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Career path
How to Become a CDL Truck Driver
Every route into hauling freight over the road with a Class A commercial license.
Median pay$58k
Median pay is the midpoint of 37 recent CDL Truck Driver postings in that index that published a salary range — not a national average.
Where are you starting? (no signup)
Every route in
Private CDL school
3 months · about $5.1k
- 1
Get your CLP and start school
Months 1–1
- DOT Compliance
- 2
Pass the CDL road test
Months 2–3
- Commercial Driving
- Vehicle Inspection
CDL Class A License (private CDL school tuition) · State licensing agency / private CDL school · about $5,000 · about 2 months
Programme details →HazMat Endorsement (TSA threat assessment + state endorsement fee) · TSA (threat assessment) / state licensing agency · about $130 · about 1 months
Programme details →
Company-sponsored training
4 months · about $130
- 1
Hire on with a carrier that pays for school
Months 1–2
- DOT Compliance
- 2
Finish your training miles and go solo
Months 3–4
- Commercial Driving
- Vehicle Inspection
CDL Class A License (private CDL school tuition) · State licensing agency / private CDL school · about $5,000 · about 2 months
Programme details →