Course Overview
Commercial Driver Training Program
Program Manager
Program Specialist
Scott Jakovich
Veronica Rodriguez
Workforce Development
sjakovich@lbcc.edu
(562) 938-3221
Workforce Development
vrodriguez@lbcc.edu
(562) 938-3064
Contents
I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 3 II. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 3 III. COURSE OUTLINE .................................................................................................................... 4 IV. COURSE MATERIALS .............................................................................................................. 4 V. TRAINING CONTENT ............................................................................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL DRIVING ..................................................... 5 OWNER/OPERATOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP ........................................................... 6 PORT TERMINAL ACCESS & PROCEDURES ......................................................... 6 CLEAN TRUCK OPERATOR MAINTENANCE ........................................................ 7 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CERTIFICATION ........................................................... 7 COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ............................................................ 8 COMMERCIAL DRIVER TRAINING & LICENSING ................................................ 9 Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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I. Introduction
Long Beach City College (LBCC), in cooperation with the State of California and
the Harbor Trucking Association and it’s employer membership, has developed a
professionalized training program that is designed to instruct, certify, and license
students as Commercial Truck Drivers (CDL Class A) qualified to haul hazardous
freight and cleared to operate within the LA and Long Beach port complexes.
This 14-week training program prepares students for a career as a short-haul truck
driver and assists graduates with job placement within the local port drayage industry. During its initial first year pilot, this program offers subsidized training for eligible participants, with all tuition costs waived. Interested applicants are responsible for providing eligibility documentation that may require a processing fee,
plus their DMV testing and licensing fee.
As an experienced provider of workforce training, LBCC delivers quality education and vocational training that assists workers in acquiring new and/or updated
skills that lead to greater success in their current or future employment.
II. Eligibility Requirements
To participate in this training program, candidates must meet certain licensing
requirements as set forth by the State of California and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as satisfy intake and employment requirements established
for this program. Collectively, the program eligibility requirements include:
1. Must be at least 21 years of age.
2. Must posses a high school diploma or GED.
3. Must present a current and valid driver’s license.
4. Must show proof of US Citizenship or Permanent Residency.
5. Must be registered in the US Selective Service System (if applicable).
6. Must present a clean driver history record (H6; no excludable offenses).
7. Must present a clear criminal background check (no excludable offenses).
8. Must present a completed medical examination card (DL51a).
9. Must present a negative screen for drug/alcohol abuse.
10. Must pass an intake assessment and participant interview.
11. Must provide a resume and/or compete an employment application.
Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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III. Course Outline
This 288-hour program includes 7 instructional modules presented across 3 phases
of course delivery: in-class, off-road, and open-road. In-class training introduces
students to the basics of safe commercial vehicle operation from multiple instructional perspectives, and concludes with a DMV written exam for CDL Instruction
Permit w/ Hazardous Materials endorsement. Once a permit is attained, students
advance to the off-road training phase to practice vehicle inspection and basic
maneuvering techniques, until proven ready to attempt street driving. Here, students are pared with a licensed driving instructor for open-road, behind-thewheel training, which culminates with a DMV commercial driving test.
The program’s seven instructional modules are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Intro to Commercial Driving (16 hours)
Owner/Operator Entrepreneurship (10 hours)
Port Terminal Access & Procedures (20 hours)
Clean Truck Operator Maintenance (6 hours)
Hazardous Materials Certification (8 hours)
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety (8 hours)
Commercial Driver Training & Licensing (220 hours)
Upon successful completion of all seven modules, graduates will have earned a
California Class A CDL w/ Hazmat Endorsement, a DL51A Medical Card, a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), and Certificates of Completion
in Clean Truck Operations, Entrepreneurship, and Driver Safety.
Courses are held for 4 hours every Mon-Fri, generally between 8am and 5pm for
14 consecutive weeks. Classroom training is offered at the Long Beach City College Liberal Arts Campus, located at 4900 Conant St in Long Beach. Behind-thewheel training is provided at an off-campus partner facility.
IV. Course Materials
The following textbooks and study materials are provided with this program:
1. Class A CDL Permit Study Guide (LBCC)
2. Class A CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Guide (LBCC)
3. Commercial Driver Handbook (California DMV)
4. Trucking: Tractor-Trailer Driver Handbook (Alice Adams)
5. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (JJ Keller & Assoc)
6. Hazardous Materials Compliance (JJ Keller & Assoc)
7. Driver Daily Logbook (Motor Carrier Forms)
Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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V. Training Content
INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL DRIVING
Total Hours
16
Participants will learn:
• An overview of the commercial trucking industry, the role of the truck driver, the importance of proper training and driver safety, and employment opportunities. • The various agencies that regulate the commercial trucking industry, including the DOT,
DMV, FMCSA, and DHS, and their roles in driver licensing and certification. • An introduction to the DOT Rules and Regulations that govern commercial drivers, including driver qualifications, licensing procedures, special endorsements, and driving offenses that can suspend or cancel your license. • General driver knowledge as covered by the California DMV Commercial Driver Handbook. This includes test-prep and practice testing for the CDL Instruction Permit. • How to maintain an accurate driver logbook, including FMCSA regulations on hours of
service, proper interpretation of hours of service categories, the 10 hour test, extended
drive time and the 34-hour rule, sleeper berth time, exceptions to hours of service, and
the consequences of not complying with these regulations. • Basic vehicle identification and familiarization, including chassis and trailer types, points
of maintenance, driver’s instrument cluster and warning indicators, shifting, clutching,
and braking controls, safety mirrors, set belts, etc. • Systematic procedures for performing quick and complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections, covering all driver instrument gauges and controls, engine and drivetrain components, chassis and suspension components, steering and braking systems, tires, wheels,
and rims, lights and signals, coupling systems, emergency equipment, cargo securement, defect detection, fuel leak detection, etc. Includes Federal, State, and local regulations for inspections, including those for hazardous cargo, plus an introduction to the
FMCSA Biennial Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program and how inspection violations can
lead to significant owner and carrier fines. • Air Brake inspection, testing, and adjustment, governor cut-in, governor cut-out, low air
alarm, and air system hoses (COLA). • How to comply with California DOT regulations, state and local traffic laws, and state
and local restrictions on vehicle size and weight.
• How to load and unload cargo safely and efficiently, obtain gross weight and axle
weight, describe cargo load to meet legal weight and safety requirements, secure cargo using blocking, bracing, and other tie-down equipment, and generally demonstrate
proper cargo handling and documentation procedures.
• The handling and delivery of hazardous material loads, including state and federal
regulations, placard identification and placement, proper shipping documentation,
and communicating cargo contents to emergency responders.
Certifications Earned: California Commercial Instruction Permit, Class A.
Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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OWNER/OPERATOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Total Hours
10
Participants will learn:
• What it takes to start your own business and/or operate as an independent driving contractor, including what procedures to follow, the forms and licensing requirements, and
an introduction to business planning. • The legal, HR, and career benefits associated with each type of business opportunity,
including employee driver vs. independent contract, incorporating vs. sole proprietorship, and how each business entity differs.
• How to seek out and apply for business/vehicle financing and to understand of what
types of financing are available (SBA loans, line of credit, or other sources of capital).
• How to mange basic small business accounting functions, including an overview of
software tools (QuickBooks), generating a profit and loss statement, understanding the
importance of cash flow, maintaining a balance sheet, and setting sales projections.
• How to identify and demonstrate positive work behaviors, attitudes, and customer service skills that are critical to industry employment. Includes developing a career plan
that includes goals, objectives, and strategies to advance within the industry.
Certifications Earned: Completion Certificate
PORT TERMINAL ACCESS & PROCEDURES
Total Hours
20
Participants will learn:
• How to operate within the Port complex and interface with terminal operators. This includes an overview of the Port structures, driver access protocols, security procedures,
and an introduction to the various industry partners that service Port entities. • How to apply for and secure a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC); a
requirement to graduating from this program. Issued by the Department of Homeland
Security after an extensive background check, the TWIC card is a required access pass
for all drivers who service the Port freight terminals.
• Driver techniques for accessing, maneuvering, and operating within the Port, including
two days of on-the-job shadowing. New drivers accompany career drivers one-on-one
throughout their shift, to observe the procedures for moving containerized cargo from
the Port terminal to a local warehouse dock. Covers techniques for night driving, cargo
loading/unloading, navigation, dispatch communications, and driver documentation.
Certifications Earned: Completion Certificate
Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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CLEAN TRUCK OPERATOR MAINTENANCE
Total Hours
6
Participants will learn:
• Operator safety and awareness of basic engine fuel system components and processes
for both natural gas and clean diesel engine platforms, including the safe and proper
handling and refueling techniques for compressed and liquefied gaseous fuels. • The characteristics of and safe practices and procedures for working with flammable,
pressurized, and cryogenic fuels and fuel system components, including leak detection
techniques, cylinder/tank care and inspection, and tank depressurization.
• To identify and operate the recommended on-board fuel gauges, warning systems,
and monitoring equipment used within current advanced propulsion vehicle cabs. • The proper operation, maintenance, and servicing schedule for clean diesel catalytic
converters, emission particulate filter components, and methane detection systems. • The proper safety precautions and procedures for identifying and responding to emergency situations involving combustible and pressurized fuels, including crash site evaluation, fuel system component failures and leaks, inhalation/explosion/fire hazards, and
the effective communication of fuel hazards with emergency response personnel. Certifications Earned: Completion Certificate
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CERTIFICATION
Total Hours
8
Participants will learn:
• All requirements of CFR 49 172.704 to become certified to handle or transport hazardous
materials, as required by Federal regulations within the first 90 days of employment. • The application and renewal process for California and the Department of Homeland
Security, including training, assessment, and security background checks.
• The requirements for classification of materials, packaging (manufacture, qualification,
and maintenance), hazard communication (package marking, labeling, placarding,
and shipping documentation), transportation, handling, and incident reporting. • How to tell shippers to safely package hazardous cargo, including loading, securement,
and segregation, and how drivers should load, transport and unload cargo. • How to ensure the safety of hazardous cargo, including route and permit checks, refusing leaky or improperly marked packages, and proper securement and containment. • How to communicate the risk of hazardous cargo, including quantities and types, warning labels, proper package markings, vehicle placards, and the proper driver response
to a collision, cargo leak, or other emergency situations. Certifications Earned: Hazardous Materials Certification & Endorsement
Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
Total Hours
8
Participants will learn:
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Compliance, Safety, and
Accountability (CSA) program for scoring drivers and carriers on seven Behavior Analysis
Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs), which includes unsafe driving, hours of service
compliance, driver fitness, controlled substances & alcohol, vehicle maintenance, hazardous materials compliance, and crash indicators. Why this program is effective, why it
matters, and how it pertains to both drivers and carriers are covered topics. • To characterize and prevent CSA BASIC violations for unsafe driving, drug & alcohol use,
driver fatigue violations, driver fitness, vehicle maintenance, cargo & hazmat transport
and documentation issues, and to understand the severity tables for each.
• The elements of roadside inspection data, crash data, investigative data, the difference
between warnings, tickets, and citations, and how these affect driver safety scores.
• What to expect during a roadside inspection, including legalities and responsibilities, a
review of Inspection Levels I-VI, HazMat inspection procedures, out-of-service criteria,
driver paperwork, inspection results, disputing an inspection, and clean inspections.
• How to identify and handle the vehicle during adverse road conditions, including night
driving, winter and rainy weather driving, and underserviced roadways.
• Be aware of vehicle space and situational driving, including a review of rules of the
road, parking lot usage, mobile phone usage, school bus safety, lane changing, aggressive driving and road rage, mirror use, and effective driver communications.
• A review of pre- and post-trip inspections, cargo securement, and hours of service.
• To understand, identify, and explain the use of commercial vehicle safety equipment,
fire extinguishers and fire fighting procedures, seat belts and personal protection gear.
• The actions applicable to vehicle accidents and reporting to meet State, employer,
and insurance company requirements. Includes procedures for protecting the scene of
an accident, identifying hazardous cargo, completing an accident report, and driver
and carrier general liability issues and requirements.
• How to search the driving environment, how to identify immediate and potential hazard
situations presented by other vehicles and drivers, how to predict driver responses, how
to react and execute driving decisions based on observations and roadway changes.
• Where and where not to stop or idle the vehicle, which roadway areas are permitted or
prohibited, regulations relating to stopped and parked vehicles, and the placement of
emergency markers and the use of hazard warning lights.
• The components and practices of safe driving, including how to identify and manage
hazardous road conditions, potentially dangerous driving activities and characteristics
of other road users, the consequences of excessive speed, the consequences of drug
and alcohol use, braking distances versus cargo loading, emergency braking procedures, how to avoid crashes and rollover collisions, and defensive driving techniques. Certifications Earned: Completion Certificate
Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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COMMERCIAL DRIVER TRAINING & LICENSING
Total Hours
220
Participants will be able to:
• Safely operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and its safety systems, which includes CMV inspection, repair, and maintenance procedures; the effects of driver fatigue, vision & hearing impairment, alcohol & drug use, and general health conditions
on safe driving; proper use of lights, horns, side/rear mirrors, fire extinguishers, and instrument gauges; and correct procedures for using safety systems in emergencies.
• Perform basic CMV control maneuvers, including starting, warming-up, and shuttingdown the engine; moving and stopping the vehicle, backing in a straight line, and turning the vehicle (basic rules, off-tracking, right/left turns, right curves); shifting and common transmission use (when to shift, double-clutching), shift patterns and procedures,
and the consequences of improper shifting; performing a visual search, seeing ahead
and to the sides, seeing to the rear, and the use of mirrors; proper traffic communication, signaling intent, using lights and horns, and the misuse of communications.
• Perform advanced CMV control maneuvers, including speed management in relation
to stopping distance, surface conditions, visibility, and traffic flow; space management
and the importance of space cushions and traffic gaps; night operation and night driving factors (vision, glare, fatigue, inexperience, low/no illumination, unfamiliarity with
roadways, and erratic drivers); extreme driving conditions and hazards like snow, ice,
sleet, high wind, rain, high temperatures, and mountain driving; hazard perceptions and
clues for hazard recognition, emergency maneuvers and how/when to make them
(evasive steering, emergency stops, off-road recovery, brake failure, and blowouts),
and skid control and recovery techniques.
• Understand the relationship of cargo to vehicle control, including the consequences of
improperly secured cargo, proper weight distribution and packing, driver responsibility
for cargo securement, and Federal/State regulations pertaining to securement.
• Understand the objectives and proper procedures for performing vehicle safety inspections, including the importance of periodic inspections and repair, the effects of undiscovered malfunctions, safety-related inspection items (fluid leaks, visibility obstructions,
bad tires, wheel and rim defeats, braking/steering/suspension/exhaust/coupling system
defects, and cargo problems), pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspection procedures,
and the reporting of inspection faults and findings.
• Understand what constitutes hazardous material and the endorsement required to
transport such cargo, be able to identify the classifications of hazardous materials, understand the requirements for proper labeling and placard placement, and understand
the training and certification requirements for legally transporting hazardous materials.
• Understand the operation, inspection, and use of air brakes, including knowledge of the
air brake system nomenclature, the dangers of a contaminated air supply, the implications of a severed or disconnected air line, and the procedure for conducting safe and
accurate inspections of the automatic fail-safe devices, system monitoring devices, and
low-pressure warning alarm.
Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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• Understand the procedures for conducting en-route and post-trip air brake systems inspections, including detecting defects that may cause system failure, detecting air loss
during a specific timeframe (with and without engine running), and verifying the pressure levels that trip the low air pressure warning device and tractor protection valve.
• Demonstrate sufficient air brake system knowledge to (a) locate and verbally identify
air brake operating controls and monitoring devices, (b) determine the vehicle’s brake
system condition for proper adjustment and that air system connections between the
vehicle/trailers are properly made and secured, (c) inspect low pressure warning deices
to ensure they activate in emergency situations, (d) make sure the system maintains an
adequate supply of compressed air while engine is running, (e) determine that the minimum pressure build-up time is within acceptable limits and that required alarms and
emergency devices automatically deactivate at the proper pressure level, (f) operationally verify that the brake system is performing properly.
• Demonstrate safe on-road driving skills to (a) use proper visual search methods, (b) signal appropriately when changing direction in traffic, (c) adjust vehicle speed relative to
the condition of the roadway, weather, visibility, traffic, cargo, and driver, (d) choose a
safe gap for changing lanes, passing vehicles, and crossing/entering traffic, (e) position
the vehicle correctly before and after a turn to prevent other vehicles from passing on
the wrong side and/or problems caused by off-tracking, (f) maintain a safe following
distance regardless of road conditions, visibility, and cargo/vehicle weight, (g) adjust
vehicle operation to adapt to prevailing weather conditions, including proper speed selection, braking, direction changes, and following distance, (h) observe the road and
behavior of other motorists, particularly before changing speed and direction.
• Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in hazardous materials transport regulations, including (a) the hazardous materials table, (b) shipping paper requirements, (c) marking, labeling, and placarding requirements, (d) proper packaging, definitions, and preparation, (e) reporting hazardous materials accidents, (f) the rules for transporting through
tunnels and across railroad crossings, (g) forbidden materials and packaging, (h) loading, unloading, and cargo segregation, (i) passenger busses and hazardous materials,
and (j) proper vehicle attendance (parking, routes, cargo tanks, and safe havens).
• Demonstrate sufficient proficiency of emergency equipment and response procedures,
including (a) the use of equipment to protect the public, (b) special precautions for
equipment used in fires or when loading/unloading a hazardous materials laden vehicle, (c) the use of emergency equipment for tank vehicles, (d) special precautions for
different types of accidents, (e) special precautions for driving near a fire (or smoking)
while carrying hazardous materials, (f) special requirements for transporting Class 1.1
and 1.2 explosives, (g) emergency procedures for accident avoidance, accident recovery, and post-accident, and (h) practices and procedures not otherwise specified.
Certifications Earned: California Commercial Driver License, Class A
Long Beach City College, JDIF 12-336-082
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