The Truck Driving Program includes 320 hours of education consisting of classroom and hands-on yard and road training. In addition to driving skills, students learn map reading, trip planning, log keeping, vehicle systems, cargo handling, driving under adverse conditions, defensive driving, and transporting hazardous materials. The mandatory written examination and the driving test must be taken at a designated commercial driver’s license testing center for licensure or permit. Equipment for the driving test will be provided to ECC students. To be commercially licensed intrastate, students must be at least age 18; age 21 for interstate and/or to transport placarded hazardous materials.
Entrance Requirements
Must pass federal Department of Transportation (DOT) “qualifications and disqualifications,” and potential students must meet fill out the following link to receive instructor's consent.
Program Requirements
Students must possess a valid Illinois drivers license that does not expire in 1.5 years. Students must have a valid ECC student ID.
Special Admission Requirement
The DOT has regulations which govern the use of drugs and alcohol by commercial motor vehicle drivers, and which require Elgin Community College to conduct mandatory drug and alcohol testing of students in the Truck Driving Program at specific times and under specific conditions. These regulations are available in the Advising Center, the Office of Student Life, and the Truck Driving Department.
Forklift Operator Entrance Requirements
The forklift certificate consists of classroom and hands-on instruction in the safe operation of lift trucks. Students will be instructed on safety inspections, balance calculation, safe operation for loading/unloading and movement of lift with and without loads. All instruction will follow training requirements outlined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Students will earn a Forklift Operator Certificate upon completion.
Qualifying students must be a minimum of 18 years of age, in good mental and physical health, be able to lift a minimum of twenty-five pounds unassisted, bend, stretch, sit, and stand for extended periods of time. Must be drug and alcohol free. Operators are not required to hold a state driver's license. Note: many companies may require an operator to be 21 years of age to operate a lift truck.
Basic Vocational
- Perform required inspections of commercial vehicles.
- Skillfully and safely back up vehicles to minimum standards.
- Skillfully and safely drive commercial tractor-trailer combinations on public roadways.
Forklift Operator
- Describe the purpose and uses of a lift truck
- Perform proper and through per-operational safety inspection
- Demonstrate proper operational safety habits
- Demonstrate the basic operation and controls in lifting, lowering and movement of loads
Truck Driving Owner/Operator - Vocational Specialist
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BRG 101 | Truck Driving I | 6 |
BRG 201 | Truck Driving II | 6 |
BRG 202 | Truck Driving III | 4 |
BRG 203 | Defensive Driving Techniques | 2 |
CIS 110 | Computer Concepts & Business Appls | 3 |
BUS 100 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
BUS 101 | Business Communications I | 3 |
ACC 100 | Introductory Accounting | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Truck Driving - Basic Vocational Specialist
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BRG 101 | Truck Driving I | 6 |
BRG 201 | Truck Driving II | 6 |
BRG 202 | Truck Driving III | 4 |
Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Certified Forklift Operator - Basic Vocational Specialist
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BRG 110 | Fork Lift Operator | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 1 |
Truck Driving Courses
All BRG courses numbered 100 and above may be applied to the major field and elective requirement for the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees.
Completion of BRG 101 Truck Driving I, BRG 201 Truck Driving II, and BRG 202 Truck Driving III will prepare the student to take the necessary exams to obtain a license to operate a tractor trailer.
BRG 101 Truck Driving I (6)(6,0)
This course will include vehicle systems, D.O.T. rules and regulations, logs, and all legal topics of interest to trucking and transportation. Additional topics include defensive driving, cargo handling, hazardous materials. (1.2) Proficiency Credit Not Available Pass/No Credit Not Available.
In-District Tuition/Fees: $892 (effective 2022/23 academic year)
In-district tuition rates are subject to change based on Board approval.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer
BRG 110 Fork Lift Operator (1)(1,0)
This course covers the aspects of safe operation of forklifts in the industrial logistics environment. The course will cover safe operation of the lift truck including, pre-operation safety inspections, surveying and identifying hazards and using the principles of the Stability Triangle to properly retrieve and storing loads. An electric counterbalanced sit down forklift will be used for training however other fuel sources and lifts will be discussed. All training will follow guidelines set by OSHA and ANSI for safe operation of lift trucks. (1.2) Proficiency Credit Not Available Pass/No Credit Not Available.
In-District Tuition/Fees: $132 (effective 2022/23 academic year)
In-district tuition rates are subject to change based on Board approval.
Prerequisite: Prerequisite:None
Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer
BRG 201 Truck Driving II (6)(2,12)
This course covers the yard and on-the-road aspects of tractor trailer driving. Students will receive extensive hands-on-experience in backing, parking, start up, and preventive maintenance. There will be actual on-the-road driving by students. Completion of BRG 101 and BRG 201 will prepare the student to take the necessary exams to obtain a license to operate a tractor trailer. (1.2) Proficiency Credit Not Available Pass/No Credit Not Available.
In-District Tuition/Fees: $2992 (effective 2022/23 academic year)
In-district tuition rates are subject to change based on Board approval.
Prerequisite: BRG-101 or concurrent enrollment in BRG-101.
Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer
BRG 202 Truck Driving III (4)(4,0)
This course is an extension of BRG 101 and BRG 201 with further study of the topics and skills covered in those two courses. Also included will be additional information on maintenance, communications, costs, dispatching, and operations. (1.2) Proficiency Credit Not Available Pass/No Credit Not Available.
In-District Tuition/Fees: $628 (effective 2022/23 academic year)
In-district tuition rates are subject to change based on Board approval.
Prerequisite: BRG-201 or concurrent enrollment in BRG-201.
Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer
BRG 203 Defensive Driving Techniques (2)(2,0)
This course will address the core concepts of defensive driving, preventable collisions, personal responsibility, driving to protect others and hazard recognition. The course will also address lighting conditions, weather conditions, road conditions and traffic conditions. (1.2) Proficiency Credit Not Available Pass/No Credit Not Available.
In-District Tuition/Fees: $264 (effective 2022/23 academic year)
In-district tuition rates are subject to change based on Board approval.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer