Welcome to the Commercial Truck Driving Department!

The Commercial Truck Driving Department provides basic training in the principles and skills of commercial truck operations.

 Occupational Trends:  The job outlook for commercial truck drivers appears very favorable for the foreseeable future. In the next 10 years at least 219,000 new truck   drivers must be found to replace drivers who are currently 55 and older who will retire as well as those in younger groups who will leave this occupation.  Education Programs: CTD programs are offered by public colleges and private schools. Training programs have students spend part of the time the classroom and about 2/3 of the time driving a truck on a range and on public roads. All training programs prepare students to pass a commercial driver's license test for a Class A license.
Career Description: Truck drivers operate different vehicles based on whether they've earned a commercial or regular driver's license and the size and  type of loads they carry and deliver. Heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers generally haul goods long distances, transporting everything from automobiles to stock  and supplies for groceries. They are licensed to drive vehicles with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds. Light or delivery truck drivers maintain local routes and usually make several package runs within a day. Commercial bus or school bus drivers operate their vehicles on public roads through established routes often several times in one shift.
Employment Trends: Job growth for commercial truck drivers is very favorable for the next 5 years. Regional job growth is predicted to be about 15% and national  growth is predicted to be 13%. The largest job growth is predicted to be general freight and specialized freight companies. Other job openings will also be available in cement/concrete manufacturing, grocery wholesalers, specialty trade contractors and courier services. School bus driving and other transit authority also show  similar growth figures.

Important Program Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years of age (21 years of age for interstate travel) Some companies may require drivers to be 25 years of age.
Must not have been convicted in the past 7 years of:
Driving while intoxicated (DUI or DWI)
Leaving the Scene of an accident
More than 3 moving violations (no more than 8 points on license)
Must be able to pass a Department of Transportation drug screen and physical
Must be able to pass COMPASS placement testing
(please see additional program information for specific scores)

Please note: if you have been convicted of a felony, please be aware that obtaining employment may be difficult.

Steps to Enrollment:
1. Complete application for admission and pay $20.00 non-refundable application fee.
this fee can be paid at any Savannah Technical College Campus
if you have previously paid a Savannah Tech application fee, you will not need to do so again,
however you will have to file a readmission application
2. Contact the Learning Center to take the COMPASS placement test, if required.
Savannah Campus- 912.443.5716
Liberty Campus- 912.408.6019
Effingham Campus- 912.754.2880
Testing center locations and test times are also available on the Testing Center Page of this web site.
3.Obtain a copy of your 7 yr MVR from the Department of Driver Services (visit www.dds.ga.gov for a list  of locations)
your official MVR report can also be ordered online from the DDS website.
unofficial notarized copies will be accepted on a preliminary 10 day only basis
while your official report is processed
4. Have a Department of Transportation Physical and Drug Screen conducted
The only approved clinic for physicals and drug screens is:
Health Awareness Enterprises
1481 Dean Forest Road, Building 200 Suite C,
Savannah, GA 31405
912.964.1531
Contact the DOT for any additional approved locations for official Physicals and Drug screens (404) 631-1990
5. Bring receipt/proof of application, proof of passing COMPASS test/ Placement Scores, MVR & Proof of DOT physical & Drug Screen to any Savannah Technical College Campus to register for classes


Financial aid must be completed prior to enrolling. You should understand that if you are in default on a Federal Student loan you will not be eligible for financial aid and will be responsible for the tuition costs for the program.


This program is offered on the Effingham and Liberty Campuses. More information on this program can be found on the link to the right. The Commercial Truck driving program is associated with a special program tuition cost. For questions about these costs, please see the tuition & fees page.


If you still have questions after reviewing the program opportunities listed on this site please feel free to contact us!

Commercial Truck Driving Program Contacts

Effingham Campus CDL Office 912-754-2880 n/a Effingham Campus
Kimberly Anderson Program Assistant 912-443-5833 kanderson@savannahtech.edu Savannah Campus
Melanie Smith Academic Advisor 912-443-5859 msmith@savannahtech.edu Savannah Campus
Tom Amacher Department Head 912-657-7887 tamacher@savannahtech.edu Effingham Campus
Fred Zobrist Instructor-Full time 912-660-6223 fzobrist@savannahtech.edu Liberty Campus
If you are an employer trying to get verification on one of our students, please FAX the verification and release form to the Dean's Office at 912-443-5856. Attention to Tal Loos or Kimberly Anderson. Verification can be expected in 1-2 business days.