After much consideration, you’ve finally decided to take the leap and get your CDL. A commercial driver’s license is required to legally operate vehicles rated at 26,001 pounds or more, whether that weight comes from a single vehicle or a combined truck and trailer. That covers dump trucks, box trucks, bucket trucks, and tractor-trailers. For many drivers, a CDL opens the door to the stable, well-paying career they’ve been dreaming of, and it can take just a few weeks to earn. Here’s a look at how you’ll spend that time at TransTech.
Enrollment
Your first days of CDL training will focus on enrollment. Once you sign up, TransTech will send you an online course to complete before training begins. This course covers foundational knowledge you’ll need before you set foot in a truck. Like most students, you can use this time to review available Class A and Class B programs and decide which license fits your goals. The length of this stage depends on how fast you work, but there’s no rush!
Med Card
After the online course, you’ll need a med card, which comes from a DOT physical. This physical ensures that all drivers meet the DOT’s required health standards. TransTech handles this step on-site by bringing in a certified provider, so students do not need to travel to a separate location to get checked out. This keeps the process simple and saves time before training starts.
Permit
With the med card in hand, you’ll head to the DMV to take the permit test. The test has three parts: general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles. You must pass all three sections before you can move on to yard training. You can find permit requirements on our how to get a CDL page.
Training
Once you’ve got your permit, hands-on training begins. TransTech offers both weekday and weekend schedules, with the weekday course being the most common option. The weekday program runs three straight weeks, Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Week one covers pre-trip inspections and yard backing skills.
- Week two moves into daytime driving on-the-road training
- Week three covers the state-mandated nighttime drive, which typically starts between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. and runs until 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. These hours shift slightly throughout the year based on available daylight.
Students can check upcoming start dates on the class schedule page.
Week One: Pre-Trip and Backing
The first week focuses on the pre-trip inspection, which is the process of checking a truck before it hits the road. You’ll spend your time learning how to check lights, brakes, tires, and other required parts so you can spot problems before driving. The rest of week one is spent on backing in the yard, where you’ll learn how to control a truck and trailer in tight spaces. Just wait until you feel like you’re backing on instinct; that’s the sign that you’re really starting to get comfortable in the truck.
Week Two: Daytime Driving
Week two moves you from the yard to daytime driving. This is where you’ll spend time on the road getting even more comfortable behind the wheel. Instructors will work closely with you during this stretch, since daytime driving builds the skills and confidence needed before training moves into the dark. You’ll hear a great deal of encouragement and, if we’re being honest, criticism when needed. No one is perfect; our instructors will be that voice in the cab, keeping you on the path to the great driver you’re going to be.
Week Three: Nighttime Driving
The third week covers the state-mandated nighttime drive. Training usually starts between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. and continues until 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. These start times shift throughout the year based on when the sun goes down, so you may begin a little earlier or later depending on the season. Either way, you’ll complete the full number of nighttime hours the state requires before moving on to your skills test. In the dark, your senses will have to be at their sharpest. The quiet, almost empty road will finally feel like it’s fully open in front of you.
After completing training, you’ll take the CDL skills test. At some TransTech campuses, you will get to test on site, using the same equipment and yard you’ve trained on. Other campuses will schedule your test through the DMV. More details on this step are available on the CDL testing page.
Once you pass the skills test, the final step will be a quick trip to the DMV to pick up your CDL. From there, you’ll be ready to start your driving career, maybe even with an employer that you met in your time learning at TransTech! Your CDL will take you farther than you think, and the important skills you learned over the weeks spent training will stick with you through your whole career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the hands-on training take at TransTech?
The weekday program runs 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday for three weeks. Weekend or part-time training is 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday– Sunday, for six weeks.
Does TransTech provide the DOT physical for the med card?
Yes. TransTech brings in a certified provider to complete the DOT physical on site.
How many parts does the CDL permit test have?
The permit test has three parts: general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles.
What happens after passing the skills test?
Students go to the DMV to pick up their completed CDL.
