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$50,000
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.
Earn your CDL for freeChemeketa, in partnership with Willamette Workforce Partnership and Worksource Oregon, will offer free Commercial Driving License (CDL), or truck driving training for 30 candidates. The training primarily takes place at Chemeketa's Salem Campus, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE in Salem. Some classes will be held at the Yamhill Valley Campus, 288 NE Norton Lane in McMinnville. To determine if you qualify for the training there is a two-step process. There are two applications. You will need to complete both applications prior to a start date being determined. We look forward to working with you. Step 1: Please fill out the Future Ready application Step 2: Please fill out Chemeketa’s Truck Driving application: Online version | Printed version |
What will you learn?
Chemeketa's truck driving certificate program consists of 160 hours of coursework-
- XCDL 9100A- Introduction to Professional Truck Driving & Logistics (40 hours)
- XCDL 9100B- Practical Applications in Professional Truck Driving & Logistics (80 hours)
- XCDL 9100C- 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
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Program Requirements
In order to be eligible for the program, you must-
- Have a valid drivers 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
- Pass a DOT drug screening (completed after acceptance into program, and ordered by Chemeketa)
- Obtain a Class A CDL learner permit with Airbrake and Combination Vehicles endorsements. Test administered at DMV in English only.
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Session Start Dates
Winter Term Schedule 2023:
Location: Salem Campus (class hours subject to change)
January 9 - February 3, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training) No class/Holiday on: 1/16. (Currently FULL Accepting ALTERNATES only)
February 6 - March 3, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training) No class/Holidays on: 2/20. (Currently FULL Accepting ALTERNATES only)
March 6 - March 31, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training) (Currently FULL Accepting ALTERNATES only)
Spring Term Schedule 2023:
Location: Salem Campus (class hours subject to change)
April 3 - May 2, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training) No class/Holiday on: 4/20, 4/21. (Currently FULL Accepting ALTERNATES only)
May 8 - June 2, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training) No class/Holidays on: 5/29. (Currently 4 spots available)
June 5 - June 30, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training) No class/Holidays on: 6/19. (Currently 4 spots available)
Summer Term Schedule 2023:
Location: Salem Campus (class hours subject to change)
July 3 - August 4, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (5-week training due to holiday/make-up days) No class/Holiday on: 7/4, 7/12, 7/13, 7/14, & 7/17. (Currently 4 spots available)
August 7 - August 31, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training) No class/Holidays on 9/1. (Currently 4 spots available)
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Application Process
Please complete the following steps for entry into the program-
- Complete the paper Truck Driving Application OR the online 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 paper 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 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 CDL Program
TuitionStudent (see "payment information" menu
for scholarship information below)$5,000 Post Training Fee Paid By Amount CDL Testing Student $220* CDL Driver's License Student $75-$135* *Tuition and fees are subject to change.
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Payment Information
Payment Methods (non-credit programs are not eligible for financial aid through Chemeketa financial aid office.):
- Cash, Check, Credit Card
- Grants/Scholarships
- Available to qualifying students through several different programs. Please see the "Grants and Scholarships" menu for more information.
- 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.
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Grants and Scholarships
Financial assistance is available through the following programs.
Future Ready Grant
Qualifying applicants must meet one or more of these criteria:
- Women
- Veterans
- Refugees
- Individuals with disabilities
- Low-income (200% or less of the Federal poverty level) or receiving public assistance
- Justice system involvement
- English language learners
- Underserved or underrepresented black, indigenous, or person of color
- Member of Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Indian Tribes
- Member of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Resides in a rural community
To apply for this grant please fill out the Future Ready Application at https://www3.i-trac.org/
OnlineApplication/ R3Prosperity10KOnlineApplicati on.aspx Please send confirmation you have filled out the Future Ready application (in addition to the truck drving program application) to truckdriving@chemeketa.edu
Worksource Oregon Vocational Scholarship
- Complete and update an iMatchSkills profile: https://empportal.emp.state.
or.us/mprod_imscod_dad/!pkg_ startup.proc_new_home - Schedule and complete a Welcome conversation with the employment department (this includes ID verification): https://www.worksourceoregon.
org/contact - This can be completed virtually or in person at any Worksource Center
- In that Welcome conversation, make sure to request a referral to WIOA services for funding for their program
- They will then submit a referral to us on the same referral form I reference below
- Our team will reach out to that person within 1 week, usually by email, schedule an intake appointment to determine if services are appropriate, and will walk the student through the remainder of the process.
- Additional funding is available through the STEPS program at Worksource
Chemeketa Job Corp Scholars
This program is for eligible students between the ages of 18-24 years old. Please visit the Job Corps Scholars for more information.
Chemeketa STEP Program
Students can obtain more information on the STEP webpage, or call at 503.399.6482.
To be eligible for STEP, you must:
- Must currently be receiving SNAP benefits
- Must not be on TANF
- Must be interested in pursuing training and/or educational opportunities
- Make an appointment
- Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs & Degrees
If you're pursuing a certificate, AAS degree, prerequisite classes, or license/certification exam, STEP can help with:
- Success coaching dedicated to providing academic and personal support, connecting you to resources
- Gap funding to assist with required CTE certificate or degree program expenses-
- Tuition and fees
- Textbooks
- Tools
- Certification exams
- Transportation
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Refresher Courses
Need to brush up on your truck driving skills? We offer one-on-one training with our instructors to address your areas of need. See pricing below!
Refresher Courses Description Paid By Amount 2 Hours-Truck Testing only Student $200 3 Hours Student $350 5 Hours Student $550 7 Hours Student $750 15 Hours Student $1200 -
HAZMAT Training
Need a Hazmat endorsement on your CDL? We offer an online course (book included) for a hazardous materials endorsement allowing you to drive any vehicle carrying hazardous materials.
You must have your CDL Class A Learner's Permit for acceptance to class (required to submit a copy).
Classes offered year-round. Please email truckdriving@chemeketa.edu or call 503.584.7537 for enrollment information.
Description Paid By Amount Hazmat Online Course Student $200 Additional Requirements per DMV
You must:
- Meet the requirements for, or have, a CDL;
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident [ORS 807.173(1)(c)];
- Pay for and pass the HAZMAT Endorsement Knowledge Test;
- Pay for and pass a Transportation Security Administration Criminal Background Check (see below);
- Pass a vision test; and
- Pay the endorsement and replacement fee.
Note: You are required to pass the HAZMAT Knowledge Test every time you renew your license.
Transportation Security Administration Security Threat Assessment
- You must pass a TSA security check every five years to keep this endorsement.
- The security check can take 60 days or more to complete.
- You must pass another TSA security check if you are coming from another state and your last TSA check was more than 4 years and 9 months ago.
- We will verify the date of a previous security check with the TSA.
- You must start a TSA security check online at the TSA website or by calling Universal Enrollment Services at 855-347-8371.
- Check the status of your case to see if you passed.