Students, enrolled in this four-week continuing education course, attend class from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. It begins with an in-depth overview of the Kansas Commercial Driver’s License manual, and includes a physical, drug screen and testing for instructional permits. Students spend time in the classroom and behind the wheel. The classroom location for this course is Washburn Tech East at 2014 SE Washington St.
Classroom training covers federal motor carrier regulations, daily logs and equipment of the trade. Students learn how to read and interpret control systems, perform vehicle inspections and exercise basic control. In addition, instruction covers shifting, backing and docking the vehicle along with managing speed and space relations. Students learn how to identify potential driving hazards and perform emergency maneuvers. They also learn to identify and adjust to difficult and extreme driving conditions, handle and document cargo, address environmental issues, plan trips and use effective communications.
Students will hear presentations from several industry professionals, including placement presentations with major trucking companies. Attending full-day, students can complete the course in four weeks.
Certification: CDL
Washburn Tech offers several cohorts of CDL training throughout the year at Washburn Tech East, 2014 SE Washington St. This full-day, four-week program will prepare you to earn CDL certification and put you on the road to an exciting future.
The cost of this course is $4,000. Half of the program costs are due at enrollment while the second half of programs costs must be paid before taking the state qualification test. Financial aid is not available for the CDL program. However, some potential funding sources include:
Unemployment or low income: If you were laid off from your job, or you work for minimum wage, you may be eligible for funding through your state employment office. In Kansas ask for the Kansas Workers/WIA (Workforce in Action) representative. In some cases, you can collect your unemployment while attending the program.
Dislocated worker: If your job has moved and you can no longer work there, you may be eligible for funding under the Dislocated Workers Program. Check with the nearest state employment office.
Veterans: If you are a veteran you may be eligible under the G.I. Bill. Check with a VA counselor for funding. We are approved for funding through the VA. If you are the son or daughter of a retired veteran you may be eligible for funding as well.
DCF recipients: In many cases those who are drawing assistance from their state will also qualify for training funds. Check with your counselor for information and eligibility requirements.
Native Americans: If you are of Native American heritage check with your tribal representatives to see if you are eligible for funding.
Church Groups: If you are a member of a church, check with them to see if they have a program to fund educational or job training.
Personal Finance: Most of the big trucking companies have a tuition reimbursement program. You could borrow the money from a bank, credit union, friend or relative and have the trucking company send the reimbursement directly to them.
Each four-week cohort is scheduled from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at Washburn Tech East, 2014 SE Washington St. It includes 160-credit hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Review the course schedule below to see which session works best for you.
To enroll or ask questions, contact Teresa Vasquez at (785) 670.3353 or teresa.vasquez@washburn.edu.
Housing is available in Topeka. The cost is $850 for four weeks. This is based on multiple occupancy, meaning that you will probably share an apartment with another trucking student. Each apartment has a refrigerator, stove, microwave and coffeepot. There is cable television. Each apartment has two full beds and bed linens are furnished. You can check in the day the class begins.
