Professional Program

Diesel Training & CDL Preparation for More Career Options

Build Skills for the Road & the Shop

Combine Class A CDL preparation with hands-on diesel training, endorsements, and real-world experience.

The Professional Truck Driver Program gives students a broader foundation for a career in transportation. The program combines Class A CDL preparation, commercial vehicle maintenance and inspection, endorsement preparation, and a 240-hour externship.

Whether you want to drive professionally, build entry-level maintenance knowledge, or understand commercial vehicles more completely, this program gives you more ways to use your training after graduation.
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730 Hours of Career-Focused Training

Multiple schedules may be available, including part-time options. Students must attend a minimum of 25 clock hours per week to maintain eligibility for Title IV federal financial aid.

The Professional Truck Driver Program combines three major areas of training:

Commercial Vehicle Maintenance & Inspection
0 Hours
Build hands-on knowledge of commercial vehicle systems, preventive maintenance, inspections, and common maintenance needs.
CDL & ELDT Training
0 Hours
Prepare for Class A CDL testing through theory, skills, road training, and required entry-level driver training.
Externship
0 Hours
Apply what you have learned in a professional environment and gain experience connecting training to the transportation industry.

Hands-On Diesel Training That Goes Beyond Driving

One of the biggest differences between the Professional Truck Driver Program and standard CDL training is the commercial vehicle maintenance component. Students receive hands-on diesel training designed to build entry-level maintenance and inspection knowledge.
  • Hands-on Class A CDL training
  • Pre-trip inspection preparation
  • Backing and road-driving skills
  • Training with full-sized commercial equipment
  • Flexible schedule options
  • Job placement assistance
This training can help future drivers better understand their equipment, recognize potential maintenance concerns, communicate more effectively with maintenance teams, and explore entry-level commercial vehicle maintenance or fleet support opportunities.

For students interested in becoming owner-operators later in their careers, that additional knowledge can also help them better understand maintenance needs, downtime, and repair decisions.
Disclaimer: The program provides entry-level diesel maintenance and inspection training. It does not certify graduates as diesel mechanics.

Build More Flexibility Into Your CDL

The program includes Class A CDL preparation along with preparation for four endorsement written tests that can expand the types of vehicles and driving opportunities you may pursue.

Doubles & Triples

Prepare for the T endorsement, which applies to qualifying double and triple trailer combinations.

Tank Vehicles

Prepare for the N endorsement, required for qualifying tank vehicles.

Hazardous Materials

Prepare for the H endorsement, which may allow qualified drivers to transport regulated hazardous materials.

Passenger

Prepare for the P endorsement, required to operate qualifying passenger vehicles.

More Included in Your Training

The Professional Truck Driver Program includes many of the testing and instructional requirements students need as they move through training.

Disclaimer: The TSA application and fingerprinting required for the Hazardous Materials endorsement involve an additional cost paid by the student.

Program Includes

  • Class A CDL training
  • DOT/CDL physical examination
  • Drug screening
  • CDL written tests:
    • General Knowledge
    • Air Brakes
    • Combination Vehicle
  • Endorsement written tests:
    • Doubles & Triples
    • Tank Vehicles
    • Hazardous Materials*
    • Passenger
  • CDL road tests
  • Books and instructional materials
  • Diesel maintenance training
  • 240-hour externship
  •  

A Strong Fit for Students Who Want More Than One Path

The Professional Truck Driver Program may be a good fit if you want to:

  • Earn a Class A CDL
  • Gain hands-on diesel maintenance knowledge
  • Prepare for multiple endorsements
  • Explore both driving and entry-level maintenance opportunities
  • Better understand commercial vehicle systems
  • Build knowledge that may benefit a future owner-operator
  • Add maintenance skills to an existing CDL
Current CDL holders may be eligible for transfer credit and may be able to complete applicable portions of the program focused on diesel maintenance training. Admissions can review prior training and eligibility.

Reviews

Read Reviews From Our Graduates

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It was a nice experience, they give you shirts and hats for improvement which is nice. They are short of instructors so make sure you rise your hand every time they ask who wants to go out for a driving class. Hector was especially attentive to us and any questions helped me a lot.

Francisco Javier Velarde
April 2026

Tara and Jessica are amazing help me every single step of the process! I was driving from Phoenix to Tucson but it was worth it! The instructors are really kind and helpful specially Hector!, I highly recommend HDS truck driving institute.

Mirwais Turabi
February 2026

It was a great experience for me all the instructors were really helpful they all had great experiences to share with us in class I was nervous at first but by the end of the first week I already felt at home and confident in my skills even tho I was new to driving part

Irving A
April 2026

This place is awesome. They train the heck out of you and prepare you for taking the CDL Test that they administer on-site. They’ve worked with me on accommodating my schedule and when I was going through some tough times, they even put me up in a truck with a sleeper for as long as I needed, so I wouldn’t be on the streets. Great school. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.

Sal
October 2025

Instructors know what they’re talking about, staff is very helpful, and job placement is above and beyond. I came with a criminal history, that didn’t stop Lori or Leon. Hired within a week of graduation, over 20,000 miles my first month in I lost count of the states, and the money is phenominal.phenomenal. Loving it!

Gary
June 2026

Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid May Be Available

The Professional Truck Driver Program is the HDS program eligible for federal financial aid for those who qualify. Students may begin by completing the FAFSA and working with an HDS Financial Aid representative to understand eligibility, documentation, and next steps.

To maintain eligibility for Title IV federal financial aid, students must attend a minimum of 25 clock hours per week.
Explore Funding Options

Job Placement Assistance

One Program. More Ways to Build Your Future.

Depending on their qualifications and employer requirements, graduates may explore professional driving opportunities including local, regional, dedicated, and OTR routes, as well as fleet support, vehicle inspection, entry-level commercial vehicle maintenance, transportation operations, and long-term owner-operator opportunities.
Explore Career Options

FAQs About Our Professional Program

How long is the Professional Truck Driver Program?

The program consists of 730 clock hours, including:
150 hours of

  • commercial vehicle maintenance and inspection
  • 340 hours of ELDT theory, skills, and road training
    – 240 hours of externship
What diesel training is included?

Students receive hands-on training in areas including air systems, air brakes, tire repair, steering, basic electrical diagnostics, drivelines, preventive maintenance inspections, starting and charging systems, axles and wheel seals, and HVAC operation and diagnostics.

Does the program make me a certified diesel mechanic?

No. The program provides diesel training focused on entry-level commercial vehicle maintenance and inspection knowledge. It does not certify graduates as diesel mechanics.

 

What licenses and endorsements does the program cover?
The program includes Class A CDL preparation and preparation for the Doubles & Triples, Tank Vehicles, Hazardous Materials, and Passenger endorsement written tests.
Does the program include an externship?

Yes. Students complete a 240-hour externship that allows them to apply their training in a professional setting.

Are part-time schedules available?
Multiple schedules may be available, including part-time options. An Admissions team member can provide current schedule details.
Is financial aid available?
Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Students must attend a minimum of 25 clock hours per week to maintain eligibility for Title IV federal financial aid.
Are testing fees and instructional materials included?
The program includes the DOT physical, drug screening, applicable CDL written tests, endorsement written tests, CDL road tests, books, and instructional materials. The TSA application and fingerprinting required for the Hazardous Materials endorsement involve an additional cost paid by the student.
Can current CDL holders complete the diesel training portion?
CDL holders may be eligible to receive transfer credit and complete applicable portions of the program focused on diesel maintenance knowledge.Admissions can review prior training and eligibility.
What career paths can diesel training support?
The combination of CDL and diesel training can help graduates pursue professional driving opportunities or explore entry-level commercial vehicle maintenance and fleet support roles. Available positions depend on each graduate’s qualifications and individual employer requirements.
Is this program a good option for someone who wants to become an owner-operator?
It can be. The diesel training can help future owner-operators better understand how their trucks operate, recognize potential maintenance concerns, and perform applicable basic maintenance tasks.

That knowledge may help them make more informed maintenance decisions, reduce avoidable downtime, and better understand repair costs as they gain experience.

Ready to Build More Than a CDL?

Train for your Class A CDL while building diesel maintenance knowledge, preparing for endorsements, and gaining real-world experience through an externship.

If you want a broader foundation for a career in transportation, HDS can help you see whether the Professional Truck Driver Program is the right fit.
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