Is Squire (Knight's CDL Training) An Accredited CDL Course?

Random question I know, and it doesn't really make any difference. I'm starting class this coming Monday 10-20-14. I was just reading about some training courses are considered accredited or approved, and others aren't. Just curious is Knight's Squire Program approved/accredited by a state or federal agency. Not even 100% what that could mean as far as career goes. I'm assuming not much as long as I stay with Knight for at least a year and have a good driving record.

Any thoughts? Knowledge? Tips? Anything is appreciated.

Hey Nathan. I don't know the details of their program and what they had to go through with the state to get approval to run their school. But what really matters is that their training is considered legitimate by other trucking companies - and it is. If you got training at Knight and wanted to change companies, you could. Other major carriers would hire you knowing the training you got was thorough.

In fact, all of the Company-Sponsored Training Programs are indeed legitimate programs that are recongnized by other major carriers.

So you're in good hands over there at Knight.

There are accrediting agencies in the trucking industry but they're largely ignored by major carriers. Most of the accrediting agencies in trucking are cash generating machines - that's about it. Reason being - there are no standards for training in the trucking industry. Trucking companies themselves generally want to see you go through a schooling with a minimum of 160 hours of training, but there is no standard for what you should be learning during those 160 hours. Groups have tried for years to get the Federal Government to set forth curriculum requirements but as of now there are not any.

Hey thanks! That is good to hear! Thanks for taking the time to respond and explain things...makes sense now!

By the way, thanks for this great site! It's been a major help to me...and I didn't have to ask too many questions because most of my questions have already been answered in other forums.

High Road Training Program helped me ace my CDL permit. Sored 96, 96, and 92...and the only studying I did was with High Road. I'm still going to keep moving through it as I'm training as I can tell it's a super valuable tool!

That's awesome Nathan - congrats on the great scores!

Keep working hard and never hesitate to ask anything that's on your mind. That's what we're here for.

The Squire program is both their school and actually the company name you will be working under when with your OTR trainer and for your first 30,000 miles. Its pretty much set up as two separate companies. I went through private school so cant tell you a whole lot about the school itself, but I do think you will get more drive time early on compared to most private schools from the way I understand their school to work. As far as your OTR training it is like all other companies and kind of the luck of the draw. I spoke regularly with a couple guys that went through orientation with me that were less than thrilled with the mentor they had. But I can tell you I could not have asked for a better trainer! Sure we had our differences as you have two grown men that don't know each other living in a closet, but I can never thank him enough for what he taught me. We still call and talk to each other once in a while even though I changed companies and he went back to driving in Alaska.

One great thing about Knights program (unless it has changed) is they do not sign you to an employment contract for the schooling. So once you have your initial time in, which pretty much everyone agrees should be at least a year, if you choose to go to another company before your schooling is paid off all they ask is you keep up with the payments.

Get in there and work hard, show yourself as a dependable and safe driver, and you will be extremely happy with your choice to go with Knight/Squire.

Woody