CDL Truck Driving

Why get CDL training at Elgin Community College

ECC is a truck driving school in Elgin that offers the most comprehensive training program in the area. We offer smaller class sizes, with up to 3 students per truck, ensuring more time behind the wheel. Our partnerships with local companies, municipalities, and utilities help you launch your career with quality employers. We offer Class A: Theory, BTW-Public Road, and BTW-Range and Hazardous Materials: Theory.

How do I start a career as a truck driver?

 ECC admits students to the program every semester. After applying, you’ll begin at the start of the new semester with eight weeks during the day or sixteen weeks at night. The program includes online coursework, yard skills, and road skills from day one, all with experienced faculty dedicated to your success.

How long does it take to get a commercial driving license?

Truck Driving is a high-demand career, offering excellent pay. ECC prepares you for this lucrative, dynamic, and fulfilling career in one semester. Classroom instruction and on-the-road hands-on training equip you with the skills needed to earn your CDL license. This prepares you for immediate employment and a successful career on the road. Get trained and on the road fast with ECC's new 8-week CDL program. The accelerated program offers comprehensive training, smaller class sizes, and hands-on experience with instructors, similar to the 16-week program.

What is the student-teacher ratio?

ECC Truck Driving Program caps classes with a 3:1 student-teacher ratio for personalized instruction and professional road observation. Students receive seasoned hands-on training from teachers who mentor with sufficient credentials that provide extensive cross-functional experience.

What's the average experience of the Instructors?

ECC truck driver instructors have decades of local and cross-country driving experience in multi-wheel vehicles, with or without trailers. A truck driving instructor well exceeds 12 years of hands-on and in-class instruction in addition to their practice. These instructors bring extensive industry knowledge, helping students master advanced skills needed for success in the field.

Is ECC and its Instructors licensed to train class CDL A?

ECC is on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) list of approved entry-level driver training (ELDT) facilities. This allows all students to progress through the curriculum with a clear understanding of requirements, rules, and regulations that secure certification.

How much time will I be at the wheel?

At ECC, on-the-road training is the most critical component of the curriculum. This is where the rubber meets the road, and everything learned in the classroom is applied in real time.  
Students receive 50 hours of hands-on wheel training and 170 hours of skills lot training.

Where will I take my state CDL test?

ECC students go to the West Chicago Illinois Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) for testing with ECC trucks. Students take pre-trip, skills, and road tests. During training, you will practice test driving and maneuvers on the Secretary of State (SOS) road test route. The ECC skills lot you practice in your curriculum replicates the SOS skills lot. The combination of ECC's truck driving facility and the SOS road test route provides invaluable support for students. This setup boosts students' confidence, helping them successfully complete all testing.

Careers for Forklift Drivers

ECC offers a Forklift Operator Certificate through classroom and hands-on instruction. Understand how to operate the intricacies of forklift operations and all the safety factors.  
This includes truck manipulation, such as turning, stopping, and parking. It also covers fork manipulation, including placement, tilting, and skid control. A forklift operator certificate enhances your degree, adding value for truck drivers and employees in manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics.

 The U.S. Department of Labor estimates a 7 percent growth in material moving machine operator jobs over the next decade. Forklift operators are included in this category. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Material Moving Machine Operators (accessed December 22, 2021).

What are the duties of a forklift operator?

Many functions require a forklift that is individually connected to the forklift operator. The primary purpose of an operator is to lift and move heavy materials that are packaged and bundled on pallets. The adjustable fork on the lift allows the operator to maneuver objects by placing them underneath the object. They're used primarily in warehouses, loading docks, storage lots, and large retail stores. Using a forklift requires exceptional knowledge of payloads, navigation skills, and critical safety practices.

How long does it take to get certification as a forklift operator?

ECC students learn safety inspections, balance calculations, and forklift operations for raising and lowering loads, both with and without loads. All instruction complies with recommended training outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

Is it worth it to get certified as a warehouse forklift operator?

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates a 7 percent growth for material moving machine operators over the next decade. Forklift operators fall under this category. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Material Moving Machine Operators (accessed December 22, 2021). This dynamic field meets local, state, and federal needs, from retail to wholesale and warehouses. It also supports the trucking industry, all federally regulated by OSHA.