Santa Rosa School Program to Offer CDL Class A Certification

Updated: August 1, 2024

By Mike Villarreal

The Santa Rosa Texas Ace Program has collaborated with South Texas College to offer a CDL Class A certification program. Santa Rosa ISD is excited to be the first school district to provide this opportunity to its recent graduates.

Recent Santa Rosa graduates have been working hard to obtain their CDL Class A Driver’s License, and they are proud of their hard work. Due to the increasing demand for licensed truck drivers, the South Texas College Commercial Truck Institute will supply the Rio Grande Valley with qualified drivers.

Hazmat Endorsement and Automatic Transmission Restriction classes are also available for current CDL license holders. The requirements for the CDL Class A include a valid Texas driver’s license (Class C), 18 years old to drive in-state or 21 years old to drive out-of-state, and proficiency in basic English. You will need two proofs of residence, a social security card, and a 3-year driving history record from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Financial assistance is available from the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) for qualifying students, covering part of the program’s cost. However, the student is responsible for the balance; no repayment is required since this is a grant.

To initiate an online application, email [email protected] to request a referral. Other loan options, such as Workforce Solutions (WFS), may cover the program’s cost (minus the $134 DPS fees) if you meet their qualifications. You can find more information and check if you qualify at www.wfsolutions.com. There is also a wise option for a student loan from Fannie Mae for career training, but this is a loan, and it’s essential to review all loan details before applying.

The program entails 160 hours (approximately six and a half days) of in-class and hands-on training with experienced instructors. Classes are scheduled from Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with no evening or weekend sessions.

The program cost is $4,228.00, which covers books, tuition, insurance, a drug screen, and physicals. To get started, you must complete the application and submit all the required documents for a referral for a DOT physical and a drug screening, which must be passed to begin the program.

The Drivers Training with Commercial Truck Driving Institute is situated at the South Texas College – Technology Campus at 3700 Military Hwy., Building E in McAllen, Texas. You can also contact them at (956) 872-2738 or online at [email protected].
Photos from the Santa Rosa ISD Texas ACE Program Facebook page