|
Southwest Technical College |
 |
The goal of Southwest Truck School is to provide men and women who are interested in becoming professional truck drivers, the finest training available. Our qualified, professional instructors have the knowledge, experience, and patience to assist the student in developing his or her skills to become an entry-level driver. The professional staff of Southwest Truck School will provide the knowledge necessary to train the student, and ensure that the transition into the trucking industry will be a rewarding experience.
Why Choose Southwest |
|
Choosing a truck driving or mechanics school is a tough decision. You are making a major career change. It requires an investment of time and money. Is this the right career and the right school?
|
Our school offers you
-
- Flexible Schedules
-
- In the truck instruction
- Job Placement
- Financing - Easy Terms
- Day & Evening Programs
- Bilingual Classes
- Professional Instructors
- Satisfaction Guarantee
-
- Member of Commercial Vehicle Training Association
OUR PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY
The goals and objectives of Southwest Truck School is to provide men and women who are interested in becoming professional truck drivers the finest training available. Our qualified professional instructors have the knowledge, experience, and patience to assist the student in developing his or her skills to become an entry-level driver. The professional staff of Southwest Truck School, will provide the knowledge necessary to train the student, and ensure transition into the trucking industry will be a rewarding experience.
SOUTHWEST TRUCK SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Southwest Truck School was founded in 1999. In the fall of 2001 a managing team led by Rick Rodriguez-President was established to oversee the Truck Driving course. This team has over ten years of truck driving instruction and truck driving school management.
INSTRUCTOR TO STUDENT RATIO
Classroom Training: 1 Instructor to 30 Students
Lab Training: 1 Instructor to 3 Students
Field Training: 1 Instructor to 3 Students
Southwest Truck School Students are trained in late model two (2) and three (3) axel conventional trucks. Our trucks are equipped with the engine and transmission combinations commonly used today. Students pull various types of single and double trailers.
Course Descriptions |
|
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The truck driver training course is a 180-hour course (4 1/2 weeks) taught in residence. The course is a combination of classroom lecture, home study, exams and observation and hands-on training. The course training is as follows:
Classroom Training totals 56 hours of instruction and provides the student with an entry-level knowledge of the Trucking Industry, Department of Transportation Safety, and Drivers Log Book and preparation for the DMV Commercial Drivers License Permit written examination. The student will take the DMV administered written test on the Monday of the second week of training. The materials used are Tractor Trailer Operations Manual, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and Commercial Drivers Handbook.
Lab Training consists of 50 hours of "Hands-On" training in the areas of Vehicle Inspection, Coupling and Uncoupling, Brake Adjustment, Backing and Parking Skills.
This training is designed to allow the student to become familiar with the Tractor and Trailer and develop some basic control skills before he or she enters the field training portion of the course.
Orientation |
2 hrs |
Skid Control & Recovery |
2 hrs |
Introduction to Trucking |
2 hrs |
Accident Procedures |
2 hrs |
Control Systems |
2 hrs |
Sliding Fifth Wheels & Tandem Axles |
1 hr |
Hours of Service (Log Book) |
20 hrs |
Special Rigs |
1 hr |
Vehicle Inspection |
17 hrs |
Basic Control |
2 hrs |
Shifting |
2 hrs |
Recognizing/ Reporting Malfunctions |
2 hrs |
Backing |
6 hrs |
Coupling/Uncoupling |
2 hrs |
Communication |
2 hrs |
Handling Cargo |
4 hrs |
Visual Search |
2 hrs |
Cargo Documentation |
2 hrs |
Space Management |
2 hrs |
Personal Health and Safety |
1 hr |
Speed Management |
3 hrs |
Trip Planning |
2 hrs |
Extreme Driving Conditions |
3 hrs |
Public Relations & Employer-Employee Relations |
2 hrs |
Hazard Awareness |
3 hrs |
The Commercial Driver’s License |
5 hrs |
Vehicle Systems |
2 hrs |
Trouble Shooting |
3 hrs |
Emergency Maneuvers |
3 hrs |
Class Review & Testing |
4 hrs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Hours |
106 Hrs |
 Field Training consists of 74 hours of instruction using conventional tractors with various trailers. The student will learn the skills necessary to become a safe entry-level truck driver. Road training is taught based on a progressive schedule of driving skills development using a driving shifting range and various streets and highways around the city area. The student will go to the local Department of Motor Vehicles for his/her final road test on one of the last two days of his/her training as scheduled by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Students will be tested using tractor and trailer provided by Southwest Technical College.
Introduction to Trucking |
4 hrs |
Communication |
3 hrs |
Basic Control |
8 hrs |
Space Management |
3 hrs |
Shifting |
18 hrs |
Speed Management |
1 hr |
Backing |
30 hrs |
Extreme Driving Conditions |
1 hr |
Coupling/Uncoupling |
4 hrs |
Hazard Awareness |
1 hr |
Visual Search |
1 hr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Hours |
74 hrs | |
|
|
|
|
