Staff Launches In-House CDL Training Program

Beginning in 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements that impacted all municipalities in the state of Texas. With the changes that included a stricter training and certification process, many of our municipal neighbors resorted to using third-party driving schools to help replenish their vacant CDL drivers. At costs up to $6,000 per candidate, the financial impact on a city budget is staggering. All cities use CDL drivers to operate large vehicles safely, and the constant demand for CDL operators is an ongoing challenge for all municipalities. Faced with a need for these drivers and the new regulations to contend with, staff proposed facilitating its own CDL Driver Training, closely following trainer provider regulations.

Enter Parker Paris, a Service Center employee who had built quite the reputation for assisting candidates pass the difficult skills tests given at the time by the Department of Public Safety. Volunteering his experience and ability to connect with the candidates, Parker researched all of the requirements to become a Training Provider and completed the required training and registration. Parker designed a training program in conjunction with the required curriculum and began training City of Hurst CDL candidates soon after. Parker facilitates all of the training while still tending to his regular scope of duties as a Water Production Crew Leader. When the workload is greater than he can produce, Jeremy Hogg pitches in to assist with the open-road training, providing his experience as a CDL holder with many years on the job.

To date, the Hurst CDL Program has graduated 15 drivers successfully. Our most recent graduates have worked hard to attain their operator’s license. Congratulations to all involved, we are proud of the teamwork, dedication, positive attitude, and professionalism shown by our employees!