WASHINGTON 鈥斅燣ooking for a job? A commercial driver鈥檚 license could open a聽door of opportunity.
鈥淚f someone has a CDL with a passenger endorsement, absent some sort of criminal disqualification, they are going to get a job offer from Circulator or WMATA,鈥� District Department of Transportation Director Leif Dormsjo said.
鈥淭his is a broader issue than just transit operations, we鈥檙e having a very difficult time hiring for maintenance activities in the highway environment for CDLs, and frankly to even have people with that credential who can operate the heavy plows during the snow response,鈥� Dormsjo聽added at a D.C. Council hearing this week.
Metro with CDL learning permits and includes completion of requirements as part of a 10-week training class. During training, Metro pays permit holders $12.03 per hour, and聽many full license holders $16 per hour. Those who successfully complete the training become Metrobus operators making a base rate of $17.57 per hour.
People interested in getting commercial licenses on their own can go through .
D.C. residents must be 21 years old, have a valid regular driver鈥檚 license,聽meet driving and health history standards, pass written tests and eventually pass a road test .
Maryland residents must meet ;聽however, 18-year-olds can get a learner’s permit that are only valid within the state.
Virginia also allows 18-year-olds to get intrastate permits, and requires medical certifications.
In some cases, recent military experience can qualify service members for a waiver from some requirements.
People who get commercial driver鈥檚 licenses can get various endorsements that allow them to operate different vehicles. Endorsements include permission to drive vehicles with passengers, school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
鈥淪maller and smaller numbers of people are pursuing those types of jobs, and it鈥檚, in large part, I think it鈥檚 recognition that these are tough jobs,鈥� Dormsjo said. 鈥淥perating a truck, a plow, a bus 鈥� it鈥檚 very important work. It鈥檚 safety sensitive.鈥�
