Gear up for a skill that's in great demand!
In addition to our eight week day time program, we will soon be offering an extended night time/weekend class. Both extensive classes are designed to allow you the opportunity to learn to drive semi trailer trucks and get into a rewarding truck driving career.
This course covers much more than the basics in Commercial Drivers' Class A License training. Topics include safe driving, vehicle inspections and understanding FMCS Regulations. The course also addresses all CDL endorsements and truck controls, including shifting, driving, backing and cargo handling. Soft skills are taught, such as employer-employee relations, customer relations, trip planning and map reading. The training program breaks down into three segments:
- DESL 1310 - Truck Driving CDL Training I
- DESL 1320 - Truck Driving CDL Training II
- HLTH 1010 - First Aid/CPR
- DESL 2980 - OJT/Work Experience
You must register.
Upon successful completion of the program, you will be qualified to test at the Department of Motor Vehicles for a CDL Class A license and receive a certificate of completion.
In the next five years, 1,764 new truck drivers will be needed and 757 will need to be replaced -- and that's just in Nebraska. These numbers represent a 29 percent increase in demand over the number of truckers needed in 2002.
Trucks play an integral role in the transportation industry because no other transportation mode can deliver frieight door to door. Even goods that arrive by ship or rail eventually end up on a truck.
Placement Assistance
Metro offers pre-hire, job placement assistance. After completing your 8 week training at the Applied Technology Center, you may enter a paid OJT/Work Experience Program, the length of which is determined by the company that hires you.
Course TOPICs
DESL 1310 - Truck Driving CDL Training I
- Basic Truck Operation
- CDL Test Overview
- Non-vehicle Activities
DESL 1320 - Truck Driving CDL Training II
- Safe Operating Practices
- Advanced Vehicle Operation Procedures
- Vehicle Maintenence and Troubleshooting
- HLTH 1010 - First Aid/CPR
- CDL-A License Exams
DESL 2980 - OJT/Work Experience
Breakdown of Course hours
| Classroom |
115 |
| Lab hours |
115 |
| Backing-up hours |
25 |
| Driving hours |
25
|
| TOTAL |
280 |
| Plus a minimum of 200 hours driving OJT with a company road trainer when you ellect to register for DSL 2980. |
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Class times
Classes are held Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Metro's Applied Technology Center in Irvington, NE. You may register in person, by telephone or online.
Seasoned Leadership
Our lead instructor, Rick Sandvig, has worked in the trucking industry for over 30 years. He brings to Metro's program his vast real-world experience, his reputation, enthusiasm and the sincere desire to "Make you a better driver than I am."
Affordable
Metro's CDL Training program is more affordable than many other truck driving schools. The in-state cost of tuition and books for the entire program is approximately $1,200. There are additional expenses you will incur, which would be part of any other truck driving training program. Financial aid is not available for this program; however, some companies reimburse a student's tuition expenses up to a maximum amount set in the company's hiring policies.
Mini-seminars - A Metro Difference
Rick recognizes that for you to be successful in this career, you'll need to know more than simply driving a truck. Through his community partnerships with industry-related companies, he will bring in professionals to conduct mini-seminars on maintenance, first aid, cargo theft prevention and safety and finances. This knowledge will pay off by making you better prepared for a truck driving career. The better prepared you are, the more successful you'll be.
A lifestyle choice
Some companies haul freight locally and regionally. These are short-haulers, meaning there are times you may be away from home overnight. Most trucking companies are long distance haulers that move freight across the country. Long-haul trucking isn't for everyone. In either case, your entire work shift is spent behind the wheel. You may be away from home two weeks or more than a month. But for those who are a good fit for this type of career, it can pay well.
Some companies use two-driver teams on very long runs—one drives while the other sleeps in a berth behind the cab. “Sleeper” runs may last for days, or even weeks, usually with the truck stopping only for fuel, food, loading and unloading. Some husband-wife teams have been very successful in this arrangement.
Requirements
You must:
- Be at least 21 years old for interstate driving
- Be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving
- Have a valid driver's license
- Complete a student information sheet (obtained from CDL training personnel)
- Obtain a current motor vehicle record
- Subject to review a student may not have a felony or a DUI/DWI within five years
- Pass a drug screen within 30 days of class start date
- Pass a current Department of Transportation (DOT) physical
- Be able to read, write and speak English clearly
- Take a Compass test at any of the MCC Testing Centers
Earnings
Median hourly earnings of heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers were $15.97 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.51 and $20.01 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.01, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.75 an hour.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Many drivers make $32,000-35,000 their first year. Some drivers can make $48,000-50,000 by their third year, depending their level of commitment.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of truck drivers and driver/sales workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012, due to growth in the economy and in the amount of freight carried by truck. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For more information
Rick Sandvig – Faculty, CDL Training Instructor 402-763-5813
Midhat Terzic – Faculty, CDL Training Instructor 402-763-5814
Bill Scharff – CDL Road Trainer
Ed Pleskach – CDL Road Trainer
Larry Hammers – CDL Road Trainer
Dick Salsbury – CDL Road Trainer
If you are not ready to sign up, but would like to receive email updates about the CDL Training course, click here. Program updates will be sent to you occasionally as they become available. You may unsubscribe at any time, by sending an email with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
CCPE approved.
Certified and approved by Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.
Page last updated August 15, 2008
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