The Unlimited Learning Center in Cortez is offering a commercial driving license course for Class A and B licenses.
The next 8-week course begins March 11 on the ULC campus, at 640 E. Second St.
For the first four weeks, students take 80 hours of in-class lectures in the evening. The next four weeks is 80 hours of hands-on training, including on-the-road driving practice and truck inspection training. Instructors are Nita Koppenhafer and Ken Caveney.
“There is a real demand for CDL-qualified drivers, so we decided it was important to organize a program to offer that opportunity locally,” said Ann Miller, executive director of Unlimited Learning.
Cortez Milling Co. provided a 10-wheel commercial truck for Class B driving practice. Elk Petroleum Inc. is providing the space for driving and inspection training.
Students receive practice for driving at day and night, in mountains and cities, and in different weather conditions. They also will receive training in turning, docking, parking, switchbacks and blind curves.
Koppenhafer teaches the classroom material. She has a CDL Class A license with hazardous material endorsements and over 20 years of commercial driving experience. She has been an CDL instructor for oil companies and owned an expedited trucking company.
Caveney is the driver trainer. He has a CDL Class A license with over 20 years experience with cross-country semitrailer driving. He also was the supervisor for the Jicarilla Apache Nation’s road maintenance and construction division.
Each class will have a maximum of six students. Tuition is $3,800 and includes JJ Keller texts, driver logs, supplemental training DVDs, and books on hazardous material and Colorado and federal regulations. Tuition includes extra driving practice and additional tutoring.
“It is a good career that pays pretty well,” Koppenhafer said. “You can always find a job if you have your CDL – for example, in delivery or for a construction company. Starting pay is usually $15-$20 per hour. As an expedited truck driver, I earned $50,000 per year.”
Commercial driving licenses require a written test for the learner’s permit and a final driving and inspection test. Federal regulations beginning in 2020 will require the coursework before testing for a CDL.
For more information on the March course, contact the Unlimited Learning at 970-565-1601 or nkoppenhafer@gmail.com.