The Drive: Fuel Your Future truck driver simulator trailer made its latest stop at Southeastern Community College on Aug. 21. In coordination with the North Carolina Trucking Association, SCC students, staff and faculty tested out what it is like to drive an 18-wheeler truck on an almost $5 million piece of equipment.  

The trailer featured two simulator consoles. Once a driver sits down, there are three TV screens to view the road and landscape, a steering wheel, gas and brake pedals, speedometer and temperature controls.  

The North Carolina Community College system office’s Associate Vice President of Workforce Strategies Dr. Andrew Gardner contacted SCC’s Associate Dean of Technical Training Dr. Mike Ammons about bringing the truck driver simulator to campus for students to try out. Ammons contacted the NCTA and set up the visit details.  

“It was a good time for our current truck driver students to test out different scenarios and help prepare them to obtain their CDL,” Ammons said. “It felt really life-like, and it gave everyone a glimpse of what it’s like to be a truck driver.” 

Ammons described the simulator as the most cost-effective way for students to try truck driving while avoiding possible property damage or wrecking.  

“If they do make a mistake, it’s not going to cost the company any money or not hurt anybody,” Ammons explained. “So, they can learn from those scenarios and make those adjustments the next time they try the simulator.” 

NCTA Road Team Captain Steven Duggins managed the trailer at SCC and described it as a mobile classroom to promote the transportation industry in the maintenance and driving sectors. He said the trailer has been operational since August 2023. 

“We’re excited about its potential, what it can do and getting it up to 100% utilization,” Duggins said. “I got involved with this because I love influencing someone’s life trajectory in a positive manner, and this may inspire someone to get into truck driving.” 

Duggins said he saw and heard lots of positive feedback from the students, staff and faculty who demoed the simulator. He heard many reactions of “bewilderment” and “amazement” that a truck driver simulator of this caliber was possible. 

“This gives people an opportunity who have been curious about the industry, but the average person will never be able to step inside of a truck,” Duggins said. “This lets them feel what it’s like being in a truck.” 

SCC Agribusiness Technology Instructor Dawn Hinshaw tested the simulator and said it was an “eye opener” for any considering driving a truck.  

“It was neat to see the engine maintenance simulator along with the driving simulator,” Hinshaw said.  

Interested in joining the truck driving industry and earning your CDL at SCC? Contact Ryan Todd, Director of Customized and Industrial Training, at 910-788-6232 or [email protected]