Livingston Starts In-House CDL Driving Courses For Employees

Livingston starting in-house commercial driving classes for employee certifications.

Mayor Curtis Hayes said a new state law has increased the required training to keep a commercial license. Hayes said the courses will prepare city employees for the exam.

“They changed the rules to make it what we see things as a little bit more difficult to get their CDLs,” Hayes said. “Requiring hours and hours of classroom. If you are not careful, it can be very expensive to a city or a county.”

Hayes said he estimates saving thousands of dollars by keeping the program in-house. Hayes said the courses will hopefully help with the city’s struggles to retain drivers.

“History has shown us that they stay for a little while, walk out the door and get another job making two or three more dollars an hour,” Hayes said. “It’s good for the employee just not good for the city. It’s just not an efficient way to do this.”

Hayes said the state department of safety helped form the courses. Hayes said city employee Michael Hayes will operate the program. Hayes said the participants will still take the driving exam at an official site.