Commercial Driver's License
What you will do:
You will train to earn your class A CDL license and connect with industry leads and hiring companies to jump start your job search.
Two training ranges in southwestern PA, Monessen and Connellsville. ELDT-approved curriculum. Manual transmissions, pre-trip inspections, backing maneuvers, highway and rural driving. Serving students from multiple counties including but not limited to Westmoreland, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Allegheny Counties.
What the numbers say:
100%
Six reasons to start today.
Regardless of the commodity. Regardless of economic conditions. Trucks move goods and the country needs Class A drivers.
Open Job Market
Job Security
Minimal Training Time
No four-year slog. You can be Class A CDL-licensed and ready for the open road in eight weeks.
Flexible Schedule
Pick the schedule that fits your life, new destinations every day, or predictable shifts close to home.
High Quality Training
Chance for Adventure
Skills you’ll walk out with:
Walk into an interview with a portfolio.
Properly shift on different manual transmissions
Drive safely on highways, rural and intercity roads
Do backing maneuvers (alley dock, parallel, straight)
Do pre-trip inspection techniques
Read maps in relation to a commercial vehicle
Accurately complete drivers' daily log books
Create viable trip routes
Eight weeks, broken down.
ELDT-approved modules. Manual transmissions, on-range work, on-road work, and the paperwork that goes with the cab.
PERMIT & MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS
Proper Shifting · Double-Clutching · 10-Speed and 13-Speed Gearboxes · Permit Testing
Train where you live.
DEC operates CDL ranges in Monessen and Connellsville, PA. Both ELDT-approved, both staffed by industry-experienced instructors.
Monessen Range
Connellsville Range
Get the full guide.
Tuition. Financial aid. Sample schedule. What to expect on day one. PDF, no spam, straight to your inbox.
Real numbers, real schedule, no sales pitch. Know exactly what you’re signing up for before you commit. Straight to your inbox.
Everything you need, organized.
Where the career goes.
Class A CDL graduates qualify for entry-level positions in over-the-road, regional, and local driving. Below are the most common job titles DEC graduates have quickly transitioned into:
Hauling for.
Companies across southwestern Pennsylvania have employed DEC graduates.
CLASS A CDL LICENSE
Pennsylvania Class A Commercial Driver’s License: required to operate combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR.
ELDT CERTIFICATION
DOT MEDICAL CARD
Federal medical certification: guidance and prep included as part of admissions, required to operate commercially.
Who’s behind the wheel.
Fred Gibbons
- LEAD INSTRUCTOR FOR SKILLED TRADES PROGRAMS
Diploma, Class A CDL, Truck Driving Institute, Commercial Driver’s License
Fred Gibbons has almost 25 years of truck driving experience, specializing in commercial driver training, safety compliance, and preparing students for successful careers in the trucking industry through hands-on, real-world instruction.
You asked.We answered.
What are the admission requirements for this program?
A prospective student seeking admission to the Commercial Driver’s License Program must:
- Be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) Diploma or recognized equivalency certificate.
- Complete an application form and pay a one-time application fee ($50.00) and one-time registration fee ($100.00).
- Request an official high school transcript be sent directly to the Admissions Department.
- Successfully complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Examination with a minimum score of 17.
- Sign an Enrollment Agreement.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Pass a Department of Transportation medical examination for a CDL.
- Be able to pass drug testing as part of the Department of Transportation drug testing requirement.
- Possess an acceptable form of identification for a U.S. Citizen.
- Possess acceptable proof of residency.
How long is the program and what is the schedule?
- Length: 8 weeks/1 instructional period (part-time option available*)
- Classes typically held Monday-Thursday
- All Skilled Trade programs’ (Heavy Equipment and CDL with Safety; Commercial Driver’s License) courses are scheduled four (4) days per week for 7.5 hours per day with a thirty (30) minute break for lunch.
*The Commercial Driver’s License course may also be offered on weekends and evenings. If offered, the course will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:00pm – 10:00pm, and Saturdays from 7:30am – 5:00pm, with a 30-minute break for lunch.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, financial aid is available to those who qualify. Funding options may include private financing options, Veterans’ Education Benefits, and agency-sponsored funding (e.g. CareerLink & Office of Vocational Rehabilitation).
What will I be able to do after I graduate?
Companies across the United States are always looking for qualified Class “A” CDL drivers to transport their goods locally or nationally. Upon completion, graduates will possess the skills necessary to obtain entry-level positions as:
- Sand & Water Hauler
- Delivery Truck Driver
- Over-the-Road (OTR) Driver
- Regional Truck Driver
- Dump Truck Driver
- Local Truck Driver
What does a typical class day look like?
Class days vary by course and topic. Some days focus on theory-based classroom learning, while others emphasize hands-on practice and road experiences to build real-world skills.
What certifications or licenses does this program prepare me for?
Preparation to sit for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania CDL class A, tanker endorsement, and Airbrake endorsement examinations.
What is an ELDT Training Center and why does it matter?
An ELDT Training Center is an educational facility or provider that is officially approved and registered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to deliver the mandated Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) curriculum.
To hold this status, our school must maintain strict federal compliance regarding our instructors, facilities, equipment, and training materials. We are listed on the official FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR).
Why It Matters to You:
- It is a Federal Requirement: As of February 2022, you cannot legally take your state CDL road skills test without proof of completing an ELDT program.
- Automatic Licensing Eligibility: When you complete your training here, we directly upload your graduation records to the federal database. This instantly clears you to schedule your state exam.
- Comprehensive Career Preparation: The curriculum covers both mandatory parts of the federal safety standard.
- Theory Instruction: Core knowledge, safety operations, and vehicle systems.
- Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training: Hands-on instruction on both our private driving range and public roads.
- Employer Trust: Graduating from a registered ELDT center shows trucking companies that you have been trained to the highest safety and professional standards.
Do I need prior driving experience to enroll?
No, you do not need any prior commercial driving experience to enroll. Our programs are built specifically for beginners who have never driven a commercial truck. Our licensed instructors will guide you through every stage of the training, starting with the basics in the classroom and on our private driving range before you ever take a vehicle out on public roads.
Will I get real road experience during training?
Yes, real road experience is a mandatory part of our curriculum and a federal requirement to get your CDL. After receiving your permit, our training program includes two hands-on phases to ensure you build confidence safely:
- Range Training: You will start on our private, closed training lots. Here, you will practice essential low-speed maneuvers, including backing up, parallel parking, and docking. We have one range on-campus here in Westmoreland County, as well as another range at the Joseph A. Hardy Connellsville Airport, located in nearby Fayette County.
- Road Driving: Once you master the range, you will drive real commercial vehicles on public roads. Under the direct supervision of our certified instructors, you will gain experience navigating city streets, intersections, turns, and highways.
You will get all the actual behind-the-wheel road hours required to fully prepare you for your state licensing exam and your first driving job.
Are there age requirements for CDL work?
DEC advises all applicants of Federal Motor Carrier regulations regarding interstate requirements for students and graduates under the age of 21. In addition, certain jobs and careers may require candidates to be at least 21 years of age.
How many attempts do I get at the CDL exam?
Students taking the Commercial Driver’s License course will have three (3) attempts to pass this certification. The cost of any additional attempts is the responsibility of the student.
While you’re here:
Excavator, loader, dozer plus the Class A CDL to haul the equipment to and from the site. Combined diploma program, twelve weeks.
Your rig
is waiting.
