MOUNT VERNON — Andrew Workman, a senior in Knox County Career Center’s (KCCC) Building Trades program, earned his Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) this past week.
Workman is the first student, according to Colby Clippinger, KCCC Building Trades instructor, to earn his Class A CDL since the teacher has been at KCCC.
A Commercial Driver’s License is a driver’s license required to operate large, heavy, or placarded hazardous material vehicles in the United States in commerce.
The Class A CDL that Workman obtained allows him to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds.
He can drive tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, tanker vehicles, livestock carriers, and flatbeds.
Workman, 18 years old and a senior from Danville, took the three-section in-person test and successfully passed on his first attempt (which is uncommon) at CDL of Northern Ohio in Norwalk.
The three-section test included the Vehicle Inspection Test (Pre-trip), Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test (Maneuverability), and On-Road Driving Test. Workman spent hours studying the Ohio Commercial Driver License Manual.
“I watched a lot of good videos, studied the manual, and practiced the pre-trip routine with my grandpa,” Workman said. “We have our own semi-truck. I got a lot of repetition and practice prior to taking my tests.
“I like driving vehicles and enjoy the flexibility I’ll have by acquiring my Class A CDL.”
Workman followed in his dad’s footsteps, as his dad also has his Class A CDL.
“I want to keep farming. We have 400 acres and 25 head of beef cattle,” Workman noted. “Getting my Class A CDL makes it easier for my family.
“I would recommend going to CDL of Northern Ohio. The people were very friendly and it was a good experience for me.”
Workman got his DOT Physical for his CDL and his official license from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
As Workman begins to look to the future using his Class A CDL, he took note of some good advice from a long-time trucker: Never get in a hurry and always pretend like your family is driving around you.
In addition to earning his Class A CDL, Workman is a member of KCCC’s National Technical Honor Society, Building Trades Elite, and I Build Drug-Free.
