WASHINGTON Applicants for commercial drivers licenses would be required to complete classroom and behind-the-wheel training from an accredited program, under a proposed federal rule announced last month.

Beginning three years after the effective date of a final rule, CDL or upgraded CDL applicants would have to provide a valid certificate from an accredited driving program, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said.

"This proposed rule will give (commercial vehicle) drivers additional skills needed to keep our roads safe," said FMCSA Administrator John Hill in a statement.

The rule would not affect current CDL holders.

The training curriculum required by the rule includes CDL safety regulations, vehicle operation and safe operating practices.

The educational institution must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

The proposed rule requires different levels of training for the three classes of commercial driver licenses.

For "Class A" CDLs for tractor-trailer drivers, the rule would require a minimum of 76 hours of classroom instruction and 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training, for a total of 120 hours.

For "Class B" CDLs (large "box" or van trucks) and "Class C" CDLs (hazardous materials and certain passenger-carrying vehicles), the proposed rule would require a minimum of 58 hours of classroom instruction and 32 hours behind-the-wheel training, for a total of 90 hours.

The FMCSA is seeking public comment on the proposal through March 25.

Instructions for submitting comments are available at www.regulations.gov. The docket number is FMCSA-2007-27748.