Truck Driving
The Truck Driving Program includes 320 hours of education consisting of online courses and hands-on yard and road training. The program meets or exceeds state and federal Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements and is registered on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR). In addition, 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 an Illinois Secretary of State commercial driver’s license testing facility for permit or licensure. Equipment for the driving test will be provided to ECC students. To be commercially licensed intrastate (in-state only), students must be at least age 18; age 21 for interstate (across state lines) and/or to transport placarded hazardous materials.
Entrance Requirements
Must pass federal Department of Transportation (DOT) “qualifications and disqualifications.” Potential students must review the following program requirements and fill out the link below to request instructor's consent:
Program Requirements
Prospective truck driving program students must receive instructor consent.
Consent requirements are:
1.) Must have a valid Illinois Driver's License.
2.) Driver's License expiration date MUST be at least ONE YEAR (365 Days) from date of program entry or pending renewal at that time.*
3.) Must have an active ECC student ID number.
4.) Must obtain, or be eligible to obtain, an Illinois state commercial learners permit (CLP) and keep it valid through the duration of the program.
5.) Must be a minimum of 18 years old.
Click here to request instructor consent after reviewing the above requirements.
*The Illinois Secretary of State issues Commercial Learner's Permits (CLPs) for one-year periods. Driver's Licenses with less than one year from the date of CLP application will require renewal. The renewed license must be in "Mailed" status before taking the written tests to obtain the CLP. Click here to check your Illinois card mailing status.
Special Admission Requirement
The DOT has regulations governing the use of drugs and alcohol by commercial motor vehicle drivers. Elgin Community College is required to conduct mandatory drug and alcohol testing of students in the Truck Driving Program per DOT rule, 49 CFR Part 40. Federal law prohibits the use of controlled substances and is not overridden by differences in state law.
The Truck Driving Program includes assistance with preparing for the CLP test. CLP test fee is $50.00 payable to and taken at West Chicago or Elk Grove Village IL Secretary of State facilities.
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: $1024 (effective 2026/27 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: $148 (effective 2026/27 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: $4008 (effective 2026/27 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: $713 (effective 2026/27 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: $296 (effective 2026/27 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