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CDL INSTRUCTOR CLASS-A
Career Insights for Driving Instructor
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Based on Texas data
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What they do
A Driving Instructor is responsible for teaching students the rules of the road and the safe way to handle an automobile or motorcycle. This may involve both classroom and/or behind the wheel instruction. They are required to remain up to date with their regional and national traffic laws to insure proper curriculum and demonstration. Some inform their students on the process to obtain a valid driver's license in their region or nation.
$55,238 / year median in Texas
+11% projected growth
Job Description
- Full-Time Wise CDL
Edinburg, Texas Pay:
$16.00- 20.
Schedule:
Full-Time | 40 Hours Per Week |Overtime Opportunities Typical Schedule:
Monday-Friday | No Regular Weekends About Wise CDL Wise CDL is a family-owned and operated commercial driver training school dedicated to helping individuals build better futures through professional CDL education and hands-on training. We are not a large corporate training operation where students are treated like numbers. Our goal is to make a meaningful difference in the life and career of each applicant who walks through our doors. We take pride in providing personal instruction, maintaining professional standards, and preparing our students to become knowledgeable, confident, and safety-conscious commercial drivers. We are currently looking for a motivated, dependable, and experienced Class A CDL Instructor to join our growing team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial driver who is ready to transition from simply driving a truck into teaching the next generation of professional drivers. Position Overview The CDL Instructor will be responsible for providing classroom, range, and public-road instruction to CDL applicants in accordance with Wise CDL curriculum requirements and applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), and Texas Workforce Commission requirements. This is a highly hands-on position. Approximately half of the student's training program consists of practical/hands-on instruction, and instructors should expect to spend a substantial portion of the workday outdoors. South Texas weather can be demanding. Applicants must be comfortable working outdoors in heat and sun and must be physically capable of performing and demonstrating the duties associated with commercial vehicle training. Programs & Training Offered Wise CDL provides commercial driver training involving several vehicle classifications and endorsements, including: Class A CDL Class B CDL Hotshot/Combination Vehicle CDL Training Passenger Endorsement Training School Bus Endorsement Training Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Commercial Learner's Permit preparation Vehicle inspection and pre-trip training Range and backing maneuver instruction Public-road commercial vehicle instruction Depending upon qualifications and endorsements, an instructor may participate in one or several of these training areas. Primary Job Duties The CDL Instructor's responsibilities may include: Classroom & ELDT Instruction Provide classroom instruction covering applicable CDL and ELDT curriculum. Teach students commercial vehicle safety, regulations, vehicle operation, inspections, hazard awareness, defensive driving, hours-of-service concepts, railroad crossings, communications, speed and space management, and other required curriculum subjects. Explain complex CDL concepts in a way that beginning students can understand. Conduct classroom lectures that may last several hours throughout the training day. Assist students with preparation for Commercial Learner's Permit examinations. Evaluate student knowledge and provide additional instruction when necessary. Maintain accurate instructional and student training records. Range & Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Provide one-on-one and small-group instruction. Demonstrate and supervise proper pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip vehicle inspections. Teach vehicle controls and proper commercial vehicle operation. Teach straight-line backing, offset backing, alley docking, and parallel parking maneuvers, as applicable to the course. Provide instruction regarding proper turning, off-tracking, lane positioning, shifting, braking, speed management, visual search, signaling, and space management. Supervise students during behind-the-wheel range exercises. Provide public-road instruction in urban, residential, highway, and interstate environments. Teach safe operation at intersections and railroad-highway grade crossings. Identify unsafe student behavior and provide immediate corrective instruction. Prepare students to safely and confidently operate commercial motor vehicles independently. Safety & Equipment Responsibilities Conduct or assist with routine inspections of school training vehicles and equipment. Identify mechanical or safety concerns and report them promptly. Assist with basic maintenance, troubleshooting, or equipment preparation when qualified. Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe training range and instructional environment. Assist with moving training equipment, cones, vehicle components, tools, and other materials as necessary. Follow all school safety procedures and applicable federal and state training requirements.Minimum Qualifications Applicants must:
Possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) . Have at least 3 years of verifiable commercial driving/CDL experience . Meet all applicable FMCSA and Texas Workforce Commission instructor qualification requirements before providing instruction. Have a driving history acceptable for the position and successfully complete the required Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review. Be able to provide documentation necessary to verify applicable commercial driving experience. Be fluent in spoken and written English. Be comfortable speaking in front of groups and providing classroom lectures for extended periods. Be capable of working patiently with inexperienced drivers on a one-on-one basis. Be physically capable of repeatedly entering and exiting commercial vehicles. Be capable of occasionally lifting and moving heavier equipment or training materials. Be able and willing to work outdoors for extended periods in South Texas weather conditions. Be dependable, professional, safety-conscious, and punctual. Be able to successfully complete applicable background screening requirements. Preferred Qualifications The following qualifications are strongly preferred but not required : Previous CDL instructor or driver-trainer experience Texas TPST certification or previous TPST experience Passenger endorsement School Bus endorsement Experience operating multiple types of commercial vehicles Diesel mechanic or diesel repair experience General automotive or heavy-equipment mechanical experience Previous experience teaching, training, coaching, or supervising employees Experience with FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training requirements Candidates with strong commercial driving experience who have never formally worked as CDL instructors are still encouraged to apply. We are willing to work with the right individual who possesses the experience, attitude, communication skills, and willingness to learn our instructional process. Physical & Environmental Requirements This is not an office-only position. A substantial portion of CDL training takes place outdoors on our training range and around commercial vehicles.Applicants must be comfortable:
Working outside in South Texas heat and sun Standing and walking for extended periods Repeatedly entering and exiting tractors, trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles Bending, climbing, reaching, and demonstrating vehicle inspection procedures Setting up and moving cones and training equipment Occasionally lifting or moving heavier items associated with vehicle training and maintenance Spending extended periods inside commercial vehicles while providing one-on-one instruction Reasonable accommodations will be considered as required by applicable law. Schedule This is a full-time position with 40 hours of work available each week , with opportunities for additional/overtime hours when operationally necessary. Our normal operations are Monday through Friday, and we generally do not work weekends . On rare occasions, an instructor may arrange to work a weekend day to make up time missed during the normal workweek due to an unforeseen absence or scheduling issue. We understand that employees have lives and families outside of work. With sufficient advance notice and appropriate coverage, we make every reasonable effort to provide flexibility when scheduling personal appointments, time off, or other obligations.Compensation Starting compensation ranges from:
$16.00 to $20.00 per hour Starting rate will depend upon: Commercial driving experience CDL training/instruction experience TPST certification CDL endorsements Mechanical knowledge Teaching and communication ability Overall skill level and qualifications Additional hours may be available when needed. Paid Time Off Wise CDL rewards employees who remain committed to the company and grow with our organization. After 1 year of service , eligible team members receive: 40 hours of paid time off After 2 years of service , eligible team members receive: 80 hours of paid time off Growth Opportunity We are looking for more than someone who simply wants to collect a paycheck. We want an individual who is motivated to learn, take responsibility, become a stronger instructor, obtain additional certifications, and eventually take on greater responsibility within Wise CDL. As our school continues to grow, we want qualified and dependable individuals to have the opportunity to grow with us and climb the ranks within the organization. The Person We're Looking For The right candidate understands that being an excellent commercial driver does not automatically make someone an excellent instructor. Teaching requires patience, communication, professionalism, leadership, and the ability to remain calm when a student is struggling. Our students come to us from different backgrounds and with different levels of experience. Some have never operated a commercial vehicle before. We need an instructor who can correct mistakes without belittling students, maintain control of the training environment, enforce safety standards, and help applicants develop confidence behind the wheel. We are especially interested in someone who takes pride in the trucking industry and wants to pass that knowledge on to others. Why Join Wise CDL? Wise CDL is a family-owned and operated business . Our mission is not simply to enroll as many students as possible. We believe CDL training can provide individuals and families with opportunities that can genuinely change their lives. We approach that responsibility one applicant at a time. If you're an experienced Class A CDL driver who is ready to spend more time at home, share your knowledge with others, develop professionally, and become an important part of a growing CDL training school, we encourage you to apply. Join Wise CDL and help us train the next generation of safe, knowledgeable, and professional commercial drivers.Pay:
$16.00- $20.
Benefits:
Flexible schedule Paid time off People with a criminal record are encouraged to applyEducation:
High school or equivalent (Preferred)Experience:
CDL:
3 years (Preferred)Language:
English (Preferred)Work Location:
In personBenefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Dental Insurance