Southern State Trucking Academy
Guest Reviews
Students have found the instructors to be great and the smaller class sizes allow for more windshield time. The school is state funded and has to go by state guidelines.
Contact & Hours
About Southern State Trucking Academy
Southern State Trucking Academy, a part of Southern State Community College, offers a comprehensive hands-on truck driver training program that exceeds Ohio requirements for obtaining a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The academy provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the high-demand trucking industry. The program is divided between classroom and hands-on training, covering everything from paperwork to backing, turning, and shifting on a closed course to complex maneuvers through city streets. With multiple training locations and a competitive tuition rate that includes instruction, licensing, and all endorsements, the academy aims to offer a high-quality education that is both accessible and affordable. Students benefit from expert instruction, state-of-the-art equipment, and flexible scheduling with daytime or weekend classes to accommodate busy lifestyles. The academy also provides job placement assistance, leveraging its strong connections with local trucking companies to help graduates secure their first job. Financial assistance options are available to help offset costs, making the program accessible to a wider range of students. The coursework begins with learning essential driving skills, regulations, safety, and basic mechanical systems. Students then move into the truck for realistic exercises on a closed course, followed by driving on low-traffic roadways and city streets with tractor-trailer combinations. The Class A CDL program is 160 training hours, offered in a four-week weekday format or an eight-weekend format. The academy's approach ensures that most of the driving instruction time is spent in the truck, either on a closed course or on the road. Small class sizes guarantee ample behind-the-wheel time, and individual instruction provides quick answers and valuable driving experience. Graduates have the potential to earn $45,000 to $55,000 in their first year. Southern State Trucking Academy has multiple locations including Wilmington, Piketon, Pomeroy, and South Point. The academy prides itself on the number of students who have completed the program and become successful.