How long does it take to become a CDL driver?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

It takes around seven weeks to become a CDL driver. The length of time it takes to get your CDL relies on a handful of factors. It can take as little as three weeks or upwards of 6 months. Many factors, including the type of license (class A vs. class B) and the type of program, determine how long it can take to get your CDL.

To enroll in a truck driving school, you need to have completed high school or the GED and be over 18 years old, have good vision, and pass a background test.

After that, you must decide on the type of trucker you want to become. Knowing this will determine the type of CDL license to get and how long it will take you to become a CDL driver.

There are different types of Certified Driver's License (CDL) depending on the kind of truck.

Class A license (7- weeks to complete, 168 classroom hours) covers the heaviest of trucks (a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds) and includes flatbeds, dry vans, semis, big rigs/18-wheelers, truck trailer combinations - double and triple trailers, and tractor-trailer buses.
Class B license (4 to 8 weeks to complete, 70 to 120 classroom hours) covers trucks at moderate to heavy in weight and includes - straight trucks, buses, garbage trucks, dump trucks, delivery trucks, or cement mixers.
Class C license (3 weeks to complete) covers smaller vehicles, including delivery trucks, warehouse trucks, and large passenger vans for 16 or more passengers.

Be sure to check out local community colleges, private truck driving schools, and trucking companies that host truck driver training programs that qualify you to take the CDL exam. Some states have their own process of auditing and accrediting programs, so make sure you know your state's BMV or DMV regulations.

Once you earn your CDL and other Relevant trucking credentials - they may vary depending on how specialized a truck driver you wish to become, as well as the type of truck and distance (e.g., cross-country) you focus on, and the final step is to begin applying for entry-level truck driving positions.