Starting Community College Driving School Tomorrow

Just FYI, based on my research, PTDI certification doesn't really mean that much. It is certainly no guarantee of the quality of training. Basically it's a marketing program, regardless of how the PTDI folks try to represent it.

In order to be PTDI certified, schools have to pay large annual membership fees to PTDI. Many, if not most, community colleges don't have the funds to pay such fees without significantly increasing the tuition for their driving school, so they don't. Yet, the consensus is that community colleges provide some of the best training available.

The community college that I'm attending is using a video series sold by PTDI (they paid something like $1200 for 12 VHS tapes - and it's obvious that was YEARS ago.)

Bottom line, all "PTDI-certified" really means is that the school was willing to pay those large annual fees to the organization in order to be able to say that their course is "PTDI-certified".

Just FYI, NONE of the companies that I've applied to has even mentioned PTDI certification as a requirement for an acceptable course/school. Most did however say that the course had to provide a minimum of 160 hrs of training. I think that's the criteria that the carriers' insurance companies put on them.

 

Well, if they "DO have to meet all the criteria set, and they do get inspected to ensure that they DO meet them" as you said, then apparently the PTDI "criteria" allows for the "their equipment is inferior" situation to exist and still allow them to be "certified", huh?

That seems to validate what I've read a number of places about PTDI "certification" being little more than a marketing program.

One would think that any legitimate and meaningful "certification" for a skilled trade training program would cover the equipment used in that training program. Apparently that's not the case with PTDI.

In any event, if it makes people feel better to attend a "PTDI certified" course, then by all means seek one out.

BUT, in my experience with the companies that I've applied to, and been approved for hire by, NOT A SINGLE ONE ASKED ABOUT PTDI certification when inquiring about the course I was attending.

So, apparently their insurance carriers don't care about PTDI certification, but do care about the number of "hours of instruction".

 

Well, I haven't posted a school update in a week or so because we've been so busy.

Not really a lot to report other than just doing lots of driving, shifting and backing practice, etc.

 

Forgot to mention that I did take my CDL A Pre-trip inspection w/air brakes test, backing test, and road driving tests.

I went to the DMV yesterday to get my license and was pleasantly surprised by the trooper with the news that my "Hazmat background check was completed and reported to them electronically on Dec 7th"! I thought I'd have to make a second trip to the DMV to get my Hazmat endorsement added to my license as I hadn't received my TSA letter. But, my TSA letter was in my mailbox when I got home from the DMV. That only took about 3-4 weeks instead of the 6 that I was told it would probably take!

So, now I have an official CDL A with Hazmat, Tankers, and Doubles/Triples endorsements!!!

Finally!!!

Now my actual education is about to begin!

 

It's funny that you posted that as I just got off the phone with them before I jumped on here!

She's going to call me back to do my "15-minute interview" after she gets out of a meeting.

Great suggestion! Great minds think alike, huh?!!

Seriously, thanks for the suggestion and taking the time to post it!!

Happy holidays!1