Commercial Truck Driving – Certificate
Otis Gowdy, program coordinator

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 classroom and actual road driving that includes Department of Transportation rules and regulations, safety, proper shifting, log books, preparation of paperwork, map reading, and handling of 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, road, and driving conditions.  Students are required to pass the DOT Commercial Driver Written Examination and obtain a Commercial Driver’s License.  Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a Certificate in Commercial Truck Driving.  For more information on this program read the gainful employment disclosure.

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 requirements):

•  Attain 14 composite score on the ACT

Or

•  Score 40.0 or above on the ACCUPLACER Reading Section and a 31.5 or above on the Arithmetic Section;

Or

•  Earn a “C” or above in Preparation for Composition (ENG 1023) and Introductory Algebra (MAT 1203)

Or

• Complete 15 semester hours with a “C” average or above at an accredited college or university and earn a grade of “C” in Introductory Algebra I (MAT1203) 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 22 years of age are required to submit a written statement from a company, on letterhead, stating the applicant 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.

• Pass a criminal background check and driver’s history that is obtained and evaluated by Meridian Community College.

 

Admission requirements, curriculum, and other program information subject to change. See your program advisor/counselor for additional information.