CDL Regulations Changing In January?

When I visited a local private trucking school two days ago, the receptionist who gave me a tour of the facility mentioned that "I came in at the right time, and should try to start the course before January, when everything will be changing"....she proceeded explaining to me that the regulations will change, that the training required to obtain your CDL will be longer, therefor more expensive. She said that instead of having your license in the state you reside/take your course, that they are trying to have a license for all of the country instead of state specific...or something along those lines? Thoughts?

No need to say, I feel the pressure. I don't want this to be harder, take longer, and be more expensive than it has to be! PS why do people say Massachusetts is one of the hardest state to obtain your CDL? Ugh..

Being a lady did you ever stop to think that they were telling you that information to edge you on to sign up and go into debt with them? All they want is your money. You could take the time to call DDS to see if there is any changes that will be coming in the future. They will say anything to try to get you to sign up quicker. Just be wise when companies try their pressure tatics.

Being a lady did you ever stop to think that they were telling you that information to edge you on to sign up and go into debt with them? All they want is your money. You could take the time to call DDS to see if there is any changes that will be coming in the future. They will say anything to try to get you to sign up quicker. Just be wise when companies try their pressure tatics.

In fact, I did think about her trying to get me to sign up. It crossed my mind, and then I thought to myself "I'm just being paranoid! Why would she lie about something like that?" And then my other little voice said "because sales people lie all the time to get you to buy into what they're trying to sell you!" I didn't want to start doubting that a school I'd pay thousands to teach me would start off on the wrong foot and lie about something right from the get go....then again....I should know better.

I know here in PA our instructor told us new regulations were going to be happening within the next few classes. Nothing major just adding a new backing skill in order to pass your CDL test.

They made a major change in July of this year. It was what you mentioned about 50 state but with a few other things. A CDL is a federal license but the big issue was for someone training in one state but living in another (ex: company sponsored program) and their home state not recognizing the license they earned. The new changes allow all states to recognize other states testing requirements making it a bit more universal and then you just have to transfer the license to your home state. After the new regs, a few states were a bit slower in enacting those changes. Along with that, many states also changed their skills requirements. I hope this helps ......

They made a major change in July of this year. It was what you mentioned about 50 state but with a few other things. A CDL is a federal license but the big issue was for someone training in one state but living in another (ex: company sponsored program) and their home state not recognizing the license they earned. The new changes allow all states to recognize other states testing requirements making it a bit more universal and then you just have to transfer the license to your home state. After the new regs, a few states were a bit slower in enacting those changes. Along with that, many states also changed their skills requirements. I hope this helps ......

So that change ALREADY went into effect?? Why in the world would she tell me it's going to happen in January? She even went as far as saying "we will have until June to make the changes". Ugh.

The states regulate their own licensing programs. Each state determines what it takes to get a CDL. They design their own tests, testing procedures, and requirements. I'm not sure what changes she is talking about that will go into effect in January but they very well may be state specific.

The states regulate their own licensing programs. Each state determines what it takes to get a CDL. They design their own tests, testing procedures, and requirements. I'm not sure what changes she is talking about that will go into effect in January but they very well may be state specific.

Ok, will try to find out. Thank you

I tried looking up regs but couldn't find any new regs.

There were a few HOS regs that were scaled back, temporarily, that might come back next year, but that is all I am aware of.

Dave