Albany Technical College (ATC) has announced the addition of two automatic transmission trucks to its Commercial Truck Driving training fleet: a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia and a brand-new 2025 Freightliner Cascadia. With this addition, students now have the option to train using either a standard or automatic transmission, giving them more flexibility as they prepare for a career in the high-demand trucking industry.

“This upgrade reflects our obligation to provide students with the tools and technology they will encounter in today’s workforce,” said Lisa Harrell, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Albany Technical College. “Many commercial carriers are transitioning their fleets to automatic transmissions, so this prepares students for what they’ll actually see on the job.”

While students who test on an automatic transmission truck will receive a restriction on their CDL that limits them from operating manual-shift vehicles, this does not typically hinder job opportunities. A growing number of companies are exclusively operating automatic fleets.

ATC’s Commercial Truck Driving (CTD) program is a HOPE Career Grant-eligible Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) that can be completed in just one term. With new classes beginning every six weeks and both day and evening options available, students can quickly get the training they need to start earning income. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2024 median salary for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $57,440 per year or $27.62 per hour.

The nine-credit program provides comprehensive training in commercial vehicle operation and culminates with the Georgia CDL Skills Exam. Admission is open each semester, and students must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid Georgia driver’s license, and meet other health and driving history criteria.

To learn more about the Commercial Truck Driving program and how to enroll, visit www.albanytech.edu.