If you’ve ever driven the stretch of I-35 or I-10 in Texas, you’ve probably noticed, trucks keep the state moving. From Gulf ports to border crossings and warehouses in between, Texas depends on commercial truck drivers to move its economy. In 2022, Texas’ freight system transported $3.1 trillion worth of freight—the largest value of freight moved in all 50 states, according to a 2023 TRIP report, a National Transportation Research Nonprofit.1 TRIP also notes that this value number is expected to increase by 92 percent from 2022 to 2050, showcasing the future need of truck driving professionals in the state of Texas. Getting your commercial driver’s license (CDL) can open steady, sometimes high-paying work in one of the country’s largest freight hubs.2
In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know—from the CDL schools and licensing to funding options and where to find paid training programs that can lead directly to a job.
Key Takeaways
- Texas CDL training programs typically last three to four weeks and cost between $3,000 and $4,000, though carrier-sponsored programs may cover tuition in exchange for a work commitment.3
- All legitimate Texas CDL programs must be ELDT-compliant under FMCSA rules and registered with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) or an approved third-party tester.
- Funding options include Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants, GI Bill benefits, tuition-reimbursement programs, and employer-sponsored apprenticeships.
- Texas ranks among the nation’s leaders for trucking jobs, with entry-level CDL drivers earning around $70K per year as of 2025.
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Texas CDL Schools
We evaluated each CDL program using transparent, verifiable criteria.
1. Entry-Level Driver Training (EDLT) compliance. Each school must meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) EDLT requirements and appear in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
2. Third-party testing and accreditation. Schools must be Department of Public Safety (DPS)-approved or use licensed test partners.
3. Equipment quality. Modern trucks (manual and automatic) and safe training ranges.
4. Job placement and carrier partnerships. Hiring pipelines or company sponsorships.
5. Affordability and financing. Clear tuition pricing and financing options.
Explore CDL Schools Located in Texas
Southern Careers Institute — CDL-A Course
This private technical school offers a commercial driver’s license (CDL) Class A course that can be completed in about four weeks. This program is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (CCOE) and offers online coursework in addition to behind-the-wheel training. As of November 2025, Southern Careers Institute notes that they have partnerships with local Texas industries as well as national partners to help you graduate ready to take your CDL skills exam and enter entry-level driving roles.4
Lone Star College – Professional Truck Driver — Class A CDL Program
Lone Star’s Professional Truck Driver certificate program prepares students for their Class A CDL. The program takes as little as six weeks to complete on a full-time schedule and prepares you for an occupational skills credential. Students benefit from access to the college’s Houston-area employer network and the school’s training yard equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Professional Driving Academy — Class B CDL
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) offers both a Class A and Class B CDL training program. If you’re interested in becoming a professional bus driver, you can attend their program on campus in Abilene or Harlingen, Texas. This program is loaded with 120 hours of instruction and will prepare you to take the written permit exam in order to receive a Class B CDL with a Passenger endorsement.
Texas CDL Institute — Class A and Class B Programs
A newer independent school, Texas CDL Institute focuses on hands-on Class A and Class B CDL training with ELDT compliance and financial aid through tuition assistance. While pricing varies by package, the school emphasizes state-certified instructors, modern training vehicles, and flexible training options—with in-person and online class options.
ATDS Truck Driving School — Class-A CDL Training
With five Texas locations and over 40 years of training experience, this four-week Class A CDL training program emphasizes safety, hands-on learning, and real-world experience. Offering instruction in automatic and manual trucks, programs include basic control skills training with experienced instructors. Graduates receive job placement assistance through the school’s employer network, as of November 2025.5
Trucker Certified — Class A and Class B CDL Training
Offering online ELDT-compliant CDL training with in-person, behind-the-wheel instruction, Trucker Certified provides all-encompassing exam preparation for aspiring Class A drivers. The school promotes personalized coaching and a focus on test readiness, making it a practical choice for self-funded students who want to move quickly into local driving roles.
C1 Truck Driver Training — Class A and Class B CDL Training
For over 35 years, C1 Truck Driver Training has been providing affordable, hands-on CDL training to the next generation of trucking professionals. With tuition assistance, reimbursement programs, and company-sponsored CDL programs, you’ll be able to start your new career without the financial strain. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, you’ll be able to complete training in as little as four weeks.
SAGE Truck Driving Schools — Class A and Class B CDL Training
Located in Dallas, Texas, SAGE truck driving school offers a combination of ELDT Theory and behind-the-wheel, hands-on training. Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll have SAGE supporting you in your new career with their network of local, regional, and national employer partners.
No Limit Truck Driving School — CDL Training Class A and Class B
This FMCSA-verified, Dallas-based trucking school has been successfully educating the future generation of truck drivers for 35 years. With CDL training programs in Class A and Class B, as well as their online ELDT courses, students get hands-on driving experience and CDL exam prep support, all with some of the most flexible learning options out there.
Southern CDL Training — Class A and Class B Programs
Southern CDL Training offers personalized Class A and Class B CDL training options for new drivers. What makes this CDL school stand out among its competitors is that it offers the option to pursue one-on-one CDL training for students who have more diverse learning styles and may require more personalized feedback and attention. Their mission is to prepare all students to pass the CDL exam with flying colors, even if it means going the extra mile.
How to Choose the Right CDL School in Texas
- Full-time vs Part-time Classes: Choose flexibility, but ensure adequate behind-the-wheel hours.
- Regional Placement: Pick schools with strong local employer ties.
- Carrier vs Independent: Carrier-sponsored = lower cost but work commitment; independent = freedom but sometimes higher tuition.6
Texas CDL Licensing Requirements
According to Driver Resource Center, these are the main CDL licensing requirements if you’re planning on becoming a truck driver in the state of Texas:7
- 18 years old to drive just within the state of Texas and 21 to drive across state lines.
- Valid Texas driver’s license.
- Pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination.
- Obtain a commercial learner’s permit 14 days prior to taking the CDL test.
- Complete ELDT from an FMCSA-approved program, including behind-the-wheel training.
- Pass the three-part skills test, including pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic controls, and road test.
- Acquire additional endorsements where necessary, including T (Doubles/Triples), N (Tanker), H (HazMat), X (Tanker + HazMat).8
Funding Options
- Workforce Grants: The Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) may offset training costs for eligible students.9,10
- GI Bill: VA-approved programs allow veterans to use education benefits.11
- Tuition Reimbursement: Employers may pay for the costs if you commit to work for them after training.
Truck Driving Jobs in Texas
- Employment Growth: Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver jobs are projected to grow nationwide by four percent from 2024–2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); and, according to a 2024 report from the Texas Workforce Commission, “Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers are projected to make the largest occupational gains 407 through 2032 to reach an estimated employment of 143,802 jobs.”12,13
- Median Starting Pay: Around $73,247 per year, or $35 per hour, for entry-level CDL 14
- Job Openings: Check out CDLjobs.com for the most recent job opportunities for truck driving in Texas.15
CDL Training Texas FAQs
How long does CDL training take in Texas?
Most programs run for four to eight weeks; apprenticeships extend into on-the-job training that can last between four and six months.
Do I need manual transmission training?
Although manual training is not mandatory, CDLhelp.com recommends having both manual and automatic training so that you are not limited in your career, noting that “You might work in construction, oil/gas, agriculture, or local delivery—now or someday. These fields still run a significant number of manual trucks.”16
Is paid CDL training a good idea?
If you’re comfortable with committing to one carrier for up to one year or more, it can lower tuition costs as well as exam and licensing fees.
Which endorsements are most valuable in Texas?
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the most valuable endorsements are for any specific state; however, it’s generally common for high-paying truck driver jobs to require HazMat, Tanker, and Doubles/Triples endorsements—this also offers the widest range of regional opportunities.17
Final Thoughts
Getting your CDL in Texas opens a path to stable, sometimes well-paying work in a sector that’s consistently hiring. Whether you choose a flexible independent school or a sponsored program with job placement, the key is to train with an ELDT-compliant provider and verify equipment, instructors, and job partnerships before enrolling.
Sources:
1 https://tripnet.org/reports/freight-texas-news-release-12-05-2023/
2 https://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/blog/2025/03/24/top-10-largest-states-in-the-u-s-for-trucking/
3 https://easy-prep.org/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-a-cdl-in-texas/
5 https://www.truckingschool.com/job-placement
6 https://www.stevenstransport.com/drivers/cdl-training/
7 https://driverresourcecenter.com/how-to-get-a-cdl-in-texas/
8 https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-endorsements-and-restrictions
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9 https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs?page=0
10 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa
11 https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/non-college-degree-programs/
14 https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Entry-Level-Cdl-Driver-Salary–in-Texas
15 https://www.cdljobs.com/company-profiles?state=8796093022208&freight=&driver=
17 https://www.cdlhelp.com/blog/essential-cdl-endorsements-guide-for-new-truckers
