When it comes to getting your commercial driver’s license (CDL), Utah is a viable location for those looking to enter a career in the trucking industry. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks Utah as the state with the 16th-highest median salary of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers at $59,580—higher than the national median across all industries of $49,500.1 And in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area in particular, the median pay is even higher at $62,160.
This, combined with the presence of several major carriers and three major freight corridors (I-15, I-80, and I-70), means that Utah could be a prime location for those looking to obtain their commercial driver’s license. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top CDL schools, typical costs of getting your CDL, and licensing requirements. Read on to learn more!
Criteria for Ranking Utah CDL Schools
When compiling our list of top CDL schools in Utah, we took into account several factors, including FMCSA approval, driving hours, tuition and financial aid options, job placement services, access to equipment, and class size.
Best CDL Training Programs in Utah
All information has been gathered from school websites as of December 2025.
CDL Training Centers
With a wide variety of courses, including their full training program, CDL Training Centers aims to help their students start careers with confidence. They do this through hands-on training and job placement services with partner carriers.2
Location: Ogden, UT
Tuition: Varies by course, with full training program at $5,500
Program length: Three–four weeks for full program
Endorsements: Doubles/Triples, HAZMAT, Tanker
Graduation/job placement: Collaborates with over twenty truck driving companies to place students after graduation
Mountain West CDL School
According to Mountain West CDL School’s website, their job placement service boasts a 95% success rate.3 This helps to further their mission of preparing students for successful careers on the open road.
Location: Salt Lake City and South Ogden, UT
Tuition: Contact admissions
Program length: Four weeks
Endorsements: N/A
Graduation/job placement: Partners with carriers for placement services
The Trucking School
As an all-inclusive institution, The Trucking School offers not only morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend courses across a variety of licenses and endorsements.4 They also schedule and prep you for the CDL examination.
Location: Spanish Fork, UT
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $1,800
Program length: Varies by course, ranging from one day to three weeks
Endorsements: HAZMAT, and more
Graduation/job placement: Job board available for graduates
Utah Truck Driving School
On their website, Utah Truck Driving School emphasizes their commitment to a high-tech education customized to each individual learner.5 They also work closely with both local and national companies to help graduates find employment immediately after their training.
Location: West Valley City, UT
Tuition: Contact admission
Program length: 3–4 weeks
Endorsements: N/A
Graduation/job placement: Partners with trucking companies to help graduates find employment
CDL Now
At CDL Now, all training is done one-on-one, so you won’t have to wait for classmates to finish before you get a chance behind the wheel.6 They also offer an extensive range of available programs, in addition to hourly training and on-site exams.
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Tuition: Varies by course, with bundles ranging from $2,000–$5,550
Program length: Flexible scheduling varies by course
Endorsements: Passenger, School Bus
Graduation/job placement: N/A
Apex CDL
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.7
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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.8 They also provide access to their network of employer partners, from the first day to program completion and beyond.
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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
Uintah Basin Technical College
UBTech offers, among their variety of vocational training, Class A, Class B, and Advanced Energy Transportation. They also include their “Workforce Promise” a commitment between students, employers, and UBTech.9
Location: Ballard, Utah
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $1,350
Program length: Varies by course
Endorsements: HAZMAT
Graduation/job placement: Career assistance provided
Freedom Truck Driving School
The mission of Freedom Truck Driving School is to “ensure that our students are well-trained and equipped for a successful career in the transportation industry.”10 They offer flexible scheduling and payment options for both Class A and Class B CDLs.
Location: Lehi, UT
Tuition: Varies by course, starting at $3,000
Program length: Varies by course, ranging from a few weeks to several months
Endorsements: N/A
Graduation/job placement: N/A
Utah Commercial Driver’s License Requirements
Before you can start operating a commercial motor vehicle, though, there are several regulations you must satisfy. Each state will have their own list of what’s required, but for the state of Utah you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold a regular Class D driver license, from any state or country, for a minimum of one year
- Undergo a medical examination to receive a Department of Transportation Medical Certificate (MEC or DOT Card)
- Complete the Utah self-certification form when submitting your CDL application
- Complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) for your preferred CDL class (and/or endorsements, if applicable). You can find a list of ELDT-qualified schools at the Training Provider Registry website
- Pass your skills test, which includes both a written and driven portion
- If you’re pursuing a HAZMAT (H) endorsement, you must also undergo a background check that is renewed every five years.
Cost of Commercial Driver’s License Classes in Utah
The cost of training varies widely depending on program, specialization, length, and more, but in general it can range from $3,000 to $10,000.11 However, there are several other payments to take into account. In order to pass your Utah CDL test, you must submit an application fee of $52, as well as $9 for any additional endorsements, a testing fee of $78, and more.12
You may also need to pay for housing or equipment, but depending on your school, this may be included in your tuition price. There are also a number of ways to help pay for school:
- Carrier 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.
- Workforce grants. You may also 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.
- 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.
How to Choose the Best Truck Driving Program for You
- Behind-the-wheel vs. classroom instruction. When it comes to strengthening your skills and increasing your desirability, practice is key. When comparing programs, make sure a sufficient amount of time is allotted to driving on the road or in a lot, and that the student-to-instructor ratio is small enough so that you’ll get a chance to practice yourself outside of just classroom training.
- Career goals. Depending on the kind of driving you want to do, as well as the jobs available in your area, you’ll need to find a school that will give you the relevant training. Do you want to focus on local, regional, or over-the-road (long-haul) driving? What type of vehicle do you want to work with? This will determine whether you pursue a Class A, B, or C license, as well as any endorsements you may need to pursue.
- 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.
- Student support services. The most reputable schools also include robust career services for their students and graduates. This can include job fairs, workshops, and even job placement services through employer partnerships. Take a look at what each school offers, as well as how long you’ll have access to each service.
CDL Training Utah: FAQs
How many weeks is CDL school in Utah?
Program lengths will vary by school, but a typical full-time CDL course can be completed in just a few weeks. Meanwhile, part-time programs could extend up to a few months.
Can I train for Class B instead of A?
Whether you train for Class A, B, or even C will depend on what type of driving you want to do. Class B will enable you to operate straight trucks, large and segmented buses, box trucks, dump trucks with small trailers, and some Class C vehicles with the correct endorsements. Meanwhile, Class A is required for tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, tanker vehicles, livestock carriers, and flatbeds, and can also be used for most Class B and C vehicles depending on endorsement requirements.
Does Utah allow online CDL theory classes?
Yes, many schools in Utah offer online versions of their theory portions.
Next Steps
As we’ve seen Utah is a viable choice for people looking to enter the truck driving industry, with its high demand for skilled CDL professionals. If you think this is the right path for you, it’s time to take the next steps of researching and choosing a program and preparing for your commercial learner’s permit exam.
Sources
2https://cdltrainingcenters.com/about-us/
4https://the-trucking-school.com/training/
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5https://www.utahtruckdrivingschool.com/about-us
8https://www.premiertruckdrivingschool.com/
9https://ubtech.edu/workforcepromise/
10https://freedomtruckdrivingschools.com/
