BIZ BUZZ

Daytona State College launches commercial driver’s license training program

The four-week, state-funded program aims to train 200 drivers annually to address a critical national need for commercial freight haulers.

By Daytona State College
| 6:00 p.m. March 31, 2023

Representatives from Daytona State College and FleetForce cut the ribbon, signaling the launch of the new commercial driver's license training program. Courtesy photo

Ormond Beach Observer
Business

Daytona State College leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, March 28 celebrating the launch of a commercial driver’s license training program in partnership with FleetForce Truck Driving School.

The program leverages $1.3 million allocated to DSC by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state legislature to address the nation’s supply chain issues and ongoing need for certified commercial freight haulers. An estimated 1,200 commercial truck drivers retire every week, and the trucking industry projects a need for 1.1 million more drivers over the next decade to meet consumer demand.

“This program gives students an opportunity to quickly learn new skills in a high-demand field and helps address the challenges to our transportation and supply chain issues," DSC President Dr. Tom LoBasso said.

The first class of eight students starts April 10 at DSC’s Advanced Technology College and is already full. The college plans to start a new class every week and expects to train 200 drivers annually.

The four-week, 160-hour program consists of one week of classroom time and three weeks of time in a truck. As part of the college’s partnership with FleetForce, DSC is providing classroom and office space and a driving pad, and FleetForce is conducting the training and providing the vehicles.

The state funding covers 77% of tuition for each student for the first year of the program.