Cengage Learning will be using some of the photos schools sent them previously in the upcoming 4th edition of "Trucking: Tractor/Trailer Handbook/Workbook" (name to be revised).  However, within the first ten chapters they would like to add 34 more photos, click here for "wish list."

For these photos they need 300 dpi resolution at approximately 3x5 size. Most digital cameras today take this resolution without changing any settings. For any photos submitted, they need to have the permission form signed and on file, and also if there are any individuals in the photos, they need them to sign the model release form.

If you have photos you would like to submit, please send them to Dawn Jacobson at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by August 5.

As many of you know, on May 8 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a Final Rule regarding Commercial Learner's Permits.  The Final Rule prohibits schools from testing (as third-party testers) students that they have trained.

The CVTA Board of Directors authorized the filing of a Petition for Reconsideration of the third party testing prohibition with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  Following that authorization, CVTA shared its concerns and coordinated with others impacted by the provision. 

We are pleased to report that a Petition for Reconsideration was filed today on behalf of five entities:  the American Trucking Associations, Inc.; the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, Inc.; the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driver Training Schools, Inc.; the Truckload Carriers Association, Inc.; and the Professional Truck Driver Institute. CVTA is very pleased to have the support of these other organizations on this important issue.

Click here for a copy of the Petition.  (Log-in Required.)

CVTA is pleased to be able to announce that the "Rookie of the Year" Contest created by Randall Reilly Publishing is up and running. The first "Rookie of the Year" will be recognized at the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, TX in August. CVTA helped Randall-Reilly in the development of this contest because the Association believes that the contest is a great way to not only recognize new drivers and attract attention to the truck driving occupation and build excitement about it.

The grand prize will include $10,000 cash as well as merchandise provided by sponsors. Semi finalists will also be recognized. Nominations may be submitted by schools, employers, trainers and individuals.

As its contribution, the Truckload Carriers' Association has agreed to host the application website. The website is: www.TruckLoad.org. When you land on the website, scroll to "Contests and Awards." The Rookie of the Year contest is the second one listed.

We encourage all members to nominate individuals that have been outstanding students or employees. 

ccjdigital.com/fmcsa-tightens-cdl-documentation-testing-rules
By CCJ Staff
Published May, 05 2011

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Thursday, May 5, issued its final rule amending the commercial driver’s license knowledge and skills testing standards and establishing new minimum federal standards for states to issue a commercial learner’s permit. FMCSA said the final rule will enhance safety by ensuring that only qualified drivers are allowed to operate CMVs.

“These new requirements we are announcing today will help ensure that carriers and drivers are in full compliance with federal safety regulations,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said at a press conference while standing beside motorcoach buses parked at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., to highlight how the rule also will improve passenger bus safety.

The final rule requires that a CLP holder meet virtually the same requirements as those for a CDL holder, meaning that a driver holding a CLP will be subject to the same driver disqualification penalties that apply to a CDL holder. The rule also specifically prohibits a motor carrier from using a driver who does not hold a current and appropriate CLP or CDL to operate a commercial motor vehicle and from using a driver to operate a vehicle in violation of the restrictions on the CLP or CDL.

“These measures will help us to better identify and swiftly weed out unsafe and irresponsible operators,” FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro said at the press conference.

April 21,  2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

With one "B" Model 1961 Mack tractor and a lot of determination, NTTS was founded 40 years ago by Harry Kowalchyk and William Mocarski.  National Tractor Trailer School's first students began training in May of 1971. Originally established in Newburgh, New York, NTTS opened a Syracuse campus in January of 1972. Syracuse proved to be more conducive to its mode of operation. Therefore in December of 1972, the schools merged into one campus located in Syracuse. In November of 1977, NTTS moved to its present location in Liverpool, New York and purchased the facility in May of 1981.

NTTS received its initial accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (formerly the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools), in October of 1984, and subsequently became an eligible institution for Title IV funding in March of 1985.

In May of 1989, the school established a branch location in Blasdell, New York. In May of 1990, the Blasdell facility was moved to its current location at 175 Katherine Street, Buffalo, New York. In October 1990, the Buffalo location was accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges as a branch location. Program offerings in Buffalo are essentially the same as at the Liverpool facility. Receiving its Commercial Drivers Course certification in July of 1998 from the Professional Truck Driver Institute, NTTS became part of a unique group of Professional Driver Training Schools in the United States and Canada. In 2010, NTTS signed a memorandum of understanding (M.O.U.) with Fort Drum to offer training to active duty military personnel and other qualified individuals. This M.O.U allows participants to enhance their military and/or transition to civilian careers with a marketable skill that's in demand nationwide.

Truckers Against Trafficking Launch Human Trafficking DVD Training

A first-of-its-kind training DVD on human trafficking and the critical role members of the trucking/travel plaza industry can have in fighting it is now available, free of charge.

“Because human trafficking becomes a costly, dangerous and relevant safety issue when it intersects with truckers and travel plaza employees, we hope trucking companies, travel plazas, truck-driving schools, state associations and national trucking associations will consider making this DVD a part of their orientation and training for all employees,” said Kendis Paris, a national coordinator for Truckers Against Trafficking. “Traffickers are continually moving their victims along our nations’ highways and roads. Truckers, travel plaza employees and the entire trucking industry can become heroes in the fight against human trafficking as they are educated on the issue and then take action to fight it.”

CVTA has been active on two issues that could have a major impact on our school and carrier members.

First, the Association has submitted written testimony to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which is holding a series of nationwide "listening sessions" on transportation policy.

The sessions are highly controlled, thus we were not able to testify in person. Lou Spoonhour will be attending the session that is to be held in Chicago on Sunday, February 20, and hopefully he will be allowed to present CVTA's testimony for the record during the roundtable portion of the hearing.

FMCSA Hours-of-Service Listening Session

On Thursday, February 17, 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will hold a public listening session in Arlington, VA on its regulatory proposal that would revise hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for commercial truck drivers.

The entire listening session will be webcast live via the Internet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST to enable public participation across the country. In addition, FMCSA will host an online comment and question forum for the public starting at 12 noon until midnight EST... Continue to read more...

Details about the webcast and forum are available at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos/HOS-Listening-Sessions.aspx