Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. donated a tractor to the Johnston Community College Truck Driving School in support of the school’s driver training program for soldiers.

The school’s eight-week program is geared toward helping exiting military members and their spouses earn a commercial driver’s license. The first of the school’s six courses kicked off this month at Fort Bragg.

Each eight-week course is limited to 16 participants. The course, which would normally cost more than $1,000, is offered at no charge; however, participants are responsible for paying an estimated $120 in fees, which includes a five-year North Carolina commercial driver’s license.

Old Dominion employs more than 900 former military members in various capacities companywide.

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is funding the program using a grant it received in 2010 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Old Dominion was one of three commercial carriers to donate equipment to Johnston Community College for the training. The next eight-week program starts in October, and classes continue through September 2014.