Commercial Truck Driving

Commercial Truck Drivers are the backbone of American commerce and the work they do literally impacts the entire country.

Overview

OFTC’s Commercial Truck Driving (CTD) certificate program provides basic training in the principles and skills of commercial truck operations. This program is based on the definition of a truck driver as one who operates a commercial motor vehicle of all different sizes and descriptions on all types of roads.  

In OFTC’s CTD program students learn how to operate an 18-wheeler, semi-trailer truck safely and with confidence, learning basic skills and operations of day-to-day driving like how to keep logbooks, complete required paperwork, perform range operations like backing, turning, parallel parking and more.  At the end of the program students are prepared for and take the Georgia CDL Skills Exam to become licensed commercial truck drivers.   

Drivers are the backbone of American commerce and the work they do literally impacts the entire country. 

The Commercial Truck Driving – Class A Technical Certificate of Credit is offered as a 9-week instructional time program. Finish fast with day and evening classes! 

Features

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Job Stability & Security

Truck drivers have excellent earning potential, and many jobs offer great benefits, even for entry level positions. 

Little or No Cost to You Icon
Little or No Cost to You

With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.  

Tuition & Fees Icon
Tuition & Fees

With tuition at $100 per credit hour, total costs for Commercial Truck Driving department programs range from: 

  • Tuition, Fees & Fuel Surcharge: $1,857.00;  
  • Tuition Covered by HOPE: $900.00;  
    • *If eligible, students can receive an additional $1,100 HOPE Career Grant; 
  • Total Tuition & Fees to be paid by student or other funding sources: $0;  
  • Books & Supplies*: $100.00 

*Visit www.OFTC.edu/departments/ to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and suppliesCosts are estimated and are subject to change. 

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Advancement Opportunities

Commercial Truck Drivers boast a nice salary with little experience; and with increased training and experience, drivers can increase their earning potential and opportunities for self-employment. 

 

Locations

Campuses

Oconee Fall Line Technical College has campuses throughout its 11-county service area. We look forward to your visit.

Visit  www.OFTC.edu/departments/ to view each individual program and the OFTC campus where it is taught, in part or in its entirety. 

OFTC Instructional Center (Sandersville)
1735 Kaolin Road
Sandersville, GA 31082
Phone: (478) 553-2149
Dublin Campus (South)
560 Pinehill Road
Dublin, GA 31021
Phone: (478) 275-6589
Jefferson County Center
1257 Warrior Trail
Louisville, GA 30434
Phone: (478) 625-1901

Admissions

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions! 

Admissions Process

 

Your admissions application can be submitted online with your $25.00 non-refundable application fee and takes just a few minutes to complete.   

 

  1. Submit a completed application and application fee. 
  2. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at https://studentaid.gov/ and HOPE Application at www.GAfutures.org using OFTC School Code: 031555. 

General Requirements

 

  1. The Commercial Truck Driving program prefers applicants to be 21 years of age or older. Students aged 18-20 years old may operate a commercial truck only in the state of Georgia and, therefore, may have limited employment opportunities. All students are admitted to the program on a first-applied, first-qualified basis. 
  2. Be at least 18 years of age; 
  3. At registration, student must have MVR and a valid Commercial Class A permit. 
  4. REGISTRATION FOR THE CTD PROGRAMS IS OPEN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS. 
  5. NOTE: Additional Admissions Requirements are required and can be viewed in the OFTC Catalog.

Need More Info?

 

  • For more information about this program,
contact a CTD admissions specialist: 
    • All Campuses: 478-625-6002 
  • For additional information on admission to OFTC, 
contact the Office of Admissions: 
    • 478-553-2064 (Sandersville)
    • 478-275-6589 (Dublin) 
Apply Today

Learning Format

Students can enter the Commercial Truck Driving program any semester — because when you are ready to start on the path to a new career and change your life, there’s no reason to wait. 

Classes are offered in a variety of formats: on campus, blended, online asynchronous, and synchronous technology.

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On Campus

These are courses that are taught primarily in the classroom or lab with less than 50% of instruction online. On campus courses may include lecture, labs, internships, clinicals, and other in-person instructional modalities.

Blended Icon
Blended

Blended courses are distance learning courses with the majority of the course content, activities, and interactions occurring online but may require students to come to campus for specific assignments, activities, or events.

Online Asynchronous Icon
Online Asynchronous

These are courses that are taught fully online asynchronously with course content, activities, and interactions occurring entirely online. This delivery method does not require students to be online at a specific date or time, and students may participate in class activities and complete course assignments asynchronously. Online asynchronous courses require proctored events.

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Synchronous Technology

OFTC also utilizes synchronous technology to offer courses via distance education means. The course is taught on one campus and then broadcast simultaneously to a classroom on a different campus that is monitored by a class proctor.

Flexible Schedule

We want you to get the most out of college and understand the pressure it adds to your life. At OFTC you can achieve your career goals and fit college into your lifestyle. We offer small class sizes and flexible scheduling.

Courses for our programs are offered during the morning, afternoon, and evenings – plus many are online where you can do your work any time of day.

View Class Schedule

And the personalized hands-on attention you receive in a small classroom setting allows you to get individualized support, focus and feedback from your instructors. Your instructors will get to know you and help you build the foundation and confidence needed for success in your field.

Apply Today

Paying for College

At OFTC, we realize that many students require financial assistance to achieve their academic goals. We’ll work with you to help you obtain financial aid to assist you in funding your education. We’re committed to helping you find ways to pay for this life-changing investment.  

With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt. 

Financial Aid

OFTC offers several financial aid opportunities that can help you pay for college. Most students apply for federal and state aid, including the Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship & Grant, and HOPE Career Grant.   

OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations. 

Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.  

  • 478-553-2131 (Sandersville) 
  • 478-274-7833 or 478-274-7940 (Dublin)
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$
834
M
Georgia awarded over $834 million in scholarships in AY22
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62
%
of OFTC students have some form of scholarship
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$
7.3
M
OFTC students received over $7.3 million in financial assistance in AY22
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93.6
%
of OFTC's students received some form of Financial Aid in AY22

OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations. Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.

Contact

Tuition & Fees

With tuition at $100 per credit hour, total costs for Commercial Truck Driving department programs range from: 

  • Tuition, Fees & Fuel Surcharge: $1,768.50;  
  • Tuition Covered by HOPE: $684.00;  
  • *If eligible, students can receive an additional $1,000 HOPE Career Grant; 
  • Total Tuition & Fees to be paid by student or other funding sources: $1,084.50;  
  • Books & Supplies*: $100.00 

*Visit www.OFTC.edu/departments/ to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change. 

NET PRICE CALCULATOR

You can also use the Net Price Calculator to get estimated net price information based on what similar students paid in a previous year. 

Career Outlook

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 

Graduates of OFTC’s Commercial Truck Driving program may be eligible for employment in local and over-the-road commercial truck driving positions. 

Trucks transport most of the freight in the United States. The need for truck drivers should rise as households and businesses increase their spending and their demand for goods. 

BLS.GOV 

Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers (postsecondary nondegree award) 

  • 2021 Median Annual Pay: $48,310 
  • Job Outlook: 4% through 2030 

What does this mean to you?  There are currently more CTD jobs than there are drivers to fill those roles.   

 

Learn More
99.78
%
job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY21)
87.30
%
in-field job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY21)
57.1
%
of OFTC students enrolled are First Generation college students (AY22)

Program Benefits

Skills Learned

 

  • Operate an 18-wheeler, semi-trailer truck safely and with confidence,  
  • Learning basic skills and operations of day-to-day driving  
  • How to keep logbooks,  
  • How to complete required paperwork,  
  • Perform range operations like backing, turning, parallel parking 
  • Drive long distances 
  • Report any incidents encountered on the road to a dispatcher
  • Follow all applicable traffic laws 
  • Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chains, or covers 
  • Inspect their trailers before and after the trip and record any defects they find  
  • Maintain a log of their working hours, following all federal and state regulations 
  • Report serious mechanical problems to the appropriate people 
  • Keep their trucks and associated equipment clean and in good working order 

Job Titles

 

  • Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers 

Diverse Settings

 

  • Truck transportation  
  • Wholesale trade 
  • Self-employed workers 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Construction

Graduate Testimonials

OFTC gave me the proper training I needed to pursue the knowledge needed to become an excellent and confident Commercial Driver.”

Greg Walker
OFTC CTD Graduate, c/o 2022