View schools for:

Start Your journey today with Commerical Driver Training

New Mexico Commercial Driver Training at UNM provides superior training with the support and oversight of the University of New Mexico. We are offering a program intended to help support the long term employment and training needs of our community. We have identified commercial driving as one of the fields providing immediate job opportunities for years to come with more than 200,000 positions open nationwide. The UNM truck driver program works with trucking companies to pre-approve students for employment.

THE PROGRAM IS STRUCTURED SO THAT YOU WILL NOT BE OVERWHELMED WITH DEBT AFTER COMPLETION OF THE COURSE. We will work with, State, Federal, and private entities to acquire funding for your training.

Truck Driver Training (CDL-A)

“Class A” Commercial Driver Training (Tractor Trailer)

Specialized training with certain construction equipment and forklifts will be offered periodically or in conjunction with the CDL programs.

The CDL-A Truck Driver Training program is designed to prepare students for the New Mexico CDL examination. Our intention is provide training which exceeds what is necessary to pass your CDL road test. We do this by having skilled instruction with an emphasis on hands on, behind the wheel experience.

There are three components to the course:

Road Driving

This course instructs the basic over-the-road driving skills necessary for the safe operation of Class A multi gear commercial vehicle. The student will drive a tractor trailer on the public roads of Northern New Mexico. You will experience driving the various terrains of the region.

Range/Yard Skills

This section covers Pre-trip inspection and backing skills primarily. You will be familiarized with the truck, it’s parts, their function and operation. Operations such as sliding tandems will be covered. Many people do not realize that the tires of a tractor trailer can be slid back and forth in order to evenly distribute the weight of your load on the axles.

Classroom

This section will cover safe driving techniques, Log Books / Hours of Service, carrier options, as well test preparation and other subjects related to your new carrier as a Commercial Driver.

Covers the fundamentals of control systems, hours of service requirements, trip planning, public and employer relations, accident procedures, defensive driving techniques, written commercial driver’s licensing needs and state and federal regulations governing the professional truck driver.

Covers-on-the-driving-range inspection, basic control, shifting, backing, coupling and uncoupling, hazard perception, visual search, speed and space management, preventative maintenance and handling cargo.

Presents skills needed to cope with hazards of the roadway environment. Course sessions are scheduled during the day, evening and night hours and include driving on mountain grades, urban and rural roads, interstates, and docking facilities.