Construction has started in laying gravel for a new commercial truck driving and training business located at the intersection of Hwy 312/Main Street and the Roundup Road in Billings Heights. Here, gravel and dirt is being moved and placed on the East side of Roundup Road before it meets Main Street. The Billings Bypass, which will run along Mary street, will enter this intersection from the left in the next coming year or two. The truck driving business is temporary until the Billing Bypass road connects at this intersection. (Drone Image by Jonathan McNiven)
According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration the minimum training requirements for entry level commercial motor vehicle operators will change as of February 7, 2022. This can be researched by looking up ELZT final rule. Anyone wanting to obtain a commercial driver’s license will be required to attend a federally recognized school in order to obtain their commercial license. That’s where 160 Driving Academy comes into play, located where Roundup Road meets Hwy. 312, by the Bull Mountain Grille. If you have been noticing some changes such as the moving of earth and placement of gravel, this is why.
“160 Driving Academy is planning to have their doors open to potential candidates as early as January 3rd, 2022,” Shawna Guarino-Martinez, General Manager-West, stated. There are three courses to choose from. The first one being fulltime which will take exactly four weeks from the first week in the classroom to the final range training phase which includes backing skills, driving and the vehicle pre-trip inspection. The range training portion will take three weeks. Secondly, there is a part-time option; however, it is still required that the student attend the full classroom week. This part-time option will run for five consecutive half days, taking the completion time up to seven weeks. Thirdly, again after attending the full classroom portion, the student will attend two full-time days doing their range training, which extends the completion time to ten weeks.
The school is equipped to have 6-8 students in the classroom setting; however, they prefer to have smaller classrooms. Each week a new group of students will filter through the classroom on their way to the hands-on training that is required as of February 2, 2022. “We have one instructor for every four students,” said Guarino-Martinez. And to help this go full circle, the training is exactly, 160 hours.
When asked the cost Guarino-Martinez said, “Many of our students don’t pay anything. There are carrier sponsorships, and employee partners that will hire a driver and then pay for their program.” Guarino-Martinez is the General Manager, West, which includes 16 locations in eight States. For further information Shawna is available for phone calls at 775-455-1010 and emails at sguarino@160drivingacademy.com. She is looking forward to answering any of your questions.
