I went to an orientation today

What company? We are talking about training to obtain a CDL. The state doesn't require that you have a certain amount of hours behind the wheel to obtain your CDL...you just need to be able to pass the written tests for the permit and the road test for your actual license. The amount of hours vary greatly from school to school.

What I believe you are referring to is training once you get hired, and that varies greatly as well...for many reasons. But to obtain your CDL which is all that these schools are offering, has nothing to do with how many hours you have behind the wheel.

 

You need to first master the art of reading. He stated Insurance Companies, said nothing about state requirements. The only reason I mention this is you took the time to quote him, and then brought up points he never made. Step one to get your CDL is read what is written, not what you think they should have said.... IMHO

 

If you go to a PTDI certified school here are the hour requirements and the time spent watching someone else drive does not count.

Instructional Hours
The hours in which actual training occurs. Training hours are expressed in the PTDI standards in two ways and in the following order – 60 minute hours (60 minutes of actual instruction) and 50 minute hours (shown in parentheses) in which only 50 minutes of actual instruction takes place within the hour.
The minimum total hours of instruction is 148 hours (178 hours in the 50 minute hour). The total minutes of training are 8880 (8900). At least 44 (53) of those hours must be behind the wheel when the trainee is actually in control of the vehicle. Note: This minimum total hours (148(178)) represents a one instructor to one student ratio.

 

Typical response I would expect from someone living in Kern County. Been there...done that...

 

Hey that's great for PDTI schools....which many trucking schools are not accredited through.

My statement simply is that you don't need X amount of hours behind the wheel to obtain a CDL. It's a fairly transparent statement, something the internet police above just couldn't comprehend. People say the funniest things behind screens in the comfort of their trailers.

 

Is it worth going to a PTDI certified school employer wise?. Does a PTDI certificate on your school deploma help with trucking company insurance companys? If so why?

 

Any JoeBlow can can get a cdl. As long as you have a truck to take the test in. However, no company is going to hire you without the sufficient hours from an accredited school. That is probably why it is not a law! Just like shifting across railroad tracks; it may not be a dot law but if you do it while taking a company driving test they will fail you. Checking your mirrors every 6-8 seconds is not a law, but you must do it during a company driving test. The trucking companies have insurance companies that set rules in which they must follow or they will not insure them. Biodiesel have you ever driven or are you reading out of a book?

 

I think I migh be going with Bates Technical College