About The Commercial Driver's License Program


A commercial driver's license (CDL) allows professionals to operate a variety of vehicles, paving the way to careers in the transportation industry. Professional drivers may travel the country as long-haul truckers or stay closer to home with jobs driving buses, making deliveries or supporting business operations. CCAC's CDL program provides training to obtain a Pennsylvania Class A or B/Passenger Commercial Driver's License.

Program pricing is the same for students residing in Allegheny County and outside of Allegheny County.

The curriculum prepares students to take the CDL Class A or B/Passenger knowledge, skills and road tests.

  • Knowledge Test: covers general knowledge, passenger vehicles, air brakes, combination vehicles, hazardous materials, tankers and doubles/triples

  • Skills Test: involves performing a pretrip inspection and various backing and parking maneuvers

  • Road Test: consists of driving a predetermined route

The curriculum also covers:

  • Department of Transportation (DOT) and hours of service regulations
  • Map reading and trip planning
  • Shifting techniques (if appropriate)
  • Industry terminology
  • Career opportunities

Students must first successfully complete Part 1: CDL Driver Theory and obtain their Class A or B/Passenger CDL permit before enrolling in Part 2: CDL Range & Road Training.

 

Class A (160 hours)

Program Price: $4995. Program pricing is the same for students residing in Allegheny County and outside of Allegheny County.

Part 1: CDL Driver Theory— Classroom Sessions for CDL A

  • 4 weeks, 80 hours
  • This curriculum prepares students to take and pass the PA CDL Class A permit exam.
  • The exam is administered at PA DMV Driver License Centers.
  • Students who pass the exam will obtain a PA Class A permit with the appropriate endorsements to train and drive a tractor-trailer rig equipped with air brakes.
  • Students must obtain their Class A permit and pass a DOT physical and drug screen before continuing to Part 2.

Part 2: CDL Range & Road Training — Behind the Wheel Sessions for CDL A

  • 4 weeks, 80 hours
  • This curriculum prepares students to take and pass the PA CDL Class A BTW exam and obtain a CDL driver's license.
  • The exam consists of the Pretrip Inspection, CDL Skills and On-the-Road Driving tests.
  • This exam is conducted on a third-party test site at CCAC's Boyce Campus.
  • Students who pass the exam obtain a PA Class A license with appropriate endorsements.
  • This allows students to seek and obtain employment as a CDL Class A driver.

 

Class B (80 hours)

Program Price: $3750. Program pricing is the same for students residing in Allegheny County and outside of Allegheny County.

Part 1: CDL Driver Theory — Classroom Sessions for CDL B/Passenger

  • 2 weeks, 40 hours
  • This curriculum prepares students to take and pass the PA CDL Class B/P permit exam.
  • The exam is administered at PA DMV Driver License Centers.
  • Students who pass the exam obtain a PA Class B/P permit with the appropriate endorsements to train and drive a straight truck/passenger vehicle equipped with air brakes.
  • Students must obtain their Class B/P permit and pass a DOT physical and drug screen before continuing to Part 2.

Part 2: CDL Range & Road Training — Behind the Wheel Sessions for CDL B/Passenger

  • 2 weeks, 40 hours
  • This curriculum prepares students to take and pass the PA CDL Class B/P BTW exam and obtain a CDL driver's license.
  • The exam consists of the Pretrip Inspection, CDL Skills and On-the-Road Driving tests.
  • This exam is conducted on a third-party test site at CCAC's Boyce Campus.
  • Students who pass the exam obtain a PA Class B/P license with appropriate endorsements.
  • This allows students to seek and obtain employment as a CDL Class B or Passenger driver.

 

Program Outcomes

Students meet with the CDL program placement advisor to discuss their individual circumstances and appropriate employment opportunities (local, regional, over-the-road, second chance, etc.).


We currently have a list of over 200 companies in need of Class A, B or Passenger CDL drivers that have hired our graduates in the past, including Schneider National, JB Hunt, US-Xpress, Paragon Foods, Pitt-Ohio, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Pittsburgh Regional Transit.

 

Program Requirements

In order to enroll in the CDL program, students must meet these requirements:

  • A valid driver's license
  • Payment and/or funding in place before the first day of class

In order to pass the program, students must meet these additional requirements:

  • At least 90% attendance in both Part 1 (classroom) and Part 2 (BTW training)
  • At least 80% on all exams and tests (both written and BTW)
  • By the second class: Provide a copy of current valid driver's license
  • By the fifth class: Provide 10-year DMV driving motor vehicle history
  • Pass the DOT exam to obtain a PA Class A, B CDL or Passenger permit
  • Pass the DOT exam to obtain a PA Class A, B CDL or Passenger license with appropriate endorsements

Contact Information

724.325.6834

cdl@ccac.edu

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