Registration is under way for those interested in enrolling in the Commercial Truck Driver Training Program at Beaufort County Community College.
Night and weekend classes will begin Monday, Jan. 14, and continue to Sunday, May 18, in the program that will train students to drive a tractor-trailer and help them obtain their Class-A Commercial Driver’s License.
The program includes classroom instruction, driving range instruction and behind-the-wheel driving of a Class A combination vehicle. Students will gain experience driving during various hours of the day and night and will be road tested by BCCC’s third party examiner.
The program is operated by the Division of Continuing Education at BCCC in cooperation with Pamlico Community College.
Class will be 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday in Room 937 of Building 9 on the BCCC campus and will be offered via the N.C. Information Highway to students in Pamlico County provided there is sufficient enrollment to do so. Driving practice will be held 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays on the BCCC campus and will include off-road vehicle control skills and road trips.
Students will participate in Career Readiness Certification training. This course work will give students time to preview job openings in their chosen course of study, help them develop the skills they need to get a job in their chosen field and allow them to obtain the nationally recognized Career Readiness Certificate.
The cost of the program is $250 including $180 for the CDL class and three initial road tests, a $40 fee for a random drug test and a $30 Career Readiness Certification testing fee. Textbooks and other required materials are an additional $116.75. The fee for an additional road test, if needed, is $125.
A limited number of scholarships from the Golden LEAF Foundation and the Workforce Investment Act may be available to students who qualify.
All students are required to have their Commercial Driving License permit, Department of Transportation health card and original drug test at the time of registration. Students will also be subjected to random drug screening throughout the course.
Graduates of BCCC’s truck driving school can expect to earn between $25,000 and $35,000 their first year of work, according to David Crosby, director of fire training programs and special projects at BCCC.
The program is also available to students who currently have their Class A Commercial Driver’s License and need to update their training, Crosby said.
Students may register by calling (252) 940-6375 or in person in Building 8, room 802 on the BCCC campus. BCCC accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Checks payable to Beaufort County Community College may be mailed to the attention of Eva Peartree, 5337 U.S. Highway 264 East, Washington, NC 27889.
The course will begin on the scheduled date and time pending sufficient student enrollment for the class. Otherwise, the course may be postponed or cancelled.
For more information about the class, interested persons can contact Crosby, at 252-940-6262, by fax at 252-946-5416 or by email at davidc@beaufortccc.edu or J. Richard Garrett II, director of Continuing Education and Program Audits, at PCC at 252-249-1851 extension 3015 or by email at Rgarrett@pamlicocc.edu.