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Pre-Class Requirements

Before training begins, the following prerequisites must be completed:

IMPORTANT

Contact Anthony at the Reveille Commercial-Driver Training Academy (RCTA) at 936-436-3996 or the RCTA office at 979-985-3111 to schedule an appointment for an in-person initial contact interview to review the Commercial Driver Skills Training Program, review course expectations, receive permit study information and guidance, complete an RCTA Pre-Qualification Form, complete a Blinn Student Registration Form, and finish off with a tour of the equipment, range, and facilities.

  1. Contact the RCTA office at 979-985-3111 or Anthony Aragon at 936-436-3996:
    • Schedule an appointment for an in-person initial contact interview
    • Review the Commercial Driver Skills Training Program
    • Review the expectations of the instructors as well as you, the student.
    • Receive permit study information and guidance and finish off with a tour of the equipment, range, and facilities.
  2. Complete an RCTA Pre-Qualification Form and the Blinn Student Enrollment Packet
    • This can be done at RCTA during the initial contact interview.
  3. Apply for financing and/or scholarships, if necessary.
    • This can be done at RCTA or with Blinn during the initial contact interview.
    • Students pursuing the CDL Truck Driving Degree are eligible to apply for Duddlesten Foundation scholarships while funds remain available.
    • Beginning August 1, 2023, alternative funding becomes available for students at elmselect.com/v4/. Select “Community College” to see choices. Acknowledgement of the alternative funding application must be submitted before the student is approved for registration for the CDL Truck Driving Course.
  4. Schedule and Pass a DOT Physical:
    • You can schedule an official U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) physical with any doctor that is registered and approved by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration.
    • We also have a doctor that comes to our facility on Mondays that charges $100. An appointment must be scheduled by the Friday preceding the intended DOT physical date.
    • Upon successful completion of the physical, the doctor will provide you with a DOT medical card and long form physical that is good for one or two years, depending on the examination.
    • You will need to take the DOT Medical Certification Card with you to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to begin the application process for a Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
  5. Schedule an appointment with DPS to apply for a Class A Learners Permit (CLP):
    • The CDL Permit fee is $25. The DPS will issue you a receipt showing you applied for a CLP. Be sure to bring this receipt to RCTA on the first day of class as proof of eligibility to obtain a Class A CLP and eventually a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL).
    • You do not have to take the five tests required to obtain your CLP at this time.
    • If you would like to study, test, and obtain a CLP before your scheduled class start date, refer to step 6.
    • If not, we will begin preparing you for the CLP required tests on the first day of class.
  6. If you would like to study for and test to obtain the Class A CLP before your scheduled class start date:
    • You will need to study the below topics:
      • Use the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Handbook to study for the following tests:
      • Use downloadable CDL Handbook found at www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/forms/dl-7c.pdf
      • Study chapter 14 for Texas Commercial Rules (previously special requirements)
      • Study chapters 1, 2, and 3 for General Knowledge
      • Study chapter 5 for Air Brakes
      • Study chapter 6 for Combination Vehicles
      • Study chapter 8 for Tank Vehicles Endorsement (only required if you want to train and test in a tank vehicle)
      • Take CDL A Practice Tests on https://bcslibrary.driving-tests.org/texas/
  7. Be sure your tuition of $5,500 is paid to Blinn for the Commercial Driver Skills Training Course. Whether self-pay in full, partial scholarship, or full or partial financing, Texas Workforce programs, or any other programs or combinations, this must be completed before your scheduled class start date.
  8. On the first day of class, you need to bring your valid driver license, your DOT medical card, if you obtained a CLP it needs to be brought as well, and be prepared to take your first official DOT Drug Screen which will be recorded in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. If you have not yet obtained a CLP, you need to bring the receipt provided by the DPS, showing you applied for a CLP, and a desire and willingness to receive the wealth of information that is required to pass the 5 tests required to obtain a CLP.
  9. If you are applying to remove a “NO MANUAL TRANSMISSION” restriction or for a “CLASS A CDL REFRESHER” course only, you will need to provide a copy of your current valid Class A CDL License prior to registration. This may make you exempt from taking the lecture portion of the program.

For training or schedule related questions, contact the RCTA Office at 979-985-3111 or Anthony Aragon at 936-436-3996.

For schedule dates, payments, scholarship, alternative funding, or other enrollment related questions, contact Becky Krebs at the Division of Applied Technology, Workforce, and Economic Development at the Blinn College District at 979-830-4339.