CDL Information Booklet

TRUCK DRIVER

INFORMATION

BOOKLET

6440 Hillcroft Avenue, Suite 411 ● Houston, Texas 77081 Phone 713-776-4700 ● Fax 713-776-4730www.allianceontheweb.org

Table of Content

About the Alliance

Life of The Truck Driver

How to Obtained CDL License

About the Program


About the Alliance

Since our inception in July of 1985—nearly thirty years ago—Alliance for Multicultural Community Services has

managed to transform the lives of countless refugees. The Alliance aspires to help people achieve independence and

success as they acclimatize to their new lives here in the United States.

Our Programs:

Refugee Resettlement Services

The goal of the Refugee Resettlement Program is to promote early self-sufficiency and cultural adjustment among newly

arrived refugees. The program provides core services in a linguistically and culturally appropriate manner for recently

arrived refugees, who have fled their countries because of war or persecution. Alliance is a resettlement affiliate/branch

office of the Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. (ECDC). Through ECDC, we provide Reception and

Placement (R&P) services. These R&P activities are paid for, in part, through financial assistance by the Department of

State.

R & P Services:

The Reception & Placement Services provided to refugees are: airport pick-up, initial housing, furnishings, food,

clothing, and orientation. Additionally, we provide counseling and assistance in accessing programs and benefits for

which refugees are eligible. For example, transportation assistance, medical and employment referrals, school

enrollment, sponsorship of relatives overseas, and assistance with applications for Social Security, Food Stamps, and

Medicaid.Core services are made available for at least 30 days after a refugee’s arrival, while Reception and Placement

follow-up and self-sufficiency services are provided at a minimum, for the first 180 days of a refugee’s arrival.

Matching Grant:

Refugees receive cash assistance and employment either through the Matching Grant program or Refugee Cash

Assistance. The goal of the Matching Grant program is to guide refugee households toward economic self-sufficiency

within six months of eligibility. Economic self-sufficiency means earning a total family income at a level that enables a

family unit to support itself without receipt of additional cash assistance. MG offers refugees short-term cash, rental, and

medical assistance; employment training and placement, and extra focus on support services, such as English language

instruction, childcare and transportation subsidies. MG tends to give more help at first, but end sooner. It is beneficial for

clients who can secure employment quickly.

Refugee Cash Assistant:

Refugees receive cash assistance and employment either through the Matching Grant program or Refugee Cash

Assistance. Through this program, participants receive cash and rental assistance during their first four months while

their total income is less than 125% of the Federal Poverty Income Level. Participants receive cash assistance during

their 5th-8th months if their income is less than 165% of the Federal Poverty Income Level.


Preferred Communities:

The Preferred Community Program offers intensive case management services to clients with special needs, including

single mothers, youth without parents, seniors who lack family support and those with mental health and medical needs.

Through one-on-one assistance, case managers assist clients who require extended help in order to integrate and adjust.

Social Adjustment Services:

Social Adjustment Services are aimed at addressing the barriers that refugees typically face and strengthen the ability of

a refugee individual, family, or refugee community to achieve and maintain economic self-sufficiency, family stability,

and community integration.

Refugees resettling in Houston, Texas are able to participate in a consortium-wide provision of comprehensive services,

a unique model partnering five of Houston’s major resettlement agencies to provide holistic, culturally and linguistically

competent and cost effective services to refugees. With Alliance as the lead agency, this long standing model partnership

of social adjustment services has successfully assisted thousands with the acculturation process and with becoming self-

sufficient.

Case Managers serve refugees through orientation, advocacy, and active assistance with service access. The SAS

program hold regular Refugee Health Education events. These health fairs provide refugees and low-income residents

with critical services such as health screening and vaccinations. The SAS program has also developed a mental health

assessment tool with Dr. Banu of the Center for International Trauma Survivors, which has led to greater awareness of

mental health issues and capacity to refer individuals to follow-up care.

Employment Services:

Alliance Employment Counselors provide intensive job search assistance, job readiness and job skills training for

refugees and asylees. Alliance assists approximately 750 individuals annually. The Employment Counselors regularly

lead orientations that are directly related to job readiness and retention. The Job Orientation sessions are based on strong

evidence that culturally-competent, small group instruction is highly effective at helping participants acquire new skills

and knowledge. The Employment Department also organizes quarterly job fairs, which are well attended by employers

and refugee clients.

After a participant is placed successfully in a job, the Employment Counselors provide follow-up services for several

months. In terms of long-term support, our Employment Department reaches out to refugees resettled within the past five

years to encourage them to attend job fairs, vocational training and other events or classes.

Alliance Language Network

Interpreters:

Our interpreters are the voice for your multilingual customers and the communication medium between your customers

and service representatives. That voice must be accurate, clear, and precise. That voice must also consistently

demonstrate the ability to accurately conserve the meaning of a source language when rendering it into English—at an


efficient pace without omissions or additions. That’s the goal of AMCS’s Language Without Boundaries basic interpreter

training program, which culminates in advanced-level certification opportunities.

Benefits:

According to latest US Census, more than 46 million people, or approximately 17 percent of the U.S. population, speak a

language other than English in their homes, a number that is projected to increase in the coming decades. For this

growing portion of the population, poor communication while accessing social & healthcare services can result in serious

consequences.

Adult Education and Training Program:

ESL Classes:

ESL classes are offered from 9AM-12PM, 12:30 PM- 3:30PM, and 5:30PM to 8:30PM. All class are Monday-Thursday.

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of all classes, and are progress tested after 60 hours. AMCS offers

four levels of instruction; Basic, Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. All students are required to attend an

orientation, conducted in the students’ native language whenever possible, prior to enrolling in class (see orientation

schedule for days and times). Students must register in person, and a valid picture ID is required, social security cards are

preferred. Attendance on the first day of classes is mandatory.

Low cost childcare is offered for children ages six months to 6 years while their parents attend classes. The cost is $100

per ten week session, per child. Due to high demand, there is a limit of two children per parent for morning classes.

Current vaccination records are required for children prior to enrollment. AMCS Adult Education collaborates with

Houston Metro in order to provide Q cards for students at a 50% discount.

Workforce Training Classes:

AMCS, in partnership with Houston Community College and the United Way of Greater Houston is now offering

AutoCAD training with a contextualized support class. Houston Community College provides an instructor to conduct

the skills training, so the students receive a certificate from HCC upon successful completion of the program. The

support class consists of contextualized reading, writing, and math for AutoCAD as well as career planning, job search as

well as resume and cover letter writing as well as interviewing practice. This model of training allows students to quickly

complete certificate programs in high demand occupations while improving their English and other basic skills including

job readiness, resume writing, and job search skills with a curriculum specifically designed for the occupation for which

they are training. This model also allows AMCS to enroll students at lower functioning level than would normally be

accepted for a training program because the students are receiving the support of the adult education instructor in

English, reading, writing and math that is directly related to what they are learning in the skills training classes. This

model has been extremely successful in getting students through the training programs successfully, and into jobs. All

job training participants also enroll with our Financial Opportunity Center in order to take advantage of their bundled

services. Upon enrolling in the program, students will be able to utilize the following services—income support


counseling, career and financial coaching in order to achieve financial stability and mobility. In addition to coaching, our

center offers several asset building tools for individuals, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), Credit

Builder, and IDA (Individual Development Account) and Matched Savings programs. For more information on eligibility

and how to enroll, please see our flyers below.

Vocational ESL:

ProgramAMCS will be offering Vocational English as A Second Language (VESL) classes at AMCS’ Hillcroft location and the Los Arcos Apartment Complex. Classes will be offered Monday – Saturday in the mornings, afternoons and evenings to accommodate all schedules.Class will consist of instruction in English as A Second Language, including listening, speaking, reading, writing, and life skills such as job readiness, job search, financial literacy and interview preparation skills for students who are unable to communicate in English.

Tuition & Fees $640

Classes are 8 weeks (96 hours)Financial aid available for some studentsServicesGeneral OrientationJob placement assistanceResume developmentInterview preparationReferral to Dress for Success

Financial Opportunity Program:

The Asset Building Program is an integral part of our organization. The program focuses on developing

sustainable resources to provide Individual Development Account Program (IDA) for the creation of wealth-

building assets (i.e. home, post-secondary education and micro enterprise) among the low-income population.

We also focus a great deal on developing and sustaining resources to provide small business training,

financing and technical assistance to low-income people and minorities that wants to start their own business.

The strategy for economic development is to recruit existing and potential entrepreneurs from the low-income

community and equip them with training, and provide them micro-loans and technical assistance in order to

assist them to develop their potential and enhance their economic wellbeing thereby creating additional jobs

and economically revitalizing the area and their community..


Youth Program:

The mission of the Kijana Youth Program is to serve school-aged children in the Houston area through after-

school youth empowerment classes which cover computer technology, life skills, and recreational and cultural

activities, including music, field trips, and volunteer projects. Staff counselors encourage youth leadership and

service and also tutor students to improve performance at school.

Driver’s Education:

All TEA certified and bilingual (some even trilingual), our instructors effectively teach participants how to drive

through classroom lessons and on-the-wheel training. Their multiculturalism lends a hand to their patience

and ability to understand a variety of participants and communicate at an optimal level.

The benefits of refugees, or any eligible driver, participating in our program are indispensable. Because

Houston is a very wide spread city, relying on public transportation can disadvantage individuals. By

completing our program and obtaining a driver’s license, persons have the potential to buy their own car,

which increases their employment opportunities, flexibility in scheduling appointments or attending classes.

ACA Health Insurance Navigators

The Alliance is offering assistance with enrollment in Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace Health Plans. The

ACA Marketplace is a new way to find coverage for health insurance. Navigators can be reached Monday –

Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm at (713) 595-8647. Bilingual Navigators are available.

Naya Alliance Designs Program:

Naya Alliance Designs provides an intensive, tutition-free course aimed at helping clients who have a sewing

background to become more self-sufficient and increase their English language skills. The classes cover a

broad range of sewing skills, financial literacy, customer service skills, and marketing strategies. Naya

Alliance Designs teachers introduce students to fair-trade stores and help them navigate buying supplies. The

students learn to sew on a serge machine, new stitches, to follow patterns and to choose fabrics. Several of

our refugee tailors’ designs and custom clothes have been featured at the Langford Market Boutique, World

Refugee Day, cultural festivals and in the Houston Chronicle. The Alliance is working with Houston-based

designers to help secure more contract work for Naya Alliance Designs students and help fund additional

classes. The extra income that the women earn for themselves and their families can be critical to gaining

financial independence. For questions, more information, or requests, please contact Nnenna Amugo at

[email protected]


Life of the Truck Driver

1. What's your typical day like?

A typical day is to get up between 5 and 6am. Walk into the truck stop and do the morning rituals. Get some coffee, walk

around and inspect the truck and trailer and then check messages, do the logs; perhaps check weather and any safety

conditions on the Qualcomm regarding route of travel and get rolling. Drive to a shipper or receiver and either "drop and

hook" or "live load" or "live unload". If it is live then you may be sitting for hours and not making any money as I get

paid by the miles I drive. If time is on my hands, then I will use this down time to plan the trip route. Planning fuel stops

and dealing with weigh stations and weather and road construction are also daily events to deal with.

Meals on the go or time to eat at a restaurant is a variable thing. Towards evening you keep an eye on the Department of

Transportation time clock so as not to violate any rules which can be costly. Once you pick your place to park, which can

be a truck stop, an on or off ramp of an interstate, a receiver or shippers property, or any place you can fit a truck and

trailer without breaking any rules; then you shut down and shower and eat, and/or shut down and call home and hit the

sack.

2. There's been a lot of talk lately about people wanting work/life balance. Does your job provide that?

If you want a balanced life I think you have to get home most nights. There are truck driving jobs that allow that, but

most of us "over the road" haulers do not have a balanced life in my opinion. However, who knows what people consider

as balanced. It is subjective

3. What's the craziest/most unexpected thing that's ever happened to you while on the job?

I guess you could say it was getting into the trucking business. In 2011, at the age of 58 and "on the dole", I was

desperate to find work. My local employment office provided a lead about becoming a truck (aka lorry) driver. I applied

online and was accepted the next day. The outcome, after agreeing to pay $3,000 dollars to a truck driving school for an

intense 16-day "Learning'", left me feeling a little crazy.

I let my ego convince me, a 58-year-old rookie, that I could lease a brand new truck and make a living as a solo driver.

Six months later after driving 63,400 miles across the highways and byways of the USA trying to make a living, I

realized that I had really just gained experience, but not made a living. I had lived in a truck and provided the leasing

company the means to continue to make millions from fools like me. I have learned my lesson now and drive for a

company.

4. What makes for a really good day on the job?


A really good day on the job for me is lots of miles, "drop and hooks" instead of live loading and unloading, and being

able to get to the truck stop early to find a spot and have a nice clean hot shower followed by a good meal. What makes it

a really, really good day is if I am going to make it home that night after perhaps 12 to 19 days on the road.

5. What's your annual salary? Do you get benefits?

I get paid 40 cents a mile. I have days I turn in over 600 miles and days I turn in less than 200. I assume this year I will

make perhaps what an average teacher with tenure makes in the US. However, because I am paid by the mile I don't

really know until the end of the year what I make. Many drivers get paid what is referred to as "paid miles". Without

going into detail it is not the miles you actually drive but more a, "how the crow flies" from zip code to zip code type

mileage. In some cases you may drive a hundred miles for which you are not paid that day during a run in which you

actually put in 500 to 600 miles total. Some drivers get paid "practical miles" which amounts to practically every mile

driven, unless you detour without cause or get lost or perhaps detour for a quick stop by home. I have also met guys who

live on $100 weekly advances from the company they work for, while being not much more than a homeless person

living in a truck. They are not lesser people, just people who have less.

Benefits vary from company to company. I am a military veteran so to save money, I use the VA (Veterans

Administration) hospitals on the rare occasion I have medical needs. Not to get political; but it is my opinion that

although the new healthcare policies are a step in the right direction; it would have been deceptively simple to just give

the whole country Medicare (not Medicaid) coverage. I never hear our retirees complain about Medicare. It is a single

payer (the government) paying private medical practitioners and private hospitals (both for profit and non-profit

hospitals) to provide care anywhere that retiree needs medical care in the country.

6. What's the biggest mistake you've ever made while working?

The biggest mistake occurred immediately after getting my class A CDL (commercial driver's license). I had to gain

experience, and the school wanted 15,000 to 20,000 driving miles during a 30 day trainin' period. This meant I had to

live with a stranger in that "truck space" environment for a month making a mere $65 a day. Learning to drive, while

sleeping and eating in a truck that seemed to be constantly moving between shippers and receivers would have been

perhaps more acceptable at a younger age. Doing it in cramped quarters with a person you barely know is even less of a

joy.

I would drive up to 11 hours a day during my shift and turn in mileages of 550 to 640 miles a day. My trainer and I had

many an argument during our time together. I wish there had been another way. I realized my mistake after talking to a

woman student and her female trainer from another school who said she, the trainee, was required to put in 275 hours of


driving as a "trainee" but there was no 30 day requirement to meet those hours. A softer more sane "easier way" perhaps.

These two women were sitting in the truck stop and having a meal together. What a contrast that was to my situation. My

last week as a trainee I could hardly stand being in the truck with my instructor, let alone sitting together to "break

bread".


How to Obtained CDL License

About the CDL:

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is quite different from the normal license for driving passenger cars and trucks.

Because commercial vehicles are larger, harder to operate, and more dangerous―and because the commercial trucking

industry is highly regulated―you have to have more training, undergo more testing, and jump through more hoops to get

a CDL in Texas (or any other state).

In fact, many of the rules and regulations you'll come across as a commercial driver are mandated at the federal level. To

read about the federal laws that apply to CDL holders across the entire country, see "Federal Guidelines," below. This

section also explains the various license classes and endorsements.

To apply for a Texas CDL, an individual must:

1 Apply in-person at any driver license office and complete the appropriate application.

2 Present documents to verify identity.

1 Different documents are required if an individual is a U.S. citizen or has lawful presence.

1 Individuals may be required to present more than one document to verify identity, and the information on

all documents must match each other.

1 Additional documentation may be required to verify conflicting information such as incomplete names or

date of birth.

3 Present documents to verify Texas residency.

4 Present evidence of a Social Security Number (a CDL cannot be issued to individuals who do not have a Social

Security Number).

5 Meet the self-certification of medical status Depending on the type of certification, an individual may need to

present a medical examiners certificate.

6 Meet the nonresident commercial requirements (in some states this is also referred to as “non-domicile

commercial resident”) if they are from a foreign jurisdiction other than Canada or Mexico.

7 Present proof of Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance on all vehicles registered in the individual’s

name.

8 Complete the Supplement Application Texas Commercial Driver License Certifications and Record of CDL

Examination. (CDL-1)

9 Consent to be photographed, fingerprinted and provide your signature.

10 Pass the vision test.


11 Pass the knowledge and skills tests for the appropriate driver license including endorsements.

12 Pay the required fee with a credit card, cash, money order or a non-temporary check.

13 Provide a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for the driving test. The CMV must be representative of the type of

license in which the individual is applying for.

1 Driving tests may be scheduled online

1 Not every driver license office is able to accommodate a CDL road test

Endorsement and Restrictions:

Hazmat

Of the several endorsements you can get for your CDL to allow you to drive certain specialized vehicles (see

"Endorsements," below), the hazardous materials endorsement is the most demanding in terms of testing and other

requirements. This is due to the increased danger of transporting these materials and the potential for terrorism. You

aren't required to get a hazmat endorsement in order to obtain a Texas CDL, but you'll need it for certain types of work.

You can refer to the Hazmat study guide for more information.

Interstate vs. Intrastate

Texas makes a distinction between interstate (national) CDLs and intrastate (Texas-only) CDLs. You may get a CDL

when you turn 18 years old, but you won't be allowed to drive commercially across state lines until you're 21 years old.

Also, some drivers who can't qualify for the interstate CDL may still be able to qualify for the intrastate license. For

example, while you are required to be able to speak English to drive a commercial vehicle cross-country, it's not required

in order to do so within Texas. Consult the Prologue of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbookfor a full

explanation of who qualifies for an interstate CDL.

To be licensed for certain types of commercial vehicles, extra testing is required. If you pass, you will receive an

endorsement on your CDL.

14 T―Double/Triple Trailers (knowledge test only)

15 P―Passenger (knowledge and skills tests)

16 N―Tank Vehicle (knowledge test only)

17 H―Hazardous Materials (knowledge test only)

18 S―School Buses (knowledge and skills tests)

CDL Classes:


http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/driver-handbook.php

To be eligible for a CDL, you must have a clean driving record. Federal regulations require you to pass a DOT physical

exam every 2 years. To operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, you must be at least 21 years old.

Many states allow those as young as 18 years old to drive commercial vehicles within the state.

The Act established three separate classes of commercial driver's licenses. Every state issues licenses in these categories:

19 Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) of 26,001 lbs. or more,

provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs.

20 Class B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in

excess of 10,000 lbs. GVWR.

21 Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B,

but is either designed to transport 16 passengers or more, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous

materials.

Many states make exceptions for farm vehicles, snow removal vehicles, fire and emergency vehicles, and some military

vehicles.

Disqualifying Crimes:

Conviction of any of the following crimes will disqualify you from being eligible for a hazmat endorsement:

22 Terrorism

23 Murder

24 Assault with intent to murder

25 Espionage

26 Sedition

27 Kidnapping or hostage-taking

28 Treason

29 Rape or aggravated sexual abuse

30 Extortion

31 Robbery

32 Arson

33 Bribery

34 Smuggling

35 Immigration violations

36 RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) violations

37 Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive device, firearm, or other weapon


38 Distribution of, intent to distribute, possession, or importation of a controlled substance

39 Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud

40 Crimes involving a severe transportation security incident

41 Improper transportation of a hazardous material

42 Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these crimes

Remember that your state also has its own guidelines that may be stricter than the federal ones. For more information,

consult your employer, the DMV, or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association.

Commercial Driver License (CDL) Disqualifications

Individuals who hold a commercial driver license (CDL) may have their CDL disqualified for a specified amount of time

if they are convicted of certain offenses. A list of the most common types of convictions with the disqualification period

is provided in the table below.

NOTE: An individual may also be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the CDL holder has been

convicted of certain types of moving violations in their personal vehicle. For more information on those types of

violations and other CDL rules, please visit Texas Transportation Code 522.081.

Conviction Disqualification Period

Alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident or commission of a felony At least one year

Alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident or commission of a felony while

operating a commercial motor vehicle placarded for hazardous materials

At least three years for first offense;

lifetime for second offense

Two serious traffic offenses (i.e. excessive speeding, reckless driving,

improper or erratic lane changes, following too closely, etc.) within three

years

60 days

Three serious traffic offenses (i.e. excessive speeding, reckless driving,

improper or erratic lane changes, following too closely, etc.) within three

years

120 days

Railroad-highway grade crossing violations

60 days for first offense; 120 days for

second offense within 3 years; at least 1

year for third offense within 3 years

Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony Lifetime

Texas Hold’em Initiative


http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.522.htm

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

In an effort to improve border security, Texas has implemented the Texas Hold’em Initiative. The goal of this initiative is

to reduce human and illegal contraband smuggling in commercial vehicles.

Any individual who knowingly transports an alien is subject to federal penalties, including a fine, imprisonment, and

lifetime disqualification of commercial driving privileges.

Hearings

In certain circumstances, individuals may be eligible to request a hearing to contest the disqualification of their CDL. If

the request is submitted within the required 20 days, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will send a letter to

the individual to the address on record. The letter will provide the date, time and location of the hearing. Please allow up

to 120 days for a hearing to be scheduled. Requests made after the required 20 days will be denied and the individual

will be notified by mail.

Hearings are conducted in a municipal or justice court in the county where the individual lives. During the hearing, the

individual is responsible for providing facts to the hearing officer who will determine if the grounds for the

disqualification are valid.

NOTE: If you have already been through the administrative hearing process and the decision resulted in the suspension

of your driver license, you may be eligible to appeal that decision.

CDL Reinstatement Requirements

If a CDL is disqualified due to the conviction of two or more serious traffic offenses then the individual will not have any

reinstatement requirements. The CDL is automatically reinstated after the required disqualification period if there are not

any other enforcement actions against the individual’s driving record.

NOTE: CDL holders are not eligible to take the driver safety course.

Occupational License

Individuals may be eligible to apply for an occupational license while their CDL is disqualified. If approved, the

occupational license will be issued for noncommercial motor vehicle purposes only, and the individual must drop to a

lower class of driver license.

To learn more about occupational licenses or to determine if you may be eligible to apply, please visit our Occupational

License page.


https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/OccupationalLicense.htm

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/OccupationalLicense.htm

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/appealHearingDecision.htm

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/customer_service/HearingRequests.aspx

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/TexasHoldEmInitiativepage4.pdf

About the Programs

Length: 4 weeks

Cost:

$300 for client

$700 for non-client

**DOES NOT INCLUDE OTHER FEES REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR

VEHICLE**

Requirements:

Minimum age: 18 years old

Have a valid Texas driver's license

Pass a vision exam and obtain a medical certificate.

Federal regulations require truck drivers hauling materials from one state to another to be at least 21 years old.

Must pass criminal background.

Applicants then need to take a general knowledge exam and a skills test

The three part skills test includes:

A pre-trip vehicle inspection

A basic vehicle control test

An on-road driving test.

For the driving test, applicants must use a vehicle in the same class for which they are trying to obtain a

CDL license--for example, if you wish to obtain a Class B CDL, you must test in a Class B vehicle.

To drive a truck with air brakes, a tanker truck, a school bus or a truck with double/triple trailers, additional

endorsements may be needed. Endorsements may be needed to transport hazardous materials or to carry 16 or more

passengers (including the driver). A background check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may be

required to transport hazardous materials (also referred to as a Hazmat endorsement). truck driving schools may

provide you with the knowledge and skills training needed to pass the Texas CDL exams.

Texas classifies commercial vehicles using the following criteria:


Class A: Combination vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more, with a trailer exceeding 10,000 pounds

Class B: Single or combination vehicles exceeding 26,001 pounds, with a trailer less than 10,000 pounds

Class C: Vehicles under 26,001 pounds carrying 16 or more passengers or transporting hazardous materials

Training Costs and Professional Fees

Training costs and fee estimates are listed below. These fees are due (a) prior to Client starting training program (b)

partial payments are only accepted if arrangements have be made with Alliance but the balance is due prior to the

beginning of the training.

Total amount per student will be $700.00 for the class. Alliance will pay $350.00 of the initial fee and the remainder and

other expenses will be the total responsibility of the client. Therefore the student will be responsible for $350.00 for the

cost of the class by DSS plus a one-time administration fee of ($20.00) during the application period. Fees are subject to

change, based upon expenses, a 30-day notice will be given if this occurs.

Students are responsible for the following:

a. Drug test $25-65

a. Texas DPS exam $75 DPS

b. DOT Medical Exam. $65-100

c. Lunches during training

Student Responsibility

Ultimate success in the training highly depends on the student’s dedication and effort. In order to assist the FOC

implement a successful training course, the student must always be ready to learn and obtain good understanding of

course material and remain flexible to sudden changes with equipment, instructors, or procedures. In addition, students

must comply with the following guidelines:

a. Become a Financial Opportunity Center client by attending the 2- hour monthly financial literacy workshop

(offered on the last Thursday of every month) and program orientation


b. Pay AMCS $350.00 (training cost) and $20.00 (application fee) prior to the first day of class. Please note that the

total training cost is $700.00; AMCS and student will each cover 50% of the training cost

c. Regularly attend all classroom and on-the-road trainings with Drivers Support Services and the Vocational ESL

(English as a Second Language) training sessions at Alliance for Multicultural Community Services

d. Communicate regularly with Career Coach and FOC staff to discuss progress/challenges and goals to pursue after

training

e. Complete the job readiness and Customer Service Training prior to completing the CDL training

f. Be responsible for any equipment they damage due to not following instructions

g. Obtain drug test, medical exam, and pass required DPS test

Consider the recommendations of instructors and Financial Opportunity Center coaches to obtain employment and

advancement in career.


Documents

CDL Information Booklet