Celadon Driving Academy
1245 W. Grand Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35906
Celadon Driving Academy Reviews
Program: Paid CDL Training
Length: 11 weeks
Classroom Instruction: 40 hours
Skills Training: 4 weeks
Road Training: 5 to 6 weeks
Student to Truck Ratio: 4 to 8 students to 1 truck
Required OTR Miles: 10,000 miles
CDL Training Offered:
- Class A
Training Equipment:
- Tractor-Trailers
Job Placement Assistance: Yes
Award: Certificate of Completion
Admission Requirements:
- You must be at least 21.5 years old to apply.
- You must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
- You must possess an original Social Security card, not a copy.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or legally be allowed to work in the United States (Green Card).
- You must have no current parole, probation status, or warrant for your arrest.
- Any felony convictions on your criminal record must be older than 10 years.
- Any DUI/DWI, reckless driving, or careless/neglect driving offenses must be older than 5 years.
- You must have a clean motor vehicle report for the last 3 years.
- You must not have a suspended driver’s license.
- You must have a good verifiable employment record going back the past 3 years.
- You must pass a DOT medical exam and a DOT drug and alcohol test.
- You must be able to read, write, and speak the English language according to federal regulation.
- You must graduate from the truck driving training program and obtain your CDL in order to be hired.
- You must work as a full-time driver for Celadon for at least 1 year to pay back your tuition.
- $50 will be deducted from your weekly paycheck for 1 year in order to pay for your tuition.
- You must drive in a 2-person team for at least 120,000 miles before going solo.
- You must be physically and mentally able to do your job in a complete and competent manner.
- You must be physically and mentally able to stay away from home for 7 to 14 days at a time.
Classroom Instruction:
- Orientation
- Hours of Service
- Map Reading
- Trip Planning
- Cargo Handling
- Documentation
- Terminal Procedures
- Weight Scales & Staying Legal
- Emergency Protocol
- Defensive Driving
- DOT Rules & Regulations
- Hazardous Materials Regulations
- Communication Systems
- Vehicle Maintenance
- Mechanical Knowledge
- Pre-Trip Inspection
- Post-Trip Inspection
- Vehicle and Control Systems
- Air Brake System
- Fuel & Electrical Systems
- CDL Test Preparation
- Safety
- Employment Skills
- Job Preparation
Skills Training:
- Pre-Trip Inspection
- In-Cab Inspection
- In-Transit Inspection
- Post-Trip Inspection
- Weight Balance
- Sliding Tandem Axles & Fifth Wheel
- Mirrors
- Seat Adjustment
- Shifting
- Double Clutching
- Proper Braking
- Skid Control
- Rollover Prevention
- Safe Backing Procedures
- Straight Line Backing
- Backing Left
- Backing Right
- Site Side Parallel Parking
- Blind Side Parallel Parking
- Serpentine Maneuvers
- Alley Docking
- Coupling
- Uncoupling
- CDL Skills Test Prep
Road Training:
- Observation
- Driver Safety
- Motion
- Safe Stopping
- Shifting
- RPM & Speed Control
- Double Clutching
- Speed Management
- Space Management
- Braking
- Inclines
- Downgrades
- Driving Under Overpasses
- Driving Through Tunnels
- Driving on Bridges
- On Ramps & Off Ramps
- Making Lane Changes
- Cornering
- Railroad Crossings
- Driving on Rural Roads
- Driving on City Streets
- Driving on Freeways
- Driving at Night
- Road Skills Test Prep
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