MATC Truck Driver Training

Education 

Today's equipment requires more technical knowledge than ever before. In the MATC Truck Driving Program, you will learn the latest technology, most current regulations, and the most desired industry standards.

• Hands On
  The amount of hands-on training you receive behind the wheel is crucial for building your skills and confidence as a truck driver. The MATC Truck Driving program is 320 hours incorporating over 240 hours of hands-on activities.
• Classroom & Diesel Lab
  You will learn from industry experts, instructors with 30-40 years of driving experience and instructors that are certified coaches, not only behind the wheel but also in the classroom and in the lab. The MATC Truck Driving program partners with the MATC Diesel and Powertrain Servicing program offering the use of their space, equipment and resources to further gain knowledge of the equipment drivers must operate and inspect every day.
• Road and Range
  Drivers spend 99% of their careers driving forward; driving in reverse is part of the job that can make or break you when it comes to skill. It is an essential skill that, at first, can be intimidating and difficult, yet mastering the skill can come quickly with practice. In the MATC Truck Driving program you will receive, on average, 136 hours* of range backing exercises and an additional 68 hours* of road driving. *Actual behind the wheel, not observation.

Simulation

The MATC Truck Driving program understands driving large profile vehicles can be a complicated task that can be challenging for some individuals. The integration of simulators helps to build confidence, skills, techniques and knowledge.

• Driving simulators
  These help introduce students to an in-cab environment that is safe, risk-free and unintimidating. Students learn the controls, gauges and vehicle systems in a way that takes the pressure off making a mistake in a real truck. From shifting a manual transmission, to maneuvering the large semitruck in reverse, the simulators help build confidence, knowledge and muscle memory to accent the learning process of the student.
• Confidence
  Simulation provides the operator and instructor instant feedback about a student's performance and abilities. Simulation also develops skills for comfort in the real vehicle.
• Skills, Techniques & Knowledge
  Simulation reinforces positive decision-making, vehicle control and situational awareness through training in a realistic, risk-free environment.

Skill Development

To prepare for your future career, developing your skill to control the vehicle forward and backward is necessary. Extensive training is conducted in a safe closed range designed with the student in mind. Controlling your vehicle while backing, and your ability to judge your vehicle’s position in relation to other objects, is very important. These judgments and skills required are used in many different driving situations and are essential to the safe control of your vehicle. Road driving has many challenges. The skills needed to be safe and successful are numerous. Our students have one-on-one instruction on the road with no other occupants in the truck.

Resources

• Truck Driver diploma informational packet (pdf)
• Truck Driving Entrance Survey (link)
• CDL Class Dates (pdf)
• Permit Class Dates (pdf)

• MATC Scholarships (link)
• Financial Aid Forms (link)

• Wisconsin's Veteran Benefits Portal (link)
• MESO: MATC's Military Education Support Office (link)