Truck Driving
Chemeketa's truck driving certificate will provide the knowledge and skills needed to earn your Commercial Driver License (CDL) in four weeks. **This program is not financial aid eligible**
topics Trades
Skills & InterestCoordination
CareersService Professions
Why choose Truck Driving?
Over the next ten years, the employment field for truck drivers is expected to grow by at least 6 percent. Plus, there is currently a shortage of truck drivers. A current shortage of 50,000 truck drivers nationwide is expected to grow to 174,000 drivers by 2026. In the Mid-Valley, there are almost 400 openings annually for truck drivers stemming from job growth and replacing retired drivers.
What will you learn?
Chemeketa's truck driving certificate program consists of 160 hours of coursework-
- XCDL 9100A- Introduction to Professional Truck Driving & Logistics (40 hours)
- XCDL 9100B- Practical Applications in Professional Truck Driving & Logistics (80 hours)
- XCDL 9100C- Transportation Customer Service Skills (40 hours)
This coursework will provide the skills necessary for you to earn your Commercial Driver License, or CDL.
What will you do?
A career in truck driving can provide many things-
- Job security
- Great starting salaries
- Variety of cargo hauling
- Options for local or interstate jobs
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Program Requirements
In order to be eligible for the program, you must-
- Have a valid driver's license with a minimum of one year of driving experience
- Be at least 18 years old to drive in-state, and 21 years old to drive across state lines
- Provide verifiable work history or schooling
- Certain felony convictions can limit employment. Hazmat hauling has stricter rules; if you plan to haul Hazmat materials, inquire with employer/DMV prior to pursuing program
- Pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination (DOT Medical Examiner's Card)
- Pass a DOT drug screening (completed after acceptance into the program, and ordered by Chemeketa)
- Obtain a Class A CDL learner permit with Airbrake and Combination Vehicles endorsements. Tests administered at DMV in English only.
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Session Start Dates
**2025 Class Schedule:** (Please note that these dates are subject to change) When applying, please indicate your preferred month.
January Class
- January 6
- Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training)
- No class/Holiday on 1/20
- FULL, no longer accepting alternates
February Class
- February 3
- Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training)
- No class/Holiday on 2/17
- FULL, no longer accepting alternates
March Class
- March 3
- Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training)
- FULL, no longer accepting alternates
April Class
- April 7
- Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training)
- Full, no longer accepting alternates
May Class
- May 5
- Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 5 pm (4-week training)
- No class/Holiday on 5/26
- Full, no longer accepting alternates
June Class
- June 2
- Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 5 pm (4-week training)
- No class/Holiday on 6/19
- Full, no longer accepting alternates
July class
- July 7
- Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 5 pm (4-week training)
- Full, no longer accepting alternates
August Class
- August 4
- Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 5 pm (4-week training)
- Accepting applications, accepting alternates
September Class
- September 2
- Monday through Thursday 7 am to 5 pm (4-week training)
- No class/Holiday on 9/1
- Accepting applications, accepting alternates
October Class
- October 6
- Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm (4-week training)
- Accepting applications, accepting alternates
November Class
- November 3
- Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm (3-week training, may be updated to 4)
- No class/Holiday on 11/11
- Accepting applications, accepting alternates
December Class
- December 1
- Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm (3-week training, may be updated to 4)
- Accepting applications, accepting alternates
Applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis.
Alternates are based on the order in which the application was received. Securing a spot in the next available class automatically puts you on the alternate list unless you have asked not to be added. If a space becomes available in a class the alternate will be contacted with a deadline to respond to take the available space.
Updated July 8th at 8:19 am.
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Application Process
Please complete the following steps for entry into the program-
- Complete the paper Truck Driving Application OR the online truck driving application
- Submit a front and back copy of your driver's license (must be licensed for a minimum of 1 year) **can be uploaded with online application**
- Submit a front and back copy of your Commercial Learner's Permit (obtained after 3 DMV tests and DOT Physical) **can be uploaded with online application**
- Submit a copy of your DOT Medical Examiner's card **can be uploaded with online application**
- A certified court printout of your driving record from DMV for the last ten years (available at DMV for $3) **can be uploaded with online application**
- Applicants should ensure they will meet the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requirements to get a CDL
Applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis.
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Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees for the program are as follows-
Prior to Training Fee Paid By Amount DOT Drug Screen Student (Chemeketa orders, paid online) $45 Clearinghouse Query Student to Clearinghouse $1.50 DOT Physical Exam Student to testing facility $100+ DOT Driving Record Student to DMV $3 CDL Learners Permit Student to DMV $40 Knowledge Test Student to DMV $10 Airbrakes Test Student to DMV $10 Combination Vehicles Student tp DMV $10 CDL Program
TuitionStudent (see "payment information" menu
for scholarship information below)$5,500 (starting September 2025) Post Training Fee Paid By Amount CDL Testing Student testing facility $240 CDL Driver's License Student to DMV $160-$224 *Tuition and fees are subject to change.
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Payment Information
Payment Methods (non-credit programs are not eligible for financial aid through Chemeketa financial aid office.):
- Cash, Check, Credit Card
- Payment plan through your My Chemeketa account
- Grants/Scholarships
- Available to qualifying students through several different programs. Please see the "Grants and Scholarships" menu for more information.
- Personal Loans
- Students can obtain their own financing through a financial institution of their choice
Several trucking companies have sign-on bonuses or tuition reimbursements once a student earns their CDL.
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Grants and Scholarships
Financial assistance is available through the following programs. You will still need to fill out a Truck Driving Application in addition to these applications for funding. See the Application Process tab for more information.
Future Ready Grant 2024-2025
Future Ready Oregon is a comprehensive $200 million investment package that supports the education and training Oregonians need for family-wage careers. This package includes strategic and targeted investments focused on advancing opportunities for historically underserved communities.
Chemeketa is proud to be a part of this initiative, with 60 spots available for individuals seeking to benefit from the Future Ready Oregon grant. (Please call to confirm the available spots left)
To take advantage of this opportunity, interested individuals must follow these steps:
1. Submit a completed Chemeketa Commercial Driver Training application.
2. Secure a spot in one of the upcoming trainings (see Session Start Dates tab).Upon completion of the above steps, you will be emailed a link to apply for this grant. It is important to note that if approved, the grant will cover tuition and third-party testing fees only. Students will be responsible for covering all other associated costs related to the program.
Qualifying applicants must meet one or more of these criteria.
- Communities of color
- Women
- Low-income individuals
- Veterans
- Individuals with Disabilities
- Formerly incarcerated individuals
- Individuals who receive food assistance (SNAP)
- Refugees and eligible immigrant populations, including seasonal farmworkers (Must be licensed for a minimum of one year in the US to qualify for CDL)
- English Language Learners (recommended to be at a B2 level for CDL)
- Member of Oregon’s nine Federally recognized Indian Tribes
- Individuals residing in rural communities (population under 50,000)
Chemeketa STEP Program
Students can obtain more information on the STEP webpage, or call 503.399.6482. Students can also visit the Career Pathways Certificate Page for an alternative to STEP funding. To qualify for funding, applicants must complete the following steps:
1. Submit a completed Chemeketa Commercial Driver Training application.
2. Secure a spot in one of the upcoming trainings (see Session Start Dates tab).To be eligible for STEPS, you must:
- Must currently be receiving SNAP benefits
- Must not be on TANF
- Must be interested in pursuing training and/or educational opportunities
- Make an appointment
- Pursuing Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs & Degrees
If you're pursuing a certificate, AAS degree, prerequisite classes, or license/certification exam, STEP can help with:
- Success coaching is dedicated to providing academic and personal support, connecting you to resources
- Gap funding to assist with required CTE certificate or degree program expenses-
- Tuition and fees
- Textbooks
- Tools
- Certification exams
- Transportation
Worksource Oregon Vocational Scholarship
- Complete and update an iMatchSkills profile: https://empportal.emp.state.or.us/mprod_imscod_dad/!pkg_startup.proc_new_home
- Schedule and complete a Welcome conversation with the employment department (this includes ID verification): https://www.worksourceoregon.org/contact
- This can be completed virtually or in person at any Worksource Center
- In that Welcome conversation, make sure to request a referral to WIOA services for funding for their program
- Additional funding is available through the STEPS program at Worksource
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Refresher Courses
Need to brush up on your truck driving skills? We offer one-on-one training with our instructors to address your areas of need. See pricing below!
**CDL must not have lapsed/expired more than 5 years to qualify for a refresher**
Skills assessment required (done with an instructor who then recommends the number of hours).
Refresher Courses Description Paid By Amount 2 Hours-Truck Testing only Student $200 3 Hours Student $350 5 Hours Student $550 7 Hours Student $750 15 Hours Student $1200 -
HAZMAT Training
Need a Hazmat endorsement on your CDL? We offer an online course for a hazardous materials endorsement allowing you to drive any vehicle carrying hazardous materials.
You must have your CDL Class A License or Learner's Permit for acceptance to class (required to submit a copy).
Classes are offered year-round. Please email truckdriving@chemeketa.edu or call 503.584.7537 for enrollment information.
Description Paid By Amount Hazmat Online Course Student $200 Additional Requirements per DMV
You must:
- Meet the requirements for, or have, a CDL;
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident [ORS 807.173(1)(c)];
- Pay for and pass the HAZMAT Endorsement Knowledge Test;
- Pay for and pass a Transportation Security Administration Criminal Background Check (see below);
- Pass a vision test; and
- Pay the endorsement and replacement fee.
Note: You are required to pass the HAZMAT Knowledge Test every time you renew your license.
Transportation Security Administration Security Threat Assessment
- You must pass a TSA security check every five years to keep this endorsement.
- The security check can take 60 days or more to complete.
- You must pass another TSA security check if you are coming from another state and your last TSA check was more than 4 years and 9 months ago.
- We will verify the date of a previous security check with the TSA.
- You must start a TSA security check online at the TSA website or by calling Universal Enrollment Services at 855-347-8371.
- Check the status of your case to see if you passed.