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Kentucky College Offers Night Driver’s License Classes to Meet Demand

Posted on by angelo

The first CDL evening classes begin August 26 and run through October 16, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will be held at Gateway’s Transportation and Technology Center in Fort Wright, Kentucky. (welcomia/Getty Images)

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Gateway Community & Technical College in Kentucky is offering its first commercial driver’s license evening classes to meet the state’s demand for new truck drivers.

“This is a truly exciting opportunity for individuals looking to break into the transportation industry,” said Ressie Hall, director of operations for the college’s workforce solutions. “Our new CDL evening course will allow students to pursue their dreams without disrupting their current daytime commitments. We look forward to helping our students succeed and thrive in their future careers.”

In May, 1,360 students graduated from Gateway’s general and technical education programs, most of them earning multiple degrees. The college’s campuses are in Boone County, Covington and Edgewood.

The first Class A evening driver’s license classes will begin Aug. 26 and run through Oct. 16, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Gateway Transportation and Technology Center on Fort Wright. The location offers training for the Class A driver’s license, automotive technology and diesel technology programs.

The $4,500 course fee includes a U.S. Department of Transportation physical exam, drug screening, and an online introductory driver education course. Financial assistance for driver’s license training is available through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Kentucky Career Center can help interested individuals determine if they qualify for tuition assistance.

Due to limited space in the classes, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a registration deadline of August 5. The evening class is open to companies looking to send their employees for CDL training and individuals looking to pursue a career in truck driving.

Students must be able to read and write English, be at least 18 years old, have a valid Kentucky driver’s license, meet federal DOT physical requirements, and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or non-domiciled resident with work authorization.

There are two deadlines on August 26: Students must complete their online ELDT theory course and obtain a valid Kentucky CDL learner’s permit before the course begins that day. The CDL evening course, which can be completed in four weeks, will begin twice a month, except in December. It is designed for people with little or no experience as commercial drivers.

Kentucky employs nearly 84,000 heavy-duty truck and tractor-trailer drivers who earn an average annual wage of $37,735.

State officials have taken steps to encourage more people to become truck drivers. Last year, Gov. Andy Beshear signed into law a law that makes it easier to attract truck drivers to the state. Kentucky now allows a commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicant with a nonresident driver’s license and a commercial driver instruction permit to take a CDL skills test in Kentucky.

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