Commercial Vehicle Operator A Class

Program Description

Commercial vehicle operation is an important component of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics industry.  This training prepares students to test for a Maryland CDL-A license.

Commercial drivers of tractor trailers provide local daily service or make intercity and interstate trips that are longer and vary from job to job.  Heavy truck and tractor trailer drivers may spend most of their time behind the wheel, but may be required to load or unload their cargo upon arrival at their final destination.  They often travel at night and on holidays and weekends to avoid traffic delays and deliver cargo on time.  Drivers conduct pre-trip vehicle inspections and must report to the dispatcher any equipment that is inoperable, defective or missing. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires drivers to keep a log of their activities, including the condition of the truck, hours of service, and the circumstances of any accidents.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

1.  prepare to pass the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam;

2.  identify pre-trip safety inspection checklist items to pass the MVA CDL exam;

3.  explain in detail safe driving practices for operation of a Class A CDL vehicle;

4.  demonstrate through hands-on range/road driving practice the ability to set the Class A CDL vehicle in motion and accelerate smoothly forward and backward, park, shift, and maneuver; and

5.  demonstrate how to couple and uncouple units and perform air break inspections.​

Program Credentials

Successful Completion:

CCBC Credential: Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

Students will be prepared to take the Maryland Commercial Driver’s License exam.

Students will be awarded various CDL certificates (e.g. Defensive Driving and New Driver Training).

Licensing Organization:

CDL A: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) - upon successfully completing the MVA final licensing exam.

www.mva.maryland.gov

Financial Aid and Payment Options

CCBC currently offers Continuing Education (CE) financial aid to those who qualify. We package public and private funding options to benefit students which include COVID-19 relief funding, the Maryland Sequence Scholarship, CCBC Opportunity Grant funding, Maryland Promise, and Baltimore County College Promise. Financial aid funding is available for select CE courses and programs. 

Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition,  the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development. 

For more information about funding resources and how to apply for them, please contact the CCBC Continuing Education Information Center at 443-840-4700.

Program Length

CDL-A: 280 hours

Full-time class meets Monday -Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for 8 weeks.

Weekend class meets Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for 20 weeks.

Evening class meets Monday - Friday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm for 12 weeks.

Program Requirements

• Minimum age of 18 (commercial drivers must be 21 years of age to drive across state lines)
• Be able to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screen & physical
• Possess a valid Maryland Driver’s License (regular Class C)
• Maintain zero points for drug/alcohol violations

Recommended:  High School Diploma or GED (highly preferred, but not required)

The Maryland MVA’s CDL-A licensing exam is taken at the end of the course.  The exam includes pre-trip inspections, range maneuvers, and completion of a road test of 14+ miles.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Selective Entry – Please call 443-840-3672 to schedule an interview.  Applicants will be notified of program acceptance during the interview if all documentation and requirements are met.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Program Course Sequence

Additional Information

Career Opportunities:
Due to a driver shortage, there are many career opportunities for CDL-A holders.  You can drive a tractor trailer, tanker, double and triples, flatbed, or refer (refrigerated trailer) both in-state and out-of-state​.

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA .  Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

Coordinator:  Stacy Igo |  sigo@ccbcmd.edu |  443-877-5205 | TTC Transportation Training Center

Administrative Assistant:   Barbara Bennett | bbennett3@ccbcmd.edu |  443-840-3672 | TTC Transportation Training Center