Truck Driving

Scott Community College 
 
Program Description
American business moves by truck, and the demand for reliable drivers is always high. Graduates of Scott Community College's ten-week Truck Driving program are sought for employment by area and national trucking firms who visit or call the campus regularly to recruit. 
 
Scott's ten-week program allows for a minimum of 32 hours per week behind the wheel, city and highway driving. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations are thoroughly covered. An important component just added is the first aid and CPR course. 
 
Our program devotes 64 hours to classroom instruction. We also prepare our students to take and pass the Commercial Driver's License exam, a necessity for all commercial drivers in the United States. Graduates earn nine hours of college credit.
 
Classes begin every seven weeks from March through November. 

Profession Description 
A truck driver is a professional who may drive for a company, but is basically in business for him or herself. He or she must be good at time and business management and be committed to safe and courteous driving in all kinds of weather. Drivers must know how to navigate a route that may take them all the way across the United States, and they must know their vehicle inside and out. Truck drivers may find themselves on the road for two weeks at a time, making the preceding skills extremely important.
 
A local driver may be required to load and unload the trailer. Over-the-road drivers who haul palletized loads are not required to load or unload. Different loads make various demands of the driver.
 
Overall, a truck driving professional takes pride in his or her work and company, and consequently, may earn a great living with full benefits. After some experience, a driver may become an owner-operator. 
   

Typical Duties
Vehicle Inspection (pre- and post-trip)
Proper Driving Procedures
Keeping Log Books (For safety and legality)
Responsibility for Freight

Printable Information

Brochure pdf.*

Fact Sheet pdf.*

Printable (MS Word) Program Guide/Extended Information

*Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free download.

Quad City Times story
on trucking program  
and industry