is it mandatory to go to an “accredited” CDL training school or not really?

It depends on what company you want to work for. Some will require some sort of proof that you went to X (usually 120-160) hours of school at a licensed/accredited school.

There is no rule that you have to go to school - you just have to have the knowledge and skills to pass the test at the DMV to get your CDL, both of which are easily acquired without spending time/money going to an official school.

But again - some companies will require some sort of schooling proof.

 

Almost like the almighty college degree for most other jobs. Sure, you could probably pick it up on your own, and learn how to do it. But its that ###### piece of paper that knows how to better than you.

 

Actually, I thought some states require the school before you can drive test.

 

i cannot speak about ALL the sates, only the 3 i deal with. that is to say, truck, permit, sponsor.....is all that's needed for the road test......

now whether or not someone GETS a job without proper training is yet another thing....however, PROPER training has a variable meaning.

schooling of course....

an experienced driver (maybe an o/o wanting extra money) teaching for a fee is another.

it's what the trucking companies WILL ACCEPT..........that count's.....

 

Currently school is not mandatory by DOT. A lot of the mega carriers require it not DOT, it is a company requirement.

It is a very large part of there profit center. The schools only teach you to pass you CDL tests anyway. Your trainer teaches you how to drive.

 

exactly where I was going with the college degree thing. It gets you in the door, but does not prove you can do anything.

 

i've been wondering this a lot since i'm gonna be upgrading from B license, to my A license in a few months, and i'm just gonna take some private classes where i might only put 8 hours in there since i wont need a lot of time to learn the stuff, the only require 4 hours so it might very well be even less then 8. theres no way i'm paying to go to a big school at the tune of 5000 or more.

 

The FMCSA is in the process of making a driver training rule. The rule is expected to require going to an accredited school. It is also expected to make it so that it will be impossible to get the hours required from the school in less than 4-6 weeks of training.
I think this is a good thing. The 9 day CDL mills are a joke.

Rule is expected to be published for preliminary comments in the first quarter of the year.