Kirkwood Community College

Introduction to Kirkwood Community College

Kirkwood Community College is accredited by the North Central Association and the course is certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute. The course format is a combination of classroom and lab instruction: lecture, demonstrations covering U.S. Department of Transportation rules and regulations, preventive maintenance and current events in the industry. Each student receives 106 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 44 hours of in-truck, behind-the-wheel instruction, including driving range, highway, interstate, village and city driving.

CDL Course Objectives

• Develop driving skills in maneuvering semitrailer equipment as required by the trucking industry.
• Acquaint students with safety regulations and precautions throughout the training program.
• Identify Department of Transportation laws and regulations governing truck traffic.
• Develop the proper attitude of responsible employees who will perform their duties in a manner that will be a credit to the occupation.
• Provide a general overview of the trucking industry, how it functions and what to expect as drivers.
• Acquaint students with driving on public streets and highways through applied "touch driving" experience in traffic.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants who are 18-21 years of age are only allowed to drive intrastate (within state lines).
• Registered students must obtain a CDL permit.
• Students must pass the air brakes test and the combination vehicle test at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Department of Transportation long-form physical is required to take the course and usually required by potential employers.
• A pre-employment drug test will be required before the start of the program, as mandated by federal regulations.

Tuition

• Tuition: $4,400 (books included in tuition)
• Drug Test: $50-$100 (depending on where it is conducted)
• Physical: $80-$150 (depending on where it is conducted)
• CDL Permit: $12 (issued at the drivers license station)

Tuition assistance is available.

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  Kirkwood Community College
  6301 Kirkwood Boulevard SW
  Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
  319-398-1022

Find CDL Training Through Paid CDL Training Programs

Did you know there are also paid CDL training programs available? These are truck driving schools which are owned and operated by trucking companies. They're also known as company-sponsored CDL training programs. These programs can often turn out to be free CDL training! Check out that link to learn more.

Independent truck driving schools and company-sponsored schools are both worthy of consideration and are covered thoroughly in our truck driver's career guide.