Commercial Vehicle Operations (CDL)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This course prepares students for employment as professional commercial drivers and follows all Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Entry-Level Driver Training rules, regulations, and guidelines. Classroom theory and behind-the-wheel training is provided covering topics such as DOT rules and regulations; pre and post trip inspections; backing and maneuvering; driving on rural, urban, and interstate highways; handling cargo; hours of service; and defensive driving. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to test for one of the following licenses: CDL Class A-tractor-trailer or CDL Class B-straight truck. This final skills test is administered by Fletcher's state-approved examiners. To be eligible for this course, students MUST be at least 18 years of age; have a valid LA Driver's License with no flags/blocks; pass a Department of Transportation physical and drug screen; and obtain their Class A or B Permit through the LA Office of Motor Vehicles prior to the start of the course.

2025 COURSE SCHEDULE

Eligible students may qualify for funding through their local LA Workforce offices.

PROGRAM LOCATION

Thibodaux Facility
1425 Tiger Drive
Thibodaux, LA

CLASS A/B LICENSE

Day classes: Mon-Fri., 7am to 3pm, (6 weeks). Day classes are face-to-face.

Night classes: Mon-Thurs., 4:30pm to 9:30pm, (8 weeks). Night classes are hybrid (combination of online and face-to-face).

Cost: $5,500 (includes 3rd party skills exam after course completion.)

Steps to Enroll (These steps must be completed in this order):
- Complete an admissions application. When completing the application, choose "Commercial Vehicle Operator" as your major.
- Find a physician near you to obtain a Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Physical. The physician must be listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Cost of physical varies, but is usually around $60. CLICK HERE to find a physician near you.
- Study for the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). It is strongly recommended that all applicants obtain a Class A permit. This allows operation of both Class A & B vehicles. You will need to pass DMV tests for General Knowledge, Combination, and Air Brakes to obtain your CLP. Study for tests using the following links:
- Test for your CLP by visiting an Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) location. The test consists of multiple-choice questions based on information obtained from the Louisiana CDL Manual and study guides. Cost of CLP is $15.00. Tests can be taken twice daily and on multiple days for no additional fee. CLICK HERE to find an OMV location near you.
- Once all of the previous steps have been completed, register for the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. This must be done no more than thirty (30) days before the first day of Fletcher’s CVO class. CLICK HERE to register following the directions below.
  - Register as “Student Driver”.
  - Select “Student Driver Consortium” as your C/TPA.
  - Pay for and run full query on yourself. Cost of query is $1.25. A copy of the query must be provided to Fletcher.
  - Request and pay for your drug test by CLICKING THIS LINK for American Drug Testing Consortium and completing the registration form. Drug testing must be scheduled through the consortium; outside tests will not be accepted. Cost of the drug test is $65.00.
  - PROCOM (C/TPA) will quickly set up drug testing at a convenient in-network location. PROCOM will also:
    - provide a DOT-approved drug and alcohol policy to students as required by FMCSA;
    - assist students in setting up required drug testing and will provide students proof of enrollment in the consortium; and
    - once a quarter, run a random drug test selection of currently enrolled students and notify selected students directly. Fletcher will pay costs of any random drug tests of students while enrolled in its CVO Program.
- Fletcher will need copies of the following items prior to acceptance into the CVO program:
  - Driver’s License
  - DOT FMCSA Physical (Medical Examiners Certificate)
  - Class A Commercial Learner’s Permit
  - PROCOM Proof of Enrollment (This serves as proof that negative results were received by PROCOM from the DOT FMCSA Drug Screen.)
  - Approved Funding or Self Pay

Estimated Costs
DOT FMCSA Physical	$60
Class A Commercial Learner's Permit	$15
PROCOM Enrollment/DOT FMCSA Drug Screen	$65
Fletcher's CVO Course Tuition	$5,500

HAZMAT ENDORSEMENT TRAINING

This online course covers 12 units of instruction on the safety and compliance regulations required for the Entry-Level Driver Training Hazardous Materials Endorsement as mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Upon the successful completion of this course, results will be submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry which is used by each state's Office of Motor Vehicles to verify training requirements have been met in order to sit for the Hazardous Materials Endorsement knowledge test. The cost of the course is $125.

Steps to Enroll:
- Complete an admissions application. When completing the application, choose "Transportation and Logistics" as your major.
- After submitting application, log into LoLA.
- Register for the course:
  - In LoLA, go to the "Student" tab
  - Click "Registration" on the left side of the page
  - Click "Register for Classes"
  - Select the term
  - Search "Transportation/Matral Move/Log" in the Subject box and search
  - Select the "ELDT Hazardous Material" course and save to register
- Pay for the course
  - In LoLA go to the "Student" tab
  - Click "Payment/Payment Plan Processing"
  - This will take you to CashNet, where you can pay your balance using a card or check
  - If paying with cash, please visit the Business Office at our main campus (1407 Hwy 311, Schriever)
- Log into the Course in Canvas
  - Go to the home page in LoLA
  - Towards the middle of the page, in the "Canvas" box, click the "Fletcher Technical Community College" link
  - Log into Canvas (Canvas login is the same as LoLA)
  - Click the "Courses" tab to the left side of the page
  - Select the HazMat course
  - Follow the instructions listed in the course to complete your HazMat assignments.