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Diesel technology is a growing field in Kentucky, so it makes sense that more and more people are willing to enter it.
Article Table of Contents
Requirements
Before you get started, you should know if you’ll be accepted, by checking out the requirements.
For instance, if you want to drive commercial vehicles across state lines or while hauling hazardous materials, you have to be 21 years old.
If these working conditions don’t apply to you, the minimum age accepted is 18.
You’ll also have to provide a series of documents that prove your age, identity, as well as your legal status in the USA.
License Classes
Depending on the type of vehicle you’ll drive, you’ll need an appropriate license as well.
For certain situations, specific endorsements will also be requested, such as for transporting hazardous materials.
The most inclusive class is A, as it allows you to drive Class B and C vehicles.
Their weight is usually what sets them apart, and usually, combination vehicles over 26,000 pounds are Class A.
In Class B you have single or combination vehicles, but the single-vehicle must be over 26,000 pounds.
The vehicles in Class C cannot belong in Class A or B, and they’re generally designed to transport more than 16 people.
Getting Qualified
You should know that to become a diesel technician you should first attend a school.
Kentucky has a handful of schools with affordable tuition for you to choose from.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Allied CDL School | 50 Fairground Dr, Mt Sterling, KY 40353 |
| Ashland Technical College Truck Driver Training | 4818 Roberts Dr, Ashland, KY 41102 |
| Big Sandy Community & Technical College – Mayo | 513 Third Street, Paintsville, KY 41240 |
| Career Development | 1190 Hwy 472 E, London, KY 40741 |
| CDL Training Service & Consulting, Inc. – Elizabethtown | 210 Steel Dr., Elizabethtown, KY 42701 |
| CDL Training Service & Consulting, Inc. – West Kentucky | 2020 N 10th St, Paducah, KY 42001 |
| Delta Career Academy | 50 Fairgrounds Road, Mt. Sterling, KY 43053 |
| Delta Truck Driving Academy | 2070 Winchester Rd, Mount Sterling, KY 40353 |
| Elizabethtown Community & Technical College | 610 College Street Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701 |
| Lake Cumberland CDL Training School Inc | 4818 Roberts Drive, Ashland, KY 41101 |
| Lake Cumberland CDL Training School Inc - Hopkinsville Community College | 720 North Drive, Hopkinsville, KY 42241 |
| Lake Cumberland CDL Training School Inc - Maysville Community and Technical College | 1755 US Hwy 68, Maysville, KY 41056 |
| Lake Cumberland CDL Training School Inc - Somerset Community and Technical College | 808 Monticello Rd., Somerset, KY 42501 |
| Professional Truck Driving School | 5234 Charter Oak Drive, Paducah, KY 42001 |
| Southeast KY Community & Technical College - Workforce Solutions HCTC | 1300 Chichester Avenue, Middlesboro, KY 40965 |
| Super Service Truck Driver Training | 250 Super Service Drive, Somerset, KY 42501 |
| T & T Commercial Driver Training School | 12012 Virginia Boulevard, Ashland, KY 41102 |
| Truck Training America | 12012 Virginia Boulevard, Ashland, KY 41102, USA |
| West KY Community & Technical College | P.O. Box 7380, Paducah, KY 42002 |
While it’s generally easier to select a school when there are fewer of them when it comes to diesel technology there are a few important factors to consider.
Somerset Community College offers many degrees and diplomas in the field for those interested.
They have at least 10 certificates for future diesel technicians and they also offer an Associates’ degree.
The programs for these technicians are more diverse compared to the ones for drivers.
If you want to become a truck driver, you’ll want to enroll in a school offering smaller class sizes.
This is because you could have more driving practice and more one-on-one help if you need it.
The duration of the program is also important, though most programs last for a similar amount of time, anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks.
Income
Commercial drivers in Kentucky earn on average about $41,616 per year, while those in the top 10% earn about $48,230 per year.
Do know that the field offers many different types of jobs, and depending on your skills, chosen career path, and location, it’s a bit more difficult to tell what you’ll be earning.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Louisville | $41,704 |
| Lexington | $41,647 |
| Bowling Green | $39,865 |
| Owensboro | $41,535 |
| Covington | $43,248 |
| Richmond | $41,226 |
| Georgetown | $41,623 |
| Florence | $43,230 |
| Hopkinsville | $39,803 |
| Nicholasville | $41,576 |
Regional Salary in Kentucky
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 1,250 | $50,060 | $24.07 | $62,510 | $36,530 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY | 690 | $52,210 | $25.1 | $76,130 | $35,510 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 3,390 | $56,570 | $27.2 | $84,150 | $38,500 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 10,090 | $59,000 | $28.37 | $80,780 | $42,310 |
| Owensboro, KY | 730 | $50,690 | $24.37 | $72,630 | $36,090 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Trucking companies, repair shops, or leasing centers are the main types of businesses hiring someone with your qualifications.
Final Thoughts
The sooner you decide on which license to get, the sooner you’ll be finishing the qualifying program and you’ll be working a full-time job!
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State