about switching lanes with wayne

At Switching Lanes with Wayne, we are committed to providing CDL educational services that includes:

Training Programs

• 10-hour CDL Prep Course: Specifically designed to help students obtain their CDL permit—a critical step toward attending full CDL classes. 

• 15 - hour CDL Prep Course: Specifically designed to help currently incarcerated individuals with training and mentorship.
   
• Vehicle Inspections: Thorough guidance on conducting pre-trip, enroute, and post-trip inspections.

• Safety Regulations: Detailed instruction on state and federal safety standards to ensure compliance and safe driving practices.

• Federal Transportation Laws: Education on regulations governing commercial drivers and motor carriers.

We offer both on-site classroom and field training for Class A and Class B licenses, providing hands-on experiences and real-world applications. For added convenience, we are willing to travel to other venues to deliver our training programs.

Personalized Support

We are committed to your success. That’s why we provide personalized support and guidance every step of the way. Whether you need assistance with CDL coursework or career planning, we’re here to help.

My name is Wayne Lane, a fully accredited CDL Instructor on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry at CMSC Parker Professional Driving School and the founder of Switching Lanes with Wayne LLC. I specialize in pre-CDL training and in-class theory helping individuals build a strong foundation for careers in professional driving. I have also taught ESL students and helped them get their CDL. 

In collaboration with the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, Families for Justice As Healing, Justice 4 Housing, and the Louis Brown Peace Institute, I have supported many individuals in obtaining their CDL license. My mission is to create pathways for personal and professional success, regardless of one’s circumstances. 

My life experience has really given me a unique opportunity to help others who have been down and out and feel like they don’t have a bright future.  I was released after seventeen and a half years in Angola, one of the most dangerous prisons in the United States. Once I came home, I did worry about being able to support myself.  I was able to get my CDL license about a year after coming home and it has made such a difference in my life. I am a homeowner and small business owner.  A career driving trucks can make a huge difference in your life. You will have job stability and there are many companies willing to hire convicted felons. I have been employed at Olympia Moving and Storage, Waste Management, Capital Waste Service, Stop and Shop and now CMSC Parker. If you have a strong drive and good work ethic this could be a great opportunity for you. 

Salary

The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $54,320 in May 2023.   Drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers usually are paid by how many miles they have driven, plus bonuses. The per-mile rate varies from employer to employer and may depend on the type of cargo and the experience of the driver. Some long-distance drivers, especially owner-operators, are paid a share of the revenue from shipping. 

Job Outlook

Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 240,300 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Responsibilities of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another.  Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a total weight exceeding 26,000 pounds for the vehicle, passengers, and cargo. These drivers deliver goods over intercity routes that sometimes span several states. 

How to Become a Heavy or Tractor-trailer Truck Driver

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers usually have a high school diploma and attend a professional truck driving school. They must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).