Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) offers CDL programs through both CNM Ingenuity (via ABQ CDL) and CNM’s School of applied Technologies (AT). Each offering varies in price, frequency, credit, accreditation, and prerequisites.
CNM Ingenuity provides non-credit, short-term training opportunities in commercial truck driving. Training programs are available for Class A, Class B, and Passenger Endorsements. Our programs provide students with the driving experience and skills necessary to gain the confidence they need to have a successful career in the commercial driving industry. Visit our programs page to learn more and apply.
We also provide customizable training programs for candidates with prior driving experience. Our customized classes are aimed at developing student’s current skill sets to prepare them for the CDL Skills Exam.
Additionally, CNM Ingenuity is approved by the NM MVD to administer the CDL Skills Exam for the Central New Mexico region. Our examiners are able to conduct CDL Skills Exam on all classes of commercial vehicles.
The AT offering, which counts for college credit, is a 12-15 week (days and weekend) program. It occurs on a set schedule, is offered once a semester, requires prerequisites and is not customizable, but offers accreditation from the Professional Truck Driving Institute (PTDI). The application is through CNM and requires that you are enrolled as a full-time CNM student.
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Darrell Shough
Darrell Shough is a third generation native New Mexican with over 35 years of commercial driving experience, 25 years of instructional experience, and 18 years of experience as a State CDL Examiner. Derrell enjoys helping people of various backgrounds acquire the skills and knowledge required to take their future in the direction they choose.
Joe Ayala
Joe Ayala is a US Army Vietnam Veteran (1971 – 1974), and worked for the US Government in the Department of Energy for over 30 years (1976 – 2007). As a government employee, Joe was a tractor trailer operator, instructor and examiner. He worked for Wackenhut (2007 – 2010), and joined the CNM Team as a CDL examiner and instructor in 2012.
Kevin Bushnell
Kevin Bushnell has been a CDL Examiner for 10 years, and an instructor for 20 years. He’s spent over 30 years in the commercial driving industry.
M. Padilla
M. Padilla has over 28 years of truck driving experience, driving for the federal government. He is an expert in transportation of hazardous materials and has 15 years of experience in driving instruction. Since 2015, he’s been a certified CDL examiner and instructor with CNM Ingenuity WORKforce Training. He specializes in Class A, B and Passenger Bus Endorsement Training.
Steve Caucutt
Steve Caucutt has driven trucks professionally for over 35 years, accumulating 2,600,000 non-chargeable accident miles, and has seen it all. He owned a milk-hauling business in Wisconsin; he’s lived Alaska, trucking freight to the oil fields and driving tour busses in Denali National Park. Since moving to New Mexico in 2002, he’s been teaching driving classes and administering CDL Exams.
Steve Towne
Steve Towne obtained a CDL Class A in May 2003. He drove for Werner Enterprises for nearly 10 years, almost becoming a Million Mile Driver (935,000+ miles). He left driving to become an instructor for Rocky Mountain Truck Driving school where he taught just short of five years before joining the CNM team. He has been a certified “Smith System” Defensive Driving Instructor since 1997, and incorporates that technique into most of his trainings.