Kent Campus - Division of Workforce Development

Frequently Asked Questions
about the Commercial Vehicle Driving Program

How much does the program cost?

Tuition is $2,017.20. Books cost approximately $90 and are separate from tuition. Additional license fees, medical/drug tests and Motor Vehicle Report totals approximately $136 and are the responsibility of the applicant.

How long does the program take?

The program is 8 weeks of full time classes or 320 contact hours.

Where are the classes held?

All classes are held at Florida State College at Jacksonville's Cecil Center North located at 5640 New World Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32221.

When are the classes held?

Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. During the 7th week, the class times shift to a night schedule to accommodate the night driving training.

Is the program offered at night or on weekends?

Not at this time.

How often are classes offered?

A new class starts very 4 weeks.

What does the program include?

The program consists of 4 courses of 80 hours each. Initial courses focus on the body of knowledge necessary to pass the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) written tests for the Class A Drivers Permit with air brake endorsement. Additional courses provide hands-on experience in inspection technique, shifting, backing and parking on Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Driving Range, and include approximately 800 miles of over-the-road driving including 200 miles of night driving. A state-of-the-art, high-fidelity truck simulator is used to train students in vehicle maneuvering, shifting, defensive driving, evasive maneuvering and critical, real time, decision making.

Are scholarships or other forms of financial assistance available?

Applicants can apply for financial assistance and, if eligible, may qualify for a partial tuition scholarship - Call 904.779.4056 for details. Additionally, WorkSource may provide some tuition assistance. Contact WorkSource at 904-633-8481 for details. Some trucking companies may reimburse tuition as part of an employment contract. Contact the Commercial Vehicle Driving program for more information at 904.779.4056.

Does Florida State College at Jacksonville provide a job placement service?

Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Career Development Center has partnered with the First Coast’s premier job placement agency, WorkSource, to help match you with employers and potential positions. Transportation and trucking company representatives visit the classes to provide information on their companies as well as accept employment applications. Local transportation and trucking companies are members of our Advisory Committee and have expressed great interest in hiring our graduates. It is not uncommon for our students to be “pre-hired” by multiple trucking companies pursuant to the student’s successful completion of the course.

What are the entrance requirements?

A high school diploma or GED is preferred but not required. In addition, students must pass a DOT (NIDA) 5 Panel Drug Screen, a Florida Department Of Transportation (DOT) Physical exam and a 7-year Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) background check prior to beginning classes. Students must have no more than six (6) points in violations on his/her driver license in the past three (3) years, have no DUI (Driving Under the Influence) violations within the past seven (7) years. Entrance requirements must be met before students can enroll into the course.

Where do I go for these tests?

Pre-entrance testing is performed by Medical Express Corporation at the below locations:

Northside Medical Clinic Medical Express Corporation

580 Busch Drive 4237 Salisbury Road, Suite 304

Jacksonville, FL 32218 Jacksonville, FL 32216

904.714.1330 904.281.9723

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

(appointments preferred) (appointment necessary)

How much does the pre-entrance testing cost?

The costs are as follows:

DOT (NIDA) 5 Panel Drug Screen $30
DOT Physical (Meets Dept. of Transportation requirements) $45
MVR- 7 year Motor Vehicle Report $11

Methods of payment accepted are cashiers check, money order, Visa or Mastercard

How do I enroll?

Students must complete all pre-entrance testing and then call 904.779.4056 for enrolling instructions. Detailed instructions can be found online on our admissions Web page.

I have a previous felony conviction. Can I still become a Commercial Vehicle Driver?

Yes, but depending on the type of felony and when it occurred, you may not be able to qualify for either a HAZMAT endorsement or gain access to a TSA designated port, such as the Port of Jacksonville. Each trucking company has its own eligibility requirements for hiring. Additional information regarding felony convictions can be found at: