The Commercial Driver Training (CDT) certificate program is designed to offer individuals basic knowledge of the principles, techniques, and skills necessary for safe, efficient operation of tractor-trailer vehicles. The curriculum includes: CDL permit preparation, hazardous materials training, Department of Transportation federal regulations, logging, and trip planning. Extensive hands-on driving experience both on the range and on the road is also included. The CDT classes ensure the students have a broad-based knowledge of the concepts and skills necessary to become safe, efficient commercial drivers.

Commercial Driver Training Facility

Located at 1240 S 4TH AVE Canton Illinois 61520

Direct line: (309) 647-2794

Certificates and Degrees

Nature of Work

Businesses rely on truck drivers for the delivery and pickup of goods. Even if goods travel in part by ship, train or airplane, trucks carry nearly all goods at some point in their journey from producer to customer. Drivers report equipment that is inoperable, missing or loaded improperly to the dispatcher. The length of each transport may vary. Local drivers may provide daily service for a specific route, while other drivers travel throughout various regions of the country. This program is part of the Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Career Cluster.

Qualifications: Must have a valid Illinois Drivers License and no history of drug use (including marijuana or cannabis infused products). License must not expire within 1 year prior to start date of class.

Employment Opportunities

  • Over-the-road driver
  • Long distance driver
  • Local delivery driver
  • Fleet service technician
  • Fleet manager
  • Trucking dispatcher

Funding Sources for CDT

Illinois Veteran & National Guard Grant – Contact Charlie Cox, SRC Veteran’s Coordinator (309) 649-6267 or Nikki Rittenhouse, SRC Financial Aid/Veterans Specialists (309) 833-6021.

Bank Loans – Contact your local bank for personal loan information.

Many trucking companies offer 100% tuition reimbursement programs as part of their benefit package.

  • This program is offered as a sign-on bonus to attract new drivers
  • Tuition reimbursement usually begins after the student has been on the job for 90 days
  • The program pays you back at a rate of approximately $100.00 per month as long as you are employed
  • There are no contracts to sign & no obligation to stay
  • Current companies offering the full tuition reimbursement are: Sharkey Transport, DOT Foods, Roehl Transport, Paschall Truck Lines, & USA Truck Inc.
  • Call Spoon River College for more details: (309) 647-2794

MAP Grants are available for CDL training.

Current tuition for CDL training is $4,850 plus fees.

Career Link Grant

  • Career Link – Fulton County 111 N. Main St. Canton, IL. 61520 (309) 647-2946
  • Career Link – Mason County 230 W. Main St. Havana, IL. 62644 (309) 543-1035
  • Career Link – Peoria County 115 S.W. Adams Room 114 Peoria, IL 61602 (309) 999-4592​
  • Career Link-Tazewell County 2956 Court St. Sunset Plaza Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 347-8492
  • Cass County JTPA 201 State St. Beardstown, IL. 62618 (217) 323-5844
  • Job Service – Tazewell County 200 S. 2nd St. Suite 10 Pekin, IL. 61555 (800) 662-1882

Workforce Investment Grant

Illinois Department of Human Services Grant

Must have a mental, physical, learning, or social disability/impairment or recovering addiction to qualify.

National Farm Workers Grant

For current or past agriculture workers.

Community Action Partnership Grant

Scholarships

Farm Bureau – IIA Scholarship

McDonough County “Operation Generosity” Scholarship

Degree

Certificates

Commercial Driver Training Certificate:
17 Credit Hours

First 4 WeeksCredit Hrs.
CDT101Commercial Driver Training - Basic10
10
Next 11 WeeksCredit Hrs.
CDT200Commercial Driver Training – Advanced7
7

Basic Commercial Driver Training Certificate:
10 Credit Hours

Required CoursesCredit Hrs.
CDT100Commercial Driver Training - Basic10
10
For the Commercial Driver’s License only, students must enroll in all three courses concurrently.​