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TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING FOR YOUR CLASS A CDL

Since 1995, Georgia Driving Academy has been training new CDL drivers in Georgia and nearby states. We believe that proper education is the key factor for success as a professional truck driver. At GDA, students train to become safety-conscious drivers in the trucking industry. During their Class A CDL Training, students will be able to utilize a balance of classroom instruction, or online training, and hands-on and behind-the-wheel training. Students will be prepared to pass both the DMV written CDL exam and skills test.

Class A CDL training prepares students to land an entry-level job operating a Class A commercial motor vehicle. Class A vehicles are defined as any combination of vehicles with GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

GDA now offers a 160 hour Class A CDL program taught on automatic vehicles. The trucking industry has been transitioning to automatic trucks due to safety, reliability, and fuel economy. Over 90% of all new trucks being manufactured today are automatics. GDA’s program was approved by the Georgia DDS in late 2019. GDA continues to offer the 180 hour Class A CDL utilizing standard road vehicles as well.

Classroom Training

Our classroom instruction utilizes the “Clicker” instructional system with digital interactive equipment. During classroom training, you will learn safety around trucks, laws and CDL basics, speed and stopping, pre-trip inspections, air brake systems, shifting, backing, couple/uncouple trailer, planning, fuel, and electric systems, loading, dispatching, general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles, logbooks, and Georgia CDL permit test.

Online CDL Training

At Georgia Driving Academy, we now offer the complete Class A CDL classroom instruction online and allows you to save a week of on-campus training. Students can set their own schedules and once completed, schedule the 110 or 120-hours of practice behind the wheel and observation training at one of our two campuses.

Driving Range

During this portion of the training, you will learn the details behind pre-trip inspections, rpm and speed control, shifting (180 hr program), turns, couple-uncouple, sliding 5th wheel, and tandem, straight-line backing, sight, and blind parallel backing, and alley dock backing.

Road Training and Testing

The last and most exciting portion of your Class A CDL training will be performed on public roads near the training facility. You will learn how to perform turns, cornering, merging, shifting (180 hr program), interstate driving, local and city driving, rural driving, all of which will prepare you for your Georgia CDL Road Test.

Georgia Driving Academy, Inc. (GDA) was started by Brad Barber in August 1995. Mr. Barber had grown up with his parents owning Barber’s Driving School in Columbus, GA. For over 40 years their school has offered automobile training. In 1994 Barber’s Driving School added a truck driver training program. Mr. Barber had spent approximately a year and a half working for his parent’s commercial driver training school in Columbus, GA (Accident-Free America), when he elected to leave to start his own school.

The first 180-hour Class A training program was offered by GDA on January 8, 1996. The class consisted of two students and to date, the school has graduated well over 15,000 Class A drivers. The first 70-hour Class B training program (formerly 60-hour program) was offered on February 24, 1997. The class consisted of one student and since this time GDA has graduated over 1,200 students through this program.

Dedication to Program Improvements

In 1998, GDA was awarded its first accreditation through the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE is a nationally accrediting body). GDA continues to strive to be the leader in the commercial training industry. Over the years, GDA has invested in updating its training equipment, build their own training DVD’s, and even put together an Online CDL Training course.

GDA Columbus Opens

In the past 25 years, a lot of great things have happened at GDA including opening up its second campus in Columbus, Georgia in July 2011. Since 2011 the location has continued to grow and on March 15, 2020, GDA’s Columbus Campus moved to its new facility located at 3625 Manchester Expressway, Columbus, GA 31909. The 2,750 square foot office/classroom is adjacent to the Steven’s Transport CDL test site and GDA’s CDL training range.

Georgia Driving Academy Shows Continual Growth

On August 26, 2016 GDA was purchased by Education Affiliates, becoming a part of a nation-leading large educational group. This was a great move for the company as the knowledge and expertise will enhance GDA’s operations and training for years to come!

Due to the success of our training in the Atlanta area, on November 22, 2019, GDA’s Conyers Campus moved to its new facility located at 1035 Sigman Road, NE, Conyers, GA 30012. The 6,600 square foot office/classroom facility allows for continued growth and quality training for students who come for training each month.