Do companies really care about a certificate?

Yep, companies want to see it. Probably make a copy for their records and the insurance company. Some companies even want to see the class standing or in some cases GPA.

 

You'll never need to contact the school again..saves time when proving your record
I never got mine..always requires a verification phone call from perspective employer.

 

I had an outfit ask for mine a few years ago, and I had to laugh, as that was thirty years ago... I have not got a clue where that thing is. LOL! Yes, you will need your certificate or proof of school/training unless you are like me, with many years and provable work History in the industry as a driver or owner op. I believe my state, Michigan requires it for that first CDL license too.

 

unless you are fully paid up on your tuition, schools (in the past) never gave out the certificates of graduation. (that's if you are paying them by yourself, no student loan.)
if you got a student loan, then you WILL get that certificate, just telling you the way it is/was.

i never attended any of my graduations, whether it was HS or driving school. i need NOT hear any speeches, that amount to the same ole, same ole rhetoric they fed us IN school!!

and yes, they did mail me my HS diploma and driving school certificate, only not the next day. i think it was like 2 weeks later and several phone calls to the driving school and asking...Where TF is my certificate?

the trucking company will want to see that certificate, maybe make a copy and include that with the insurance company they have.

 

Yes, get the certificate. Companies and their respective insurance companies will want to see that you actually completed an accredited training program.

 

When I started here at Boyd Bros fresh out of CDL School they made a copy of mine during orientation. I also keep the original with me on the truck at all times.

 

In my home state of Alaska you can still go in and take the knowledge tests at DMV and then you are required to wait 14days before taking the road test. Once the road test is done they issue you a CDL. There is no school requirement or certificates given. Additionally the knowledge test turns off as soon as you answer enough of the questions to achieve the 80% passing grade, no higher grade is possible. I wonder how that would look to potential employers for guys that have gotten their CDLs in Alaska and then end up looking for work in other States?

 

I can answer that for you. I applied to many companies outside of Alaska while in CDL school, only a couple would talk to me on the phone and even though I explained that i was going to relocate from AK to "their" zip code, I was flat out refused. I did get one job offer though, it was from FedX the day after i accepted a local job in Anchorage.

The chances of getting hired outside the state of AK with an AK CDL, are slim to none. But, this is not what the thread is about, it is about gaining a CDL school certificate and the value of possessing said certificate for prospective employer verification. A certificate from an accredited PTDI school is worth something to all parties involved.

 

I am an O/O so it isn't a concern and I was posting about the value of the certificate directly. Your reply is exactly what this thread had me thinking, since many drivers that start their career in Alaska they may have trouble later if they don't have the certificate. Seems like the certificate has tangible value.