Get Behind the Wheel of Opportunity with Carroll’s CDL Program

A career in trucking can offer stability, strong earning potential, and a fast track to employment—but access to training isn’t always easy. Carroll Community College’s innovative Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program is changing that, paving the way for new drivers to enter the workforce with confidence.

Steve Berry, Dean of Workforce, Innovation, and Community Advancement at Carroll, and John Zeigenfuse, Senior Director of Business Solutions, recently shared how the College is addressing local workforce challenges while also providing life-changing opportunities for students to enter the thriving transportation industry.

Breaking Down Barriers

Berry explained the program’s mission to eliminate barriers that often prevent people from pursuing CDL training. Recognizing students’ financial challenges, Carroll has secured several grants, most recently through Ratcliffe Works, to offer its students full scholarships for select programs, including the CDL program, covering the cost of not only the class but also for the learner’s permits, CDL endorsements, and DOT physicals.

“We also offer a $2,000 stipend to the students, and what that does is help offset the cost of daycare, transportation, things along those lines,” Berry said. This thoughtful support ensures students can focus on their 2-month training without the burden of financial stress.

Additionally, the program emphasizes so-called soft skills, such as résumé writing, professional communication, and customer interaction. Free literacy programs and tutoring are offered as well. These wraparound services are seamlessly embedded into the CDL program curriculum, ensuring students graduate as well-rounded professionals ready to meet employer expectations.

As a training provider, one of the things we can do to benefit the student is try to remove as many barriers for the training as possible.

Meeting Workforce Needs

Carroll’s CDL program isn’t just about individual success; it’s about addressing industry challenges. John Zeigenfuse explained the pressing need for new truck drivers as a significant portion of the current workforce approaches retirement age.

“Thirty-five percent of the truckers in our area are 55+,” Zeigenfuse stated. Carroll has anticipated the coming deficit of trucker drivers and is proactively preparing students to fill these high-demand roles.

What makes Carroll’s program stand out is its team of experienced instructors. “Not only do they teach the course content, but they act as mentors because they have the real-life experience of being on the road,” Zeigenfuse pointed out. As such, the instructors can demonstrate how to handle real-world “soft skill” challenges, including dealing with customer complaints or problems with management.

A Day in the Life

So what does the CDL program look like for a student? According to Berry, it starts in the classroom, where students learn the fundamentals—pre-trip inspections, federal regulations, logbook maintenance, and more. Once they earn their learner’s permit, they move to hands-on training in a truck on the College’s on-campus range, focusing on braking, parking maneuvers, and other essential skills.

When they’re ready, the CDL program takes its students on the road. “We have a route in Carroll County that was approved by the Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA),” Berry explained. The students train on a manual truck so they can understand shifting, backing, parking, and other techniques.

Perhaps one of the most student-friendly aspects of the program is the on-campus testing.

“We actually bring in an approved tester right here on campus,” Berry continued. “Before students leave the program, the tester takes them on the range, and they do their exam as part of the program.“ When they pass, they can leave with their CDL endorsement in hand.

Shifting into a Rewarding Future

For many, Carroll’s CDL program is more than a training course—it’s a pathway to a new career. With a combination of financial support, comprehensive training, and life skills development, the program is meeting students where they are, helping them build brighter futures while addressing the transportation industry’s urgent needs.

If you’re ready to shift gears and explore a career in trucking, Carroll Community College’s CDL program might just be your ticket to the open road.

This article is based on a Road Dog Trucking interview on SiriusXM Radio with host Jimmy Mac.