As their motto says: "Driven by Excellence, Measured by Quality" the Professional Truck Driver Institute has become the most important supporter of optimum standards and professionalism for entry-level truck driver training in the nation. Since their beginning in 1986 the mission of this Institute is to guard and guarantee that drivers are going to be highly trained and deftly skilled. One of the achievements of the Institute is to create the first voluntary curriculum and certification principles accepted by both the industry and the government.
Another important aspect of the Institute is that it also serves as a public forum. It has the sponsorship of the American trucking industry, motor carriers, insurers, schools, government bodies, safety advocates and the news media. They all join hands in the mission of assuring that the movement of commodities across the country is in the hands of the best trained and safest drivers.
Promoting high quality truck driving training courses that evaluate excellence is one of the main purposes of PTDI. Proficiency, safety and professionalism are the most important aspects on which the Institute focuses.
Some requirements needed to qualify as an applicant for the PTDI certification include having a current license by applicable local, state and/or federal agencies, have graduated a minimum of fifteen students in the course for which they are seeking certification in the twelve months preceding the application; inform the amount of training offered in hours, and use an identified staff of individuals who are actively involved in training, among others.
Today more and more truck driving schools would like that everyone who deals with their courses are prepared by national standards. Obtaining PTDI certification is not only a good measure, but in addition it guarantees the best training for truck drivers in the industry. At the moment, PTDI-certified courses are offered at 54 schools in 27 states of the U.S. and Canada.