Commercial Truck Driving, Certificate

Jimmy Rigdon, Program Coordinator/Instructor

MCC’s Commercial Truck Driving Program is an eight-week program that prepares students to drive tractor trailers and other commercial vehicles. The program is a combination of theory and actual road driving that includes Department of Transportation rules and regulations, safety, proper shifting, log books, preparation of paperwork, map reading, and handling cargo. Students are able to utilize a state-of-the-art truck driving simulator that helps prepare them for the actual road driving experience.

Each student logs a minimum of 20 contact hours of driving time with various loads, roads, and driving conditions. Students are required to pass the DOT Commercial Driver Written Examination and obtain a Commercial Truck Driver’s License. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a Certificate in Commercial Truck Driving.

After completing the initial eight weeks of training, students can enroll in the Commercial Truck Driving Internship. Students in the Internship are under the supervision of a company trainer for up to eight weeks. Students who enroll in the Internship are eligible to apply for financial assistance.

Enrollment in the program is limited to four students per instructor.

Minimum admission requirements (in addition to general admission requirements):

Attain 14 composite score on the ACT;

Or

Score 251 or above on the ACCUPLACER NG Reading Section and a 230 or above on the ACCUPLACER NG Algebra Section;

Or

Earn a “C” or above in CTE 1113 - Occupational Math ;

Or

Complete 15 semester hours with a “C” average or above at an accredited college or university and earn a grade of “C” in MAT 0123 - Beginning Algebra  and have a High School Diploma or GED. In addition, applicants for the Commercial Truck Driving program are required to:

• Be at least 18 years old. Applicants 18 to 20 years of age are required to submit a written statement from a company, on letterhead, stating they will be hired upon completion of the Commercial Truck Driving program. According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, applicants under the age of 21 will be restricted to intrastate only;
• Pass Department of Transportation physical requirements, including a drug test; and
• Pass a criminal background check and driver’s history that is obtained and evaluated by Meridian Community College.