How Long Is Truck Driving School?
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You may already know that you need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to become a commercial truck driver, but how long does it take to get a CDL? CDL training programs can be as short as three weeks and as long as six weeks, depending on the type of commercial job you’re training for, whether your program is part-time or full-time, and other factors. In addition, the length of your truck driving schooling can be extended by skills testing and other requirements.
CDL Training Programs: Class A, Class B, and Class C
There are three CDL training program tiers, which qualify you to operate progressively heavier vehicles and cargo. How long does it take to get a CDL Class A compared to Class B or Class C? Again, the exact timeframe will vary, but you can generally expect Class A training to take the least amount of time.
Class A CDL Training
- Qualifies you to operate vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, with a towed vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
- Examples: tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, tanker vehicles, livestock carriers, flatbeds.
Class B CDL Training
- Qualifies you to operate commercial trucks plus an attached cab/cargo area with a combined weight of over 26,000 pounds.
- Qualifies you to operate commercial trucks with a detached towed cargo vehicle weighing less than 10,000 pounds.
- Examples: straight trucks, large buses, segmented buses, box trucks, dump trucks with small trailers.
Class C CDL Training
- Qualifies you to operate single vehicles with a GVWR of under 26,001 pounds,
- Qualifies you to operate a vehicle towing another vehicle weighing less than 10,000 pounds
- Qualifies you to operate transports of 16 or more passengers, driver included.
- Examples: double/triple trailers, buses, tank trucks, Hazmat vehicles.
If you’re considering a CDL training program, you’ll want to be aware of the expected cost to complete it. The cost of a CDL training program can range from $3,000 to $7,000 (although some organizations offer free CDL training benefits to those who qualify).
After CDL Training: What Comes Next?
The actual CDL training is only a part of the picture. There are a few more steps to take once you’ve completed your program and added any endorsements (like HAZMAT, School Bus/Passenger, Doubles/Triples, Tanker, Air Brake, and others).
So, how long is truck driving school when you factor in every part of the process? Completing your CDL skills test can add a few more weeks to your timeline, depending on where you complete it. CDL skills tests are available at private training facilities, employers, government institutions, and other private institutions—and each may offer a different testing schedule.
You should also plan on a week or so to pass a drug and alcohol test, pass a background check, and complete all necessary paperwork.
Questions About Truck Driving School Requirements?
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