Commercial Drivers License (CDL-A) - 160 Driving Academy

This class prepares students for the written and practical portions of the State of Indiana's Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) exam. You will learn how to safely drive, operate, and back up a truck and trailer, complete a vehicle inspection, and gain a fundamental working knowledge of the trucking industry, including rules and regulations. The class prepares students for an entry-level position as a tractor-trailer driver with a trucking company.

160 hours of training might sound like a lot, but with 160 Driving Academy, you can finish our program in just four 40 hour weeks. In certain locations we also offer night and weekend classes for students who have jobs and other obligations during the day.

Getting your Class A certification will help open the door to a higher salary and numerous opportunities for advancement in your field. The new drivers we graduate are in line for jobs with an average salary of at least $55,990*. First and foremost, we provide the best CDL Class A training to make sure we always find our graduates the best jobs.

At 160 Driving Academy, we make getting your CDL license and starting a better career simpler than you ever thought possible. Don't delay, and give us a call now to begin the career you've been waiting for!

To register for a class, the following items are required:

• Must be 18 years old
• Valid Indiana driver's license for at least one year
• An acceptable driving record
• Pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and drug screen, obtain a DOT Medical Certification "medical card," and submit all five pages
• English proficiency demonstrated through the TOEFL exam if applicable
• Acceptable criminal background check
• Obtain a Class A CDL permit from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) (general knowledge, airbrake, combination) and provide a front and back copy of the permit. Depending on the class you take, you may train and sit for the permit during your first week of class.

Note: a minimum of 21 years of age or older is required to drive across state lines. Applicants under 21 must drive in their state of domicile (residence) only.

There are multiple types of CDL licenses, including Class A, Class B, and Class C. Each type of CDL license allows drivers to operate vehicles of varying gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR). Within each class, depending on the type of vehicle a driver is operating, they may also be required to get certain endorsements. Ivy Tech's CDL training focuses primarily on the Class A license. 

Class A CDL License
The Class A license is the most advanced CDL you can obtain. It permits you to drive vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs. or more or to tow a vehicle that is more than 10,000 lbs. The standard 18-wheeler requires a Class A Commercial Drivers License. In general, the Class A license allows you to drive everything up to a full-size semi-truck, including everything Class A and Class B license holders can drive.

Class B CDL License
The Class B license allows you to drive vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, or to tow a vehicle up to 10,000 lbs. The Class B CDL allows you to drive all kinds of buses, box trucks, delivery trucks, dump trucks, passenger vans, and more. A Class B license is restricted to the state in which it was issued, meaning you can’t drive between states to work long-haul jobs. It can be a good fit for professionals who are seeking regional driving careers.

Class C CDL License
The Class C CDL permits you to drive vehicles with GVWRs of less than 26,001 pounds and vehicles carrying more than 16 passengers or transporting hazardous materials. In general, the Class C CDL allows you to operate any commercial vehicle that does not fall under Class A and Class B, such as drive tank trucks, small trucks towing a trailer, passenger vans, and HAZMAT vehicles.

This workforce certification is available for free to qualifying students through the Next Level Jobs program. You are eligible to earn this free certification from Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:

• You are an Indiana resident, and
• You have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency, and
• You have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelor's, master's, etc.) and
• You have not previously used Next Level Jobs/Workforce Ready Grant funding. 

Learn more about Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech

Ivy Tech skills training classes do not earn you college credit on their own, but they may crosswalk into Ivy Tech's academic degree programs should you decide to pursue that route in the future. Speak with an advisor to learn more about getting credit for prior learning.