Facility

Instruction is in residence with facility occupant level accommodating 20 students per classroom at any one time (amount can fluctuate depending on different circumstances). Prospective enrollees are encouraged to visit the physical facilities of the school and to discuss personal educational and occupational plans with school personnel prior to enrolling or signing enrollment agreements.

Applicants applying for admission to all the Truck Driving Academy programs must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicants must provide a copy of their (DMV, H-6) motor vehicle driving record which will be assessed by the school Director.
2. Applicants must be eighteen (18) years of age to enroll in the Truck Driver Training programs.
3. Applicants must pass a drug screen prior to any behind the wheel training.
4. Applicants must be able to pass the DOT physical. Requirements for the DOT physical can be found at the California DMV website.
5. Applicants must have their GED, Diploma, or a Class A Permit before being enrolled into school and prior to completing an enrollment agreement.

This institution, the facilities it occupies and equipment it utilizes, fully comply with any and all federal, state and local ordinances and regulations, including those requirements as to fire safety, building safety, and health. Classroom facilities and administrative offices do not have any obstructions that would hinder entry or exit by the handicapped.

Facilities of the Truck Driving Academy are well planned and designed for student comfort. All classroom and office areas are well lit, ventilated, and adhere to the stringent regulatory requirements of the State of California. Students are afforded the opportunity of utilizing classrooms, a library (placed in the classroom), student lounge and ample parking area. Classroom space is equipped with audio-visual supplies, including tablets / laptops. Truck Driving Academy also maintains safe equipment for its training purposes.

LIBRARY:

All materials needed to be successful at Truck Driving Academy are provided during the training course. If one would like additional resources, the nearest local library is located at: 4295 54th St, Sacramento CA 95828.

Sacramento Office / Classroom: The Sacramento office and classroom is about 1,900 square feet. There is water available to students along with a classroom for student study and learning. The office also holds restrooms available for the students while attending school. The Sacramento location also holds a training yard at the same location. The yard is about three quarters of an acre and is paved. It is set up on four students to one instructor ratio for drive training. At night, the yard is well lit for any evening classes offered.

Our Yuba City skills yard is at 8899 Garden Highway. The yard is about 1 acre and set up so that four students can safely practice skills at the same time. We have a canopy for shade and water along with a restroom.

STAFF AND FACULTY OWNERSHIP ADMINISTRATION & STAFF:

All faculty members employed with Truck Driving Academy meet or exceed the minimum requirements set forth by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Class at all locations start on a Monday; frequency is determined by enrollment needs.

SACRAMENTO & YUBA CITY LOCATIONS:

Monday through Friday, for four to six (4-6) weeks; to complete the program. *Students will receive two ten-minute breaks (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) as well as a 30 minute lunch break.

**Class times are subject to change. Students will be notified as soon as a change is determined necessary.

BUSINESS HOURS:

Office hours:
Sacramento Location
Mon – Fri; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Yard hours:
Sacramento and Yuba City
Mon – Fri; 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Instructional hours may change based on weather or other circumstances.

CLASS SIZE:

Class sizes will vary for all programs offered. Behind the wheel ratio is scheduled at 4 students to 1 instructor per tractor. Instruction ratios may vary slightly according to class enrollment, program presentation, guest speakers, or other uncontrollable events.

COURSE DESCRIPTION – OTR DRIVER TRAINING VOCATIONAL OBJECTIVE:

To train adults in the safe operation of tractor-trailer combinations and prepare them for the driver finishing programs offered by over-the-road trucking companies as on the job training. Upon completion of the 160 hours, graduates will have the requisite skills to obtain employment in the trucking industry with companies that deliver throughout the United States and Canada as a Heavy Truck Driver.

CLASSROOM TRAINING:

Students will be taught in a variety of methods: video’s, lectures, presentations, practice tests, and discussions. Students receive a study guide to be used while in training.

BEHIND-THE-WHEEL TRAINING:

We have several Freightliner trucks for the behind the wheel portion. We can accommodate four (4) students per one instructor for the drive portion. We use 28’ trailers for training.

DMV LICENSE TEST:

All students have the opportunity to obtain their license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at the end of their course. Students are given two attempts at the DMV included in their course. Licensing is NOT a requirement of graduation; however, it is necessary to obtain employment as a commercial driver. License testing at DMV consists of the following: ability to perform the Pre-Trip Inspection, proficiency with backing and parking skills, completing a road test which shows proficiency in shifting and driving. We utilize the Yuba City DMV and West Sac Commercial DMV.

GRADING:

Satisfactory progress is based upon the quality of performance and on objective skills which can be measured. Truck driving requires the attainment of specific theoretical and practical knowledge of law, equipment handling, driving techniques and other matter. Testing and examinations are given to ensure that students have met with the minimum or exceeded the requirements of both the regulatory process and our own institution.

GRADING SCALE:

Students will be evaluated on a pass or fail grading metric. Students must maintain a minimum passing grade in order to pass this course.

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS:

A. Conditions for interruption for unsatisfactory progress: Any student not actively progressing will be placed on probation for a one-week period. If the student abilities do not improve during the next one week period, the student will be interrupted. A grade failing indicates the class must be repeated. If a student withdraws early from school, an incomplete is assigned for the course. Truck Driving Academy’s programs are to be completed within one and one half times the approximate length listed in the training section of the catalog. VA students’ benefits are only paid for the approved program length of 160 hours.

B. Student behavior that is uncharacteristic, unbecoming and certainly volatile of normal conduct can result in termination from the program. If the school administration determines a student to be UNSAFE in the operation of a vehicle, the student will be suspended for a period designated by the school director. UNSAFE is defined as: the inability to control, maneuver or stop the equipment he or she is operating to the extent that such ineptitude would place the student, other students, instructors or the general public at risk.

C. Re-enrollment or re-entrance will be approved only after evidence is shown to the Director’s satisfaction that conditions which caused the interruption for unsatisfactory progress have been rectified.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

The graduation requirements are as follows:

1. Students must successfully complete 80% of the hours.
2. Students must maintain satisfactory attendance throughout the course.
3. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress with a passing grade.

Students will receive their Truck Driving Academy Certificate of Completion immediately after all graduation requirements have been satisfied.

PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE:

Truck Driving Academy makes a sincere effort to help graduates find suitable employment but cannot guarantee placement. We provide employee-employer liaison, and job matching. This is accomplished by generating job leads through employer calls, internet resources, and EDD resources. We also provide resume review and advising.

ADVISING:

Truck Driving Academy provides, in addition to career and job services, personal and academic advising at all levels of the administration. All staff, including the School Director, maintains an open-door policy for all students who need assistance both academically and personally. A referral program is available to any student that feels he or she is in need of personal counseling. Students interested in the referral program should contact the School Director.

Students are measured in terms of their level of performance of tasks, tests and examinations.

1. Failure to maintain satisfactory attendance will result in specific advising and recommendations by instructors.
2. Failure to perform work assignments will result in a failing grade.
3. Students who do not maintain the minimum grade point averages are placed on probation.
4. Students’ behaviors that are uncharacteristic, unbecoming, and certainly volatile of normal conduct can result in termination from the program.
5. Failure to pass the DOT drug test will result in interruption from class. Students may return to class after certain conditions set up by DOT regulations are met. Students must coordinate with School Director.
6. All problems or difficulties that a student encounters, whether in a behavioral or academic sense, should first be presented to the instructor in charge. Students should realize that the school encourages open communication and has the desire to resolve all problems.

STUDENT FINANCING:

Truck Driving Academy currently participates with the following federal and state educational financial aid programs: The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, VA, Workforce Investment Act (W.I.A.), Employment Training Panel, and the Cal Works program.

The Financial Aid officers at Truck Driving Academy will have information on the local offices that determine eligibility for these programs. Be advised that if the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the money’s not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.

CREDIT EVALUATION POLICY:

Students with previous training in the course pursued will be evaluated upon enrollment. Evaluation will be based upon any and all of the following methods:

• written examination
• oral examination
• drive test
• all transcripts of prior training will be requested for evaluation

Credit allowed will be recorded on the enrollment record and the length of the course shortened proportionately.