Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Truck Driving Refresher Courses | NorthWest Arkansas Community College

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CDL Truck Driving
Refresher Courses

CDL Truck Driving
Refresher Courses

CDL Truck Driving Refresher Courses


NWACC offers three-day and five-day CDL refresher courses for truck drivers needing safety-based and continuing education training or who have previously held a CDL license and re-entering the CDL driver workforce. 

Refresher courses include classroom instruction (up to 40 hours) on basic driver safety requirements, in-cab simulation maneuvering, and evaluation and readiness assessments. Course topics include regulations and vehicle mechanics, manual and automatic transmission, and air braking and maneuvering. 

Apply to NWACC

View the How-to-Apply Help Guide to review the application process. 

Contact CDL Truck Driving

Refresher Course Details

NWACC's refresher courses are designed for CDL drivers who need to remove restrictions or who have been away from the industry for a while and need the training to help bridge the gap from when they stopped driving. Review the information below to learn more.

3-Day Refresher Course

This refresher course is for drivers who need to remove restrictions, like an auto shift restriction. With the use of our state-of-the-art simulator, NWACC can efficiently and effectively teach you how to drive a manual transmission truck so you can re-test, remove your restrictions and become more employable. Situational classroom and simulator training lasts 20-hours and includes a customized program based on individual driver’s needs.

This course will:

  • Update and improve your situational driving skills
  • Offer personalized instruction
  • Offer you current trucking industry information

This course meets the needs of students who, in the past or currently, possess a Class A or B CDL and have moderate knowledge or experience in the truck driving industry.

5-Day Refresher Course

This refresher course is for drivers who have been away from the industry for a while and need the training to help bridge the gap from when they stopped driving. This course is also great for employers who have employees who are CDL holders but are not utilizing them. Refresher training lasts 40-hours and includes a customized program based on individual driver’s needs.

This course will:

  • Update and improve your driving skills
  • Make you proficient in vehicle inspections
  • Offer personalized instruction
  • Offer you current trucking industry information

This program meets the needs of students who, in the past or currently, possess a Class A or B CDL and have moderate knowledge or experience in the truck driving industry.

About Truck Driving Simulator

The L3Harris TranSim™ commercial truck driving simulator provides hands-on, experiential training for commercial vehicle drivers, offering experience without risks to people or equipment. The compact, ergonomic design of the TranSim simulator is a replica of an actual commercial vehicle driving compartment. TranSim accurately simulates the vehicle’s physical and functional characteristics. It also adjusts to the size, weight, turning radius, tire and suspension characteristics for each vehicle that it simulates. TranSim provides the most realistic and effective simulation based training system possible.


Course Hours:

Cost:

  • 3-Day Refresher Course -  $1,250
  • 5-Day Refresher Course - $2,400

Financial assistance options:

  • Employer sponsorship
  • Arkansas Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
  • Discounts for partner-sponsored equipment and sites
  • Scholarships may be available in 2022
  • Career Pathways assistance for student parents.

NWACC reviews applications from recently graduated drivers or experienced drivers who have not been in the truck for 0-36 months and assesses whether a refresher course or the full CDL course is needed. 

 

Woman with Trucks

 

Take a Tour

Feel free to visit NWACC to tour our facilities, see the L3Harris TranSim™ commercial truck driving simulator and meet our driving instructors. Email CDLinfo@nwacc.edu to set up a time to visit.

Partner With NWACC

NWACC offers a professional CDL training program that meets current state and federal requirements and produces quality truck drivers. The college offers on-site simulation exercises with a 24-foot trailer classroom and behind-the-wheel training using manual or automatic transmission equipment. Continuing CDL education—including hours of service and an electronic logging device—and post-incident safety-based training can be contracted for up to one year. Email CDLinfo@nwacc.edu to learn more.