Commercial Driver’s License

Dale Baker | Lead Driving Instructor

Photo | Rachel Wilson David Krueger, Business & Industry Professor, asks students a question about the material shown on the slide. He taught the classroom part of the program at South Campus.

commercial drivers license

With high demand for drivers, HutchCC CDL thrives.

Photos & Story | Rachel Wilson

On a cold November morning, large gusts of wind blow as a cold front comes in. Through the cold comes the first student driver of the day on South Campus. The Hutchinson Community College Commercial Drivers License course is underway.

HutchCC offers a CDL course for students to receive their Class A license. Students must attend the course that spans over two Saturdays as well as pass the written test and driving exam. Driving instructors provide opportunities to practice driving and driving exams Monday through Friday daily. This all may be about to change as the need and want for CDL training increases nationally.

“There is an anticipated large number of students coming in, especially after February. The rules are changing, so it’s going to be a longer course, it’s going from a one credit hour to a four credit hour and so I think more people will be in here. So in anticipation for that, I volunteered to take the course so I can help teach it,” Charles Chambers, Business Instructor, said.

Students of all ages and careers are present in these classes.

“I’m in lineman school, so, well you have to have at least a B, but I’m getting my A,” Chasen Sowell, Wichita, said. “Yeah I’m going to try to work with Evergy, but it’s kind of hard to get hired with them.”

This is the catch for many students. Younger students get their required licensing but lack the experience many employers require, making it difficult for them to enter the workforce.

“I never went through any of these classes way back in ‘94, ‘95. There were no classes, you just got in the truck and go, not a semi, it was like a fuel truck for the airplanes in Kansas City. And that was your training, get in and do it, don’t run into anything,” Chambers said about working for Ogden Aviation in Kansas City.

Even business owners are working to receive their CDL.

“I own a construction company and I need to be able to haul equipment around,” Tyler Kuntz, Abilene, said. “This is the first time I’ve done it, some of the guys that have worked for me have had it, but this is the first time I’ve done it.”

Kuntz has owned his construction company, Wildcat Services Inc., since about 1999.

For some, getting this license means family and job security.

“My dad’s been trucking for 17 years and he’s been able to make a living. He at one point, was the only person in the house with 9 individuals in it with an income,” Tyler Matthews, Windom, said. “I just want to know that no matter where I go, I’ll be able to support my wife and son at all times.”

Many are taking the course for their current job, as well as future opportunities.

“I actually really need it for my current job, so that I can pull equipment to job sites, operate the vacuum trucks, run the dump trucks and have other opportunities for jobs in the future,” Jessie Morrison, Wellington, said.

Although operating a commercial vehicle requires a certain amount of physical strength and several learned skills, anyone is welcome to take the course. Having a CDL has the potential to broaden career opportunities, students just need the drive.

Photo | Rachel Wilson Jessie Morrison, Wellington, studies his notes during his first class. The classroom portion of the CDL course was broken up over two Saturdays.

Photo | Rachel Wilson Baker rides along with a student during a driving exam. Students completed a routine check on the truck prior to driving practice.