Thanks Washington

[Scag48]

Starting July 2008, those who want to obtain a CDL in Washington state are required to meet 160 hours of training before they can recieve the license. What a stupid and ridiculous idea that is, way to make it even more difficult for the upcoming generation to get into the field. Is it just me or is this backward thinking? If CDL drivers have to recieve 160 hours of training I think that anyone getting a standard drivers license should have to sit through 25 hours of instruction. Those of us who got our licenses at 16 actually had to attend classes, those 18 and over can just go grab a license after they pass the written test, which is easier than all hell. I think there are many more stupid people driving around creating more problems, per capita, than CDL drivers so I'm not sure why we're boosting the requirements on commercial drivers.

[RockSet N' Grade]

Bottom line Scag.....if you don't have it, go get it now!

[Dirt Digger2]

sounds like a good idea to me...some of the drivers out there now are nuts...go get it now before its too late

[Scag48]

I can't get mine now, I just don't have the time otherwise I definately would. I'll be okay in the end, the union requires all apprentices to have a CDL within a year of starting the program and they offer CDL training at the grounds already. If they want all of us to recieve one, it will be up to the union to train us under these new requirements, I'm not terribly worried about being able to get a CDL in the future. However, it will become a little more time consuming than in the past but I guarantee the union will still continue to train for CDL's. But, it's the principle, these new requirements are going to put a chokehold on trucking for sure. I can only imagine how difficult it's going to be for someone who doesn't have training available to them. The CDL courses at my grounds are fairly basic for CDL driving, I think you have access to someone to teach you what you need to know and when you feel comfortable enough with your driving and want to test you can do the driving test there as well.

[Dirt Digger2]

a lot of trucking companies put rookies on the road with older drivers to gain plenty of experience, then the company a lot of time has licensed 3rd party testers to give the guy his license...the only people this new thing will be hurting is guys like you and me that only haul occasionally for a dirt company where you may only spend a few hours a week in a truck rather then 13 hours days like OTR guys do....good thing i already have my license :drinkup:

[Scag48]

Yeah you're right, if you're hired to drive truck you'll get the training. I think I'm looking at it the same way in my situation, I'm required to have one so I'll leave the training requirements up to the union, they will train me and get me legal eventually so I'm not terribly worried about it.

[lifetree]

Starting July 2008, those who want to obtain a CDL in Washington state are required to meet 160 hours of training before they can recieve the license. What a stupid and ridiculous idea that is, way to make it even more difficult for the upcoming generation to get into the field. ...

Couldn't agree more !!

[janb]

I'd get it sooner than later, (regardless of union). It is a perc for job assignments.

bottom line for me is time and money.... 160hrs is a lot of time (even if you are getting paid for it, which may or may not happen). Stuff happens... (like getting laid off after 32 yrs service but 6 wks before retirement eligibility...) jobs change... having extra tools in your box and taking the initiative to "get-er-done" outside of the normal process has paid dividends in my career. I tend to not wait for the pack, and consider the 'Western Posse Poster' that says in pictures... "you're either making dust (outlaws) or eat'n it (posse)". Too many years in the saddle seasoned my taste for dust. (horses and motorcycle racing)

I don't like the taste one bit. Like I tell my age 20 something kids... "there's 24 hrs in a day... git-er-done" (they don't take kindly to that than anymore than they did of my threat of "Dairy Farm boarding school" when they were teenagers) I got a lot of CDL experience pre-16 backing silage, feed, and hay wagons around... didn't kill me, tho the social life is a bit tough.

[Gravel Rat]

They won't do that in B.C. they can't get enough no speak english drivers. The trucking rate is so low its not profitable but the BCTA wants to import people from other countries to drive.

Bobcat ron see's it where he lives and around the lower mainland :laugh:

[hosejockey2002]

Wow, I didn't realize that the truck driving schools had that kind of political clout. They are the only ones who are going to benefit from this law. I'm sure glad I got mine when I did. Scag, hopefully they will just roll the training into your apprenticeship program so it won't be too much of a pain in the azz and you can get credit for the hours spent training.

[YellowDogSVC]

I'd Stuff happens... (like getting laid off after 32 yrs service but 6 wks before retirement eligibility...) jobs change... bit tough.

I would sue!

[Mjh Excavating]

I can't get mine now, I just don't have the time otherwise I definately would. I'll be okay in the end, the union requires all apprentices to have a CDL within a year of starting the program and they offer CDL training at the grounds already. If they want all of us to recieve one, it will be up to the union to train us under these new requirements, I'm not terribly worried about being able to get a CDL in the future. However, it will become a little more time consuming than in the past but I guarantee the union will still continue to train for CDL's. But, it's the principle, these new requirements are going to put a chokehold on trucking for sure. I can only imagine how difficult it's going to be for someone who doesn't have training available to them. The CDL courses at my grounds are fairly basic for CDL driving, I think you have access to someone to teach you what you need to know and when you feel comfortable enough with your driving and want to test you can do the driving test there as well.

Since when do you need a CDL to run iron? CDL's are for Teamsters.:)

[bobcat_ron]

Makes sense to me, up here there are too many "others" that drive like they got their Class 1 & 3 DL's off a milk jug or something.

[wanabe]

That is exactly what they want to do. Keep you from getting a CDL and then what-More mexican truck drivers! They are now in the US and will work for nothing. And they don't even go through the standard CDL testing!

[Scag48]

Since when do you need a CDL to run iron? CDL's are for Teamsters.:)

You're right, but a guy who can take a dump truck and a machine to a job and work by himself all day is worth his weight in gold.

I will get mine, I'm not worried, I'm sure the union will get us through this. I doubt they're going to cut the CDL requirement in the apprenticeship, I really, really doubt that will happen due to this new law change.

[coopers]

That is interesting news. Guess I won't be getting mine anytime soon. I have ZERO time for that and probably won't have the time for another 20 years! haha, I guess that's why renting isn't too bad and if I do get a machine later in the future that requires a dump truck I'll just hire out, just don't have the time to be messing around for a CDL. I do agree with it however.

[Mjh Excavating]

You're right, but a guy who can take a dump truck and a machine to a job and work by himself all day is worth his weight in gold.

I will get mine, I'm not worried, I'm sure the union will get us through this. I doubt they're going to cut the CDL requirement in the apprenticeship, I really, really doubt that will happen due to this new law change.

Just bustin chops, I've had my class A for 21 years now, also 9 years IUOE #825 . Good luck.