CA SB344

Commencing January 1, 2018, requires persons to successfully complete an approved course of instruction from a certified commercial driver training institution or employer before obtaining an original commercial driver's license, with limited exemptions for military experience and certain approved training programs.

Establishes minimum standards for commercial driver training courses to ensure drivers are proficient in safely operating commercial vehicles, with the Department of Motor Vehicles responsible for certifying institutions and updating standards to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requirements.

Exempts from the course requirement commercial motor vehicle drivers with military experience currently licensed with the U.S. Armed Forces, those with valid certificates from approved employer-testing programs, those with California Highway Patrol driving certificates, and those who completed specified transit training programs.

Removes the exemption from the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 for institutions certified by the Department of Motor Vehicles to offer commercial driver's license preparation courses, making such institutions subject to state regulation commencing January 1, 2018.

Maintains existing requirements for passing written and driving tests that comply with federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act standards and all other applicable federal and state requirements.