Licensed Schools Vs. Accredited

Licensed Schools vs. Accredited is there that much of a difference between the two?

Nope. Doesn't apply in the trucking world. Most recruiters don't even know what 'accredited' means.

Only two things matter:

1. The school has the 160-170 min hours that most companies like to see.

2. The school is accepted by the company you're interested in working for.

Why one company will 'accept' a school, and another company will not, is rather arbitrary. Accredited means nothing when it comes to getting a trucking job.

"Accredited" typically means that the course curriculum is approved by the State Board of Education, or by a trucking industry organization like PDTI (Professional Truckdrivers Training Institute) or CVTA (Commercial Vehicle Training Association).

CDL Drivers courses held at community colleges or VoTech schools are overseen by the State Board - they're also usually the least expensive (in comparison to private schools) and the longest in duration (mine was 9 weeks full time - 320 hours) and usually carry some sort of "transferable credit" in that states school system.

Most companies will universally accept courses done at "State Accredited Schools".

The larger private schools (such as Sage and Roadmaster) are also, pretty much accepted by all trucking companies.

Remember now - we're talking about companies that take student drivers RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL. The companies with "OTR experience requirements" usually don't care where you went to school - they're looking for 6 months - 1 year + of VERIFIED OTR experience.

As far as "licensing" goes - depending on the state - all businesses are required to be licensed, especially "schools". "Private Trucking Schools" likely don't have to comply with the same "state mandated curriculum" as county/state public schools do, but they all pretty much have to have "licenses" to operate. But usually a license is as simple as going to the county "occupational license" office - filling out a form, and paying a fee.

BEWARE THE CDL MILL. "Get Your CDL In A Week" - gives very little training, just enough to pass your CDL tests. Most of these are NOT going to be acceptable by trucking companies. As 6 String elaborated - companies are looking for 160 hours and up.

"Company Sponsored Schools" - where the company does the training (either themselves, or with a company like "Driver Solutions") is still the most cost effective way to get in - no $$ up front, and (pretty much) "guaranteed employment" upon completion. They are not "free", but you obligate yourself to drive for the company to pay back the cost of your schooling.

Company Sponsored Schools are typically the "most expensive" - usually $6-7K that has to be "paid back" over the course of your obligated employment. Private Schools are typically in the $4-6K range - and most companies offer something in the way of "tuition reimbursement" - though you usually have to stay on for quite awhile to cover the entire cost. Community College/VoTech schools are typically the least expensive - under $2K, but also the most lengthy - and they're FULL TIME courses (mine was 7-3, M-F for 9 weeks).

County schools probably give the most "wheel time" & "yard time" (aside from the "on the job training" of company schools). I logged over 1,000 road miles in my school.

Rick

Nope. Doesn't apply in the trucking world. Most recruiters don't even know what 'accredited' means.

Only two things matter:

1. The school has the 160-170 min hours that most companies like to see.

2. The school is accepted by the company you're interested in working for.

Why one company will 'accept' a school, and another company will not, is rather arbitrary. Accredited means nothing when it comes to getting a trucking job.

Thanks for info.

"Accredited" typically means that the course curriculum is approved by the State Board of Education, or by a trucking industry organization like PDTI (Professional Truckdrivers Training Institute) or CVTA (Commercial Vehicle Training Association).

CDL Drivers courses held at community colleges or VoTech schools are overseen by the State Board - they're also usually the least expensive (in comparison to private schools) and the longest in duration (mine was 9 weeks full time - 320 hours) and usually carry some sort of "transferable credit" in that states school system.

Most companies will universally accept courses done at "State Accredited Schools".

The larger private schools (such as Sage and Roadmaster) are also, pretty much accepted by all trucking companies.

Remember now - we're talking about companies that take student drivers RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL. The companies with "OTR experience requirements" usually don't care where you went to school - they're looking for 6 months - 1 year + of VERIFIED OTR experience.

As far as "licensing" goes - depending on the state - all businesses are required to be licensed, especially "schools". "Private Trucking Schools" likely don't have to comply with the same "state mandated curriculum" as county/state public schools do, but they all pretty much have to have "licenses" to operate. But usually a license is as simple as going to the county "occupational license" office - filling out a form, and paying a fee.

BEWARE THE CDL MILL. "Get Your CDL In A Week" - gives very little training, just enough to pass your CDL tests. Most of these are NOT going to be acceptable by trucking companies. As 6 String elaborated - companies are looking for 160 hours and up.

"Company Sponsored Schools" - where the company does the training (either themselves, or with a company like "Driver Solutions") is still the most cost effective way to get in - no $$ up front, and (pretty much) "guaranteed employment" upon completion. They are not "free", but you obligate yourself to drive for the company to pay back the cost of your schooling.

Company Sponsored Schools are typically the "most expensive" - usually $6-7K that has to be "paid back" over the course of your obligated employment. Private Schools are typically in the $4-6K range - and most companies offer something in the way of "tuition reimbursement" - though you usually have to stay on for quite awhile to cover the entire cost. Community College/VoTech schools are typically the least expensive - under $2K, but also the most lengthy - and they're FULL TIME courses (mine was 7-3, M-F for 9 weeks).

County schools probably give the most "wheel time" & "yard time" (aside from the "on the job training" of company schools). I logged over 1,000 road miles in my school.

Rick

Thanks Rick some great info.