McLennan Community College - ATDS Truck Driving School

The over-the-road truck driver is an integral part of the transportation industry. Today's long haul trucks are equipped with the latest technological advances, including onboard computers, customized cabins and laser optics to monitor the health of the driver. Because of the demand for transportation services, more than 100,000 new drivers are needed this year.

McLennan Community College utilizes ATDS's 4 week training program as their Truck Driving School.

What Does ATDS Offer?

• 140 hours of "hands on" training
• 70 hours of classroom instruction
• Professional placement staff upon completion of the program

Tuition And Financing

Financing is available to students who qualify.

Admission Requirements

• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Possess a valid driver's license
• No major traffic violations in the last three years
• At least 18 years of age

In addition to admission requirements, ATDS would like students to be aware of the qualifications needed to be an OTR truck driver. These include:

• 18 and older to drive trucks within state borders, federal regulations require drivers operating across state lines to be at least 21 years of age.
• Every truck driver must have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) issued by a state. A commercial driver can hold a license from only one state.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation requires a driver to have a complete physical examination every two years.
• A driver must have a minimum of 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without corrective lenses, and have a 70 degree field of vision in each eye. Drivers may not be color blind.
• A driver must be capable of perceiving a forced whisper in the better ear at not less then five feet, with or without the use of a hearing aid.
• A driver must be able to read and speak English well enough to understand traffic signs, prepare required reports, and speak with law enforcement authorities and the public. (Note: Some companies may have additional educational requirements.)
• The U.S. Department of Transportation sets safety rules for interstate truck drivers (vehicle inspection, hours of service, etc.), and drivers must learn these rules and comply with them. Most states have adopted similar rules for intrastate drivers.
• Strict regulations forbid the use of alcohol or drugs prior to, or while operating, commercial vehicles. Drivers are subject to drug and alcohol testing by their employers and by law enforcement officials under four different circumstances; pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and random testing. A driver must have no current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism, and must not use any illegal drugs.
• A driver must not have been convicted of a felony involving the use if a motor vehicle; a crime involving drugs; driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or, hit-and-run driving which results in injury or death.

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  McLennan Community College - ATDS Truck Driving School
  1400 College Drive
  Waco, TX 76708
  1-800-460-2837

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.