California has long been a viable location to find a rewarding career across a number of fields, and the trucking industry is no different. As a matter of fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks California as the state with the 2nd-highest employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with 211,740 jobs, as well as the 13th-highest median annual salary at $59,950—well above than the national median across all industries of $49,500.1 And five of the state’s metro areas are in the top twenty highest-employing cities across the country.
The California Employment Development Department expects the demand for heavy truck drivers to only grow, projecting an 11.7% job growth rate through 2032.2 Amidst a shifting and evolving field, it’s no wonder that the state, with its major freight economy across a number of ports, remains a strong prospect for those looking to start a new career as a trucker.
But first, you’ll need to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL). In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top truck driving schools, as well as the requirements and cost of getting your CDL. Read on to learn more!
Ranking Criteria for California CDL Schools
When compiling our list of top truck driving schools in California, we took several factors into account. These include FMCSA approval, time spent behind the wheel, available trucks, job placement assistance, cost, and student reviews.
Best CDL Training Programs in California
All information has been gathered from school websites as of December 2025.
Hi-Desert Truck Driving School
Hi-Desert has been training prospective drivers in Southern California for over 20 years.3 They offer a wide variety of programs to choose from, and even provide an hourly option for those who need more specific scheduling.
Location: Lancaster, CA
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $2,300 and including hourly training
Program length: Six-eight weeks for full courses
Endorsements: HAZMAT, Passenger, Tanker, and Triple/Double
Graduation/job placement: Job placement assistance available
Apex Truck Driving School
As both an educator and testing facility, Apex CDL aims to make it easy for aspiring truckers to enter the field. They even offer a fast track course, for those who already know CDL theory, and access to lifetime job placement services.4
Location: Stockton, CA
Tuition: $5,000 for full course, $3,600 for fast track, and $150/hour for hourly training
Program length: 4–6 weeks for full course, 2–4 weeks for fast track
Endorsements: HAZMAT, Passenger, School Bus
Graduation/job placement: Connected to companies, charities, and alumni for placement assistance, with job board available to graduates
Premier Truck Driving School
With locations across the country, over 35 years of experience, and more than 10,000 graduates, Premier Truck Driving School has a track record of making a trucking career more accessible.5 They also provide access to their network of employer partners, from the first day to program completion and beyond.
Location: Colton, CA
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $2,500
Program length: Varies by course
Endorsements: School Bus, Passenger, and more
Graduation/job placement: Partners with trucking companies for placement assistance
HB CDL Driving Academy
For more than 15 years, HB CDL Driving Academy has been providing training not only in Class A and B CDLs, but also Class C, multiple endorsements, and even chauffeur training.6 They also offer financing options depending on the type of program you’re pursuing.
Location: Westminster, CA
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $2,250
Program Length: 30–45 days
Endorsements: HAZMAT, Passenger
Graduation/job placement: Access to job placement assistance
160 Driving Academy
160 Driving Academy is the largest CDL training school in the United States, with nearly 150 locations across the country.7 Because of this, prospective truck drivers don’t have to look far to find programs that focus on class A CDLs, double/triple and HAZMAT certifications, and more. They even offer online ELDT theory classes for free!
Location: Bakersfield, Barstow, Fresno, Oceanside, Oxnard, Redding, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Stockton, CA
Tuition: Varies by course
Program Length: Four weeks
Endorsements: HAZMAT
Graduation/job placement: Access to lifetime career guidance and membership to Truckers Network
Right Lane Trucking School
According to Right Lane Trucking School’s website, their mission is to “provide hands-on CDL training with personalized guidance, modern trucks, and unwavering safety standards.”8 They offer training in both manual and automatic trucks, and their program tuition includes up to three exam attempts.
Location: Rialto, CA
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $2,500
Program Length: Varies by course
Endorsements: HAZMAT
Graduation/job placement: Access to job placement assistance and employer connections
Domestic Truck Driving School
Boasting newly-updated facilities and a fleet of five late-model Freightliner tractors plus six trailers, Domestic Truck Driving School has helped thousands of drivers in the Bay Area get their Class A and Class B CDLs.9
Location: Newark, CA
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $6,800
Program Length: 160 hours
Endorsements: N/A
Graduation/job placement: Access to job placement assistance with partner carriers
International Truck Driving School
International Truck Driving School provides a range of services, from private driving lessons, to both parent and teen instruction, to CDL classes and endorsements, and many more in between.10 They also offer refresher courses and career resources to help current drivers grow in the industry.
Location: Hayward CA
Tuition: Varies by course, contact school
Program Length: Two weeks
Endorsements: Passenger
Graduation/job placement: Access to job placement assistance through connections with carriers
AGT Trucking School
AGT emphasized one-on-one training, with a single student per instructor on driving courses and two students per instructor on backing and pre-trip training. They have been in business for over 20 years and have trained around 1,000 drivers in California through flexible scheduling and multi-language support.11
Location: Los Angeles and Ventura, CA
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $3,300
Program Length: Up to 25 weeks
Endorsements: Passenger
Graduation/job placement: N/A
Masters Trucking Academy
With a flexible schedule and a class size limit of six per truck, Masters Trucking Academy aims to provide a comprehensive, and personalized education experience for all their students.12 And even after completing the program, graduates have access to resources and support to strengthen skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
Location: Gardena, CA
Tuition: Contact school
Program Length: 10 weeks, with schedule flexibility
Endorsements: N/A
Graduation/job placement: Carrier partnerships, job fairs, and ongoing professional development for graduates
California Commercial Driver’s License Requirements
In order to operate a commercial motor vehicle in California, there are several requirements you must meet:
- Age. You must be at least 18 years of age, or 21 if you are driving a vehicle that transports interstate commerce or hazardous materials or wastes within CA or across state lines.
- Residency. You must be a resident of California and provide acceptable proof of residency documentation.
- Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). You must apply for a CLP in order to begin your training, as well as, having a California driver’s license prior to getting your CLP.
- Medical examination. You must complete a DOT physical exam from an FMCSA-approved medical examiner and submit a Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
- Background check. You must undergo fingerprinting during your application. If you’re applying for a HAZMAT endorsement, you must also undergo a background check from the TSA.
- Skills test. You must pass an examination that includes knowledge of safely operating vehicles for your particular license class/endorsement, driving on the road, and more.
- Differences between Class A, B, and C. Class A and B licenses are for vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more, with Class A towing a trailer over 10,000 pounds and Class B without a trailer over 10,000 pounds. Class C is for commercial vehicles that do not meet the weight requirements of Class A or B, while transporting passengers or hazardous materials.
CDL Training Costs in California
According to CDLeXpert, the tuition for truck driver training can range from $2,500–$5,000 for community colleges and $4,000–$10,000 for private CDL schools.13 However, there are a number of additional costs you may need to take into account, including application fees, commercial driving tests, medical exams, equipment rentals, endorsements, and more. Depending on your school, some or all of these costs may be included in the tuition, and all combined, the total cost can range from less than $4,000 to more than $10,000.
- Workforce grants. First, you may want to look into government-sponsored programs that provide grants for technical training schools, covering partial or full tuition. Contact your school to learn if they’re eligible for any of these grants.
- GI Bill. If you’re eligible for veteran benefits, you may also be able to pay for your CDL education through the GI Bill®, which can cover up to full tuition for military personnel and veterans. You can find VA-approved schools by using their search tool.
- Employer sponsorship. With this method, carriers will pay all or part of a student’s tuition, in exchange for that student agreeing to work for the carrier for a certain amount of time after their training. It’s important to remember that, should you leave employment before the required timeline, you may be required to pay back the tuition that the employer covered.
- Loans. If you’re unable to pay the tuition out of pocket or through sponsorships or grants, you may also consider taking out a loan to break it up into smaller amounts. While most do not offer federal student loans, a school may provide private loan options. It’s important to remember, though, that should you choose this route, you’ll likely end up paying more in interest payments, and your credit score may be affected.
Tips for Choosing the Right California CDL School
- Location. Both where you want to live and what areas have the highest concentration of job prospects are important factors to consider. Additionally, if the school doesn’t have an on-campus testing facility, you’ll want to make sure there are DMV testing sites nearby.
- Automatic vs. manual training. When thinking about your career goals, you’ll also want to give attention to whether you’ll need to learn an automatic or a manual transmission. Keep in mind that learning only on automatic will place a restriction on your license, so you can only work with that type of vehicle. After all, you don’t want to enroll in an automatic program only to find that all of your job prospects require training manual transmissions.
- Carrier Partnerships. Many trucking schools across the U.S. have partnerships with one or more local carriers. Take a look to see if your prospective schools work with any hiring partners, as well as if these companies are ones you would want to be employed by.
- Class size. Time spent on behind-the-wheel training in addition to classroom instruction is crucial to your CDL education. This is why it can be beneficial to find a school with a low number of students compared to available trucks, so you can have more opportunities to practice driving with experienced instructors as opposed to waiting around for your classmates to have their turns.
- Schedule flexibility. Finally, while some may be able to commit to a full-time program, others have existing work or family obligations that require a more flexible schedule. When researching schools, think about if you’d rather enroll in a full-time course over a shorter period of time, or a part-time course that spans a longer period.
CDL Training California: FAQs
How long is CDL school in California?
Program lengths will vary by school. However, a typical full-time CDL course can be completed in a few short weeks, while part-time programs can extend up to a few months.
How strict is California’s DMV test?
California’s examination is relatively strict. It consists of three parts: pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-the-road driving. No notes may be used, and there are many infractions that result in an automatic failure.14
Do California schools offer bilingual instruction?
Yes, many schools in California provide instruction in multiple languages. Reach out to your school to learn more about what they offer.
Are automatic-only CDLs a problem in California?
A license for an automatic transmission will restrict the number of driving jobs you’re qualified for. In order to increase your job prospects as a first-time CDL applicant, you may want to look for schools that offer manual training programs, and if you currently have an automatic restriction, there are many schools that offer automatic restriction removal courses.
Take the Next Steps and Get Hands-On Training for Your CDL
As you can see, getting your CDL in California can be challenging, but exciting. If you think this career could be the right one for you, it’s time to take the next steps in preparing for the CLP exam, researching schools, and choosing one that will help you get fully prepared for your new career.
Sources
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
3https://hideserttruckingschool.com/about
5https://www.premiertruckdrivingschool.com/
6https://hbdrivertraining.com/about
7https://www.160drivingacademy.com/
8https://rightlanetruckingschool.com/
9https://www.domestictruckdrivingschool.com/about-us/why-choose-us/
10https://internationaltruckdrivingschool.com/services/
11https://agttruckingschool.com/about/
12https://masterstruckingacademy.com/prospective-students/why-choose-us/
13https://www.cdlexpert.com/post/how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-a-cdl-in-california
