CDL School - Minimum driving time?

Most companies along with WA State require 160 total hours of instruction. About 18 hours driving, 16 hours backing, 16 hours proficiency would be a good school. That is what I got from my school. I do not believe there is a set number of hours of drive time that is required.

 

Find a school with fewer students so you will have more time driving each day. Mine was 165hrs and I felt I got a good deal of time in the hot seat. Only four of us in my class.

Good luck!

 

You want at least 160 hour program, minimum class time and student to instructor ratio of about 1-4 maximum. Also make sure you find out what their policy is should you not pass on your first attempt, how much re-training you get.

 

Yes, that is average. 160 hour program 40 hours classroom 120 hours range skills, Drop and hook, pre-trip for CD test, and road. The most BTW time on road will be no more than 20 hours. That is what CDL.com schools have in their breakdown of hours. On average a trip is 45-60 min. long for most schools.

 

I am a CDL Instructor, and at our school we have 240 hours instruction. 120 hours of in class including simulator time, and 120 hours of behind the wheel. The 120 hours is divided between the students in the semi which is a ratio of 1:4. Each student gets a minimum of 1-2 hours behind the wheel everyday.

 

I would never go to a school that requires 160 hour class. With ten students your getting 15 hours of "you're" time. I went to a one on one school for 15 hours. I got just as much driving time and lesson time as anyone going to a long school. I paid $1499... Best deal ever

 

Who taught you how to do math? How can any school fit 10 students in one truck? Who cares if there are 1000 students in your class? It only matters how many students per instructor and truck. As long as a school maintains a good student to instructor ratio, how many are in the class is irrelevant.

In a good 160 hour program that maintains a low student count to instructor ratio, you should get about 40 hours of actual seat time. Much better than 15 hours. Plus observation time is actually important, if you dont use it to text your girlfriend or play Angry Birds.

Lastly, who is going to hire you from a 15 hour program? Is that a state licensed program? What company is going to hire you from a non state licensed program? Who assures quality of the curriculum?



Where did you go to work after you got your CDL?