openings annually for truck drivers stemming from job growth and replacing retired drivers.

What will you learn?

Chemeketa's truck driving certificate program consists of 160 hours of coursework lasting four weeks-

CDL 101- Introduction to Professional Truck Driving & Logistics (40 hours)
CDL 102- Practical Applications in Professional Truck Driving & Logistics (80 hours)
CDL 103- Transportation Customer Service Skills (40 hours)

This coursework will provide the skills necessary for you to earn your Commercial Driver License, or CDL.

What will you do?

A career in truck driving can provide many things-

Job security
Great starting salaries
Variety of cargo hauling
Options for local or interstate jobs

Program Requirements
In order to be eligible for the program, you must-
- Have a valid Oregon driver license with at least one year driving experience
- Be at least 18 years old to drive in-state, and 21 years old to drive across state lines
- Provide verifiable work history or schooling
- Certain felony convictions can limit employment. Hazmat hauling has stricter rules; if you plan to haul Hazmat materials, inquire with employer/DMV prior to pursuing program
- Pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination and drug screening (completed after acceptance into program)
- Once you have met program prerequisites, you will need to obtain a Class A CDL learner permit with Airbrake and Combination Vehicles endorsements prior to the start of the program session. Test administered at DMV in English only.
Session Start Dates

Winter Term: Classes begin January 18, 2022. Location: Salem Campus
Days/Times: Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm (subject to change). One overnight drive required during session-exact date to be determined in class.

Spring Term: Classes begin March 28, 2022. Location: Salem Campus
Days/Times: Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm (subject to change). One overnight drive required during session-exact date to be determined in class.
Application Process
Please complete the following steps for entry into the program-
- Complete the Truck Driving Application.
- Applicants should ensure they will meet the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requirements to get a CDL.
- Obtain an official printed copy of your driving record from the DMV. If you held a license in more than one state in the past five years, a driving record from each state is required.
Return application and driving record to-

Chemeketa Community College
Truck Driving Program
Brandy Lehn
306 NE Norton Ln
McMinnville, OR 97128

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees for the program are as follows-

Prior to Training
Fee	Paid By	Amount
Background Check	Student (Chemeketa orders and schedules)	$40
DOT Drug Screen	Student (Chemeketa orders and schedules)	$50
DOT Physical Exam	Student	$90
DOT Driving Record	Student	$3
CDL Learners Permit	Student	$23
Knowledge Test	Student	$10
Airbrakes Test	Student	$10
Combination Vehicle	Student	$10
Tuition	Student (see "payment information" menu for scholarship information below)	$4600

Post Training
Fee	Paid By	Amount
CDL Testing	Student	$200*
CDL Driver's License	Student	$75-$135*

*Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Payment Information
Payment Methods- (non-credit programs are not eligible for financial aid through Chemeketa financial aid office.)
- Cash, Check, Credit Card
- Financial assistance is available to qualifying students offered through Worksource Oregon Vocational Scholarship. Please visit the Worksource Oregon website for more information at http://www.worksourceoregon.org/
- Chemeketa Job Corps Scholars
  - Truck Driving is an eligible program
- Personal Loans
  - Students can obtain their own financing through a financial institution of their choice
Several trucking companies have sign-on bonuses or tuition reimbursements once a student earns their CDL.