Find answers to your CDL training program questions!
JCCC’s CDL-A program cost is $6,999.
Fees for required licenses and student screenings are not included in the program cost.
Yes, in addition to program tuition there are other fees you are responsible for:
- Kansas/Missouri Class A Permit (KS CDL permits are valid for 6 months and participants must retake the exam to obtain an extension. MO CDL permits are valid for six months)
- Concentra or Corporate Care Drug Screen
- Concentra or Corporate Care DOT Physical
- Validity Background Check
Approximate costs can vary for these items. Kansas students can expect to pay up to $200. Missouri students can expect to pay up to $220.
You must take and pass the test at the local DMV to obtain the CDL-A Permit.
To prepare for the test, you will need to study sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 in the Kansas Commercial Driver’s License Manual. If you are a Missouri student, you will need to reference the Missouri Commercial Driver’s License Handbook. You can also pick up a copy of the study guide at the DMV.
Permit costs: Kansas $13 or Missouri $32.50
Prospective students should know that our program follows DOT guidelines for the drug and physical qualification requirements of CDL drivers.
The DOT physical covers the overall health of an applicant and whether they are using illegal drugs. Some specific areas to focus on in a prescreening process would be the following:
- Vision - correctable to 20/40 acuity for each eye
- Hearing - should be able to hear a forced whisper at five feel/if student wears hearing aids must have a backup battery
- Blood Pressure - should be equal to or less than 140/90
- Limbs - loss of leg, foot, toe, arm, hand or finger requires special testing
- Neurological - impaired equilibrium, coordination or speech pattern
- Heart – murmurs, extra sounds, enlarged, pace maker - will require note from primary doctor
- Mood altering drugs for depression may disqualify applicant
- Blood sugar – may be medication or insulin dependent, requires documentation of regular physician care
DOT drug tests require laboratory testing (49 CFR Part 40 Subpart F) for the following five classes of drugs:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates – opium and codeine derivatives
- Amphetamines and methamphetamines
- Phencyclidine – PCP
Drivers will also be subject to both random drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment.
If you have questions call 913-469-8500 x3332 to discuss your specific situation.
Motor Vehicle Report & Criminal Background Report
- Application for employment (Ref: FMCSR Part 391.21)
- Application for employment at a trucking company must be completed on a company authorized application and include the following information:
- Applicant's name, address, date of birth and social security number
- Place of residence previous three years
- List of all motor vehicles accidents previous three years
- List of all convicted violations of motor vehicle laws (other than parking tickets) previous three years
- List of names and addresses of previous employers for the past 10 years
- Dates of employment and reason for leaving previous employers
Criminal background criteria
- Applicants should check a trucking company's web site to determine the exact requirements for employment. Each company will establish its own qualification requirements; however, some general guidelines for employment are as follows:
- No DUI in the past three years
- No felony convictions in the past three years
- No more than three moving violations in the past three years
- No reckless or careless driving citations in the past three years
- No excessive speeding tickets (15 mph or greater) in the last 18 months. (Many major carriers will not hire new drivers who have points on their record for speeding.)
While neither federal nor state guidelines prohibit an applicant with a criminal record from holding a commercial driver's license, truck companies are highly selective as to the type of applicant they are seeking.
Trucking companies self-regulate the hiring qualifications when it comes to background criteria. This makes it difficult to counsel someone who has a criminal record or a bad driving record. One thing to consider is that when the demand for drivers is low the hiring standards are high, but when the demand for drivers is high the standards may drop a bit.
Consider the following as a potential new hire:
If you have a felony:
- Some truck companies will not hire due to cargo security issues and the need to cross the Canadian or Mexican border.
If you are currently on probation:
- Most trucking companies will not hire.
- Issue arise about being able to drive out of the state
- If your vehicle requires an interlock device to operate, most trucking companies will not hire you
If you have recently (within last three years) been in prison:
- Most truck companies will not hire.
- Federal law requires all companies go back 10 years on background checks.
If you have a DUI/DWI or other drug related conviction:
- DUI/DWI within the past three years, most trucking companies will not hire.
- Drug related convictions, regardless of when, many trucking companies will not hire you
About the JCCC CDL course
The 9-week course is located at the Learning and Career Center at Logistic Park, Kansas City in Edgerton, Kansas.
The accelerated 4-week course is located at Sutton Trucking in Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Over 90% of the CDL-A program participants completed the JCCC CDL course and obtained a CDL-A license through JCCC.
Our fleet includes two 2016 International® ProStars®, a 2017 Freightliner Cascadia®, and 53-foot trailers. Our fleet also has both manual and automatic transmissions.
- Slacks or jeans are acceptable; no shorts are allowed.
- Boots, leather street shoes or tennis shoes.
- Hair must be neatly groomed and worn as not to interfere with any equipment.
- Beards and mustaches must be neatly trimmed and worn as not to interfere with any equipment.
- No excessive amount of jewelry.
The following are not permitted:
- Tank tops
- Sandals or any open-toed shoes
- Halter tops
- Shorts
- Any attire with vulgar or inappropriate sayings or gestures
CDL competency-based testing in class:
A minimum score of 80 percent on each CDL class training exam is required to pass the classroom portion. Successful completion of the class is required to complete your CDL Skills Test at the DMV. The exams cover the theory-based training topics required by registered FMCSA entry-level training providers. A perfect score must be obtained on the in-cab brake test. If a student's scores fall below these levels, they will have the opportunity to retest once.
CDL testing at the DMV:
The minimum score of 80 percent on the CDL pre-trip and a perfect score on the in-cab brake test is required. Upon successful completion of the pre-trip portion of the test, the student must miss no more than 12 points during the CDL skills backing test and less than 30 points for the CDL Road Skills Test. JCCC employees three CDL third party examiners and most students will have the opportunity to test with a JCCC CDL Examiner. On occasion, due to examiner availability, CDL testing is conducted by the state examiners at either the Missouri or Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
One CDL test at the DMV is provided as part of your CDL course registration. Students can retest as many times as needed up to the end of the 9-week training course at no additional cost.
DMV testing includes: Pre-trip, straight line backing test, basic control skills, and road test
Working as a CDL driver
Drivers can earn excellent starting pay. Some first-year drivers earn $50,000 and team drivers can make more than $70,000 a year. Many companies in the industry offer great bonuses and incentives for specific positions.
According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a truck driver is $76,171 per year in the United States. Income can vary based on the company, time on the road, team driving, etc.
Local driving jobs (home at night)
- These jobs tend to go to experienced drivers.
Regional and over the road jobs
- Dedicated runs typically put the driver home nightly but these jobs may be offered to senior drivers first.
- Regional runs stay roughly within a 1,000-mile radius getting the driver home three to four nights a week.
- Over-the-road operations will require the driver to be out for seven to 12 days and back home for two to three days.
- This routine, while hard, can be managed if it is viewed as a temporary situation (eight to 12 months).
Teamster Driver/Union work
- Union driving jobs are scarce. Typically, this type of employment requires knowing someone in the company.
JCCC recommends that program graduates work with employers that invest in them as a new company driver.
In addition to offering a competitive starting pay and a generous benefits package, students should look for employers that have a structured finishing program. This usually includes a 6- to 8-week training program as a company driver before you're assigned to a route or scheduled as a solo driver. This helps ensure a successful post-graduation transition into the trucking industry.
Be cautious of companies that require entry-level drivers to sign a contract as a condition for employment. Contracts for entry-level drivers are designed to protect the interest of the company and can leave the driver with few good options if they feel the company has been unfair.
Breaking the contract often means the driver will owe the company anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 for training provided.
Request more information about earning your CDL
Scholarships and other funding options are available for some Continuing Education courses.