Commercial Driver's License A

This four-and-a-half week, 160-hour program includes 50 hours of classroom instruction on TTC's Main Campus; 50 hours on a truck range at a nearby off-campus location; and 60 hours behind the wheel (BTW) and observing BTW operations. Each student will have at least 16 hours of BTW, with at least three hours during the hours of darkness.

Course Content

Classroom, range and BTW instruction include:

• Laws and regulations pertaining to the interstate and intrastate commercial motor vehicle operation
• Both classroom and range training in the proper completion of pre-trip and post-trip vehicle and equipment inspections
• Range instruction including training in the coupling and uncoupling of combination units
• Range training on the aspects of placing a commercial motor vehicle in operation
• Proper use of the different motor vehicle controls and emergency equipment
• Operation of the commercial motor vehicle in the inner city, farm-to-market roads and interstate highways, including skills in passing, turning, backing and parking the commercial motor vehicle
• Extensive training in the skills of braking and slowing the vehicle by means other than the application of the service brakes
• Extensive training in the proper completion of the driver’s daily log book
• Instruction in accident prevention, personal health and fitness, and also in public relations
• Daily written tests to gauge the progress of each student and a comprehensive final exam including all areas covered during the instruction

Instructor is responsible for verifying that each student’s hours of training are properly recorded and adhere to the 160-hour requirement as well as the finite balancing of those hours to the above requirements.

Prerequisites

• Students must take the DOT long-form physical and drug test at least seven business days prior to the course start date. Call 843.346.0166 to notify of testing. Students must pass both tests to be eligible to enroll in the program.  
• Students must fax a valid 10-year motor vehicle driver’s record and driver’s license to 843.346.0167 seven business days prior to the course start date.
• Students must be at least 18 years old for in-state driving, to be verified by the instructor; students must be 21 years old for long-distance driving, to be verified by the instructor.

Course Material 

The South Carolina Commercial Driver's License Manual, version 2.0 revised June 2001, is the primary textbook for training. It will be supplemented with material from the Student Manual, Model Curriculum for Training Tractor-Trailer Drivers, published by the United States Department of Transportation and with material from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. 

Funding opportunities are available through South Carolina One-Stop Centers and other agencies. Books and materials included. Session start dates are listed below. 

No sessions on holidays. First week of classroom hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. Other instructional hours will be set by the instructor during the first week of class.

Motorcycle Safety

Instructors are certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. For registration information, call 843.574.6152. For other information, call 843.574.6683.

The items listed below are mandatory for participation in the riding portion of the Motorcycle Safety courses.

1. Full or 3/4 coverage DOT- or SNELL-approved motorcycle helmet. No 1/2 or "shorty" helmets, even if they are DOT-approved. We have the appropriate helmets; students may use them if they do not have their own helmets.
2. Full-fingered gloves
3. Long-sleeve shirt or jacket depending on weather
4. Long pants made of denim or other sturdy material
5. Over-the-ankle sturdy footwear made from leather or other strong synthetic material. No tennis shoes or other canvas-type materials.
6. Eye protection. Helmet face shields, goggles or other motorcycle-type accepted eye protection. Prescription glasses and sunglasses are accepted as eye protection for the course.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where does the class meet?

The classroom sessions are held in the 910 Building on the Main Campus located at 2001 Mabeline Rd. in North Charleston. The riding sessions are done on the range directly adjacent to that building. 

Courses are listed in recommended order:

Prerequisite: Must be eligible for a driver’s license and able to ride a bicycle.

Classroom Instruction:
Friday  6-10 p.m. 
Sunday 2-4 p.m.

Practical Application Riding:
Saturday Session A: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
AND
Sunday Session B: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tuition: $225

Prerequisites: Must have either an “M” class motorcycle learner’s permit or a motorcycle learner’s permit endorsement. Must be eligible for a full license within 90 days after completing the course. S.C. § 56-1-50 (F) states: “A person must hold the permit for at least one hundred eighty days before being eligible for full licensure.” Students must provide a street-legal, insured and fully registered motorcycle. You will need to show proof of ownership or get waiver information from ridersc@bellsouth.net. Each course consists of five hours of classroom instruction and seven hours of practical application (riding). The classroom instruction is mandatory.

Classroom Instruction:
Friday 6-10 p.m. (24 students)

Practical Application Riding (12 students per session):
Saturday Session A: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
OR
Sunday Session B: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Note: Sunday session is overflow when Saturday riding class is full. Anyone registering online for a Sunday session must call 843.574.6152 for Sunday session availability.  

          Tuition: $125       

This course is a skills tune-up for the experienced rider with a license waiver available for learner's permit operators. The course may be used as a license waiver for prior course graduates, an annual refresher for licensed operators or for riding with a passenger. Both the rider and the passenger must be registered as students. The course meets S.C. law for an insurance discount. Contact your insurance carrier for eligibility. Students must pass both a written and riding assessment. The S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles may waive the motorcycle driver’s license road test. Prerequisites: Learner's permit operator must show proof of prior Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course completion. Students must have either an “M” class motorcycle license, motorcycle license endorsement or a motorcycle learner’s permit. A learner's permit operator must be eligible for a full license within 90 days of course completion. S.C. § 56-1-50 (F) states: “a person must hold the permit for at least one hundred eighty days before being eligible for full licensure.”    Course consists of two hours of classroom instruction and four-and-one-half hours of practical application (riding). Students must provide a street-legal, insured and fully-registered motorcycle. Proof of ownership is required. For information on the waiver, visit http://www.scridered.org/.