How to get a CDL: A guide to starting a career in truck driving

Key Takeaways

• A commercial driver’s license (CDL) opens doors to steady, high-demand work. Truck drivers are essential to the U.S. economy, and demand remains strong across local, regional, and long-haul routes.
  
• Choose between Class A and Class B licenses. Class A covers tractor-trailers and larger combination vehicles; Class B qualifies you to drive heavy single-unit trucks and buses.
  
• Training includes classroom and road practice. You need to earn a learner’s permit, complete approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), and pass written and CDL skills tests.
  
• Endorsements boost earning potential. Specializations like hazardous materials, passenger, or tanker endorsements can expand your job options and increase pay.
  
• Financial aid and job placement options exist. Many programs offer grants, veteran benefits, or employer sponsorships to help new drivers start their careers.

Why a CDL is a valuable credential

If you’ve ever dreamed about hitting the open road, driving for miles, and getting paid for it, a career as a truck driver might be for you. In fact, more than 2 million people work as heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers as of May 2023, with nearly everything we buy—from food to electronics—being moved by truck at some point.¹ 

Adding to demand, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) reports the trucking industry faces a shortage of approximately 80,000 drivers as of late 2021, a number that decreased by only 2,000 in 2022.² This shows an increasing need for new commercial drivers, whether you want to stay local or take on regional or long-haul routes.

Truck drivers not only benefit from flexible route choices and adventure on the road, but they’re also eligible for steady wages and room for career growth. In 2024, the median annual salary for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $57,440 per year, or $27.62 per hour.³

If you want to pursue this career, you must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a formal process that demonstrates your ability to safely and legally operate large commercial vehicles.

You may seek a Class A CDL, which qualifies you to operate large combination vehicles, like tractor-trailers, or a Class B CDL, which trains you to drive heavy single-unit trucks or large buses. Regardless of which path you choose, you need to undergo training, pass a written knowledge test, and pass a hands-on skills test to demonstrate your driving ability. 

That said, with a bit of work, valid credentials, and commitment, obtaining a CDL is possible and can open doors to a long, fulfilling career on the road. 

How to obtain a CDL: Basic requirements

Drivers of commercial trucks or school buses need to meet a few baseline requirements before they take to the road. Determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the state licensing agency in the state where you’re becoming licensed, these regulations involve more than just passing a driving test.

Education and age requirements

Most states require prospective CDL holders to have a valid non-commercial driver’s license before applying for a CDL. Applicants also must be at least 18 years old to hold a CDL for intrastate driving (within the same state) and 21 years old for interstate driving (across state lines). Twenty-one years old is also the minimum age requirement for drivers who want to carry certain types of freight, like hazardous materials. 

Residency and citizenship

CDL hopefuls must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and be able to provide proof of both their identity and eligibility for Social Security. 

Medical and physical requirements

Operators of vehicles that weigh up to tens of thousands of pounds must be medically fit, and obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Form MCSA-5876) from a licensed medical examiner listed in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.⁴ 

This document reports on a patient’s vision (at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses), hearing (ability to perceive a forced whisper from five feet away), and general physical health markers like blood pressure.  

Driving record and background checks

A clean driving record is also important. While minor violations are often overlooked, serious infractions—such as DUIs, hit-and-runs, or reckless driving—can delay or prevent you from earning your CDL.

For those who apply for specific endorsements, such as the Hazardous Materials (“H”) endorsement, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires a full background check and fingerprinting.⁵

Steps and coursework to getting a CDL

Earning a CDL is a structured process designed to ensure drivers can safely operate a large truck or commercial vehicle. CDL students must go through each step below to build the knowledge and skills they’ll need on the road:

1. Obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP): First, learners need to secure a CLP by passing a knowledge test. This test asks questions about safety rules, regulations, and the type of vehicle the student plans to drive. Drivers also must meet Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards before moving forward.⁶
2. Classroom and behind-the-wheel training: CDL training has two main components:
   1. Classroom instruction covers road rules, safety regulations, cargo handling, and vehicle operation theory.
   2. Behind-the-wheel training allows students to practice operating a vehicle under the supervision of a licensed CDL holder. Drivers practice performing pre-trip inspections, driving on the highway and in the city, and basic maneuvers like backing up, turning, and parking. 
3. Knowledge and CDL skills tests: Once you finish your training, you’ll need to show what you’ve learned. First, a written test asks students multiple-choice questions about CDL rules and any endorsements. Fourteen days after passing this test and meeting all other training requirements, students can take the skills test, where they’ll be asked how to do a vehicle inspection, basic truck control, and handle real-world traffic situations. 

Students who fail any of these tests can retake them after a waiting period, which varies by state.

4. Endorsements for special vehicles: Drivers who want to apply for endorsements for special vehicles must complete additional tests, like the following.
   1. H: Hazardous materials, which also require a TSA background check, fingerprinting, and security vetting
   2. N: Tank vehicles
   3. P: Passenger vehicles like buses 
   4. X: Combination endorsement of both H and N, which only requires a knowledge test
   5. S: School bus endorsement that calls for a knowledge and skills test

How to complete CDL requirements

Earning a Class A or Class B CDL starts with finding the right training program, understanding what’s expected of you, and preparing for the whole process, from financial costs to exams. 

To get started on the right foot, here are a few things to keep in mind.

CDL Training options

CDL hopefuls have a few options for training programs, starting with community colleges. For example, Kirkwood Community College offers a Class A CDL program, which trains students on both manual and automatic trucks. There are also specialized trucking schools, like Diesel Driving Academy, which offer Class A CDL training.

Duration and expenses

Programs usually range from a few weeks to multiple months, depending on the type of CDL offered and the provider’s curriculum. Carroll Community College, for example, has a Class A CDL program that takes eight weeks to complete. 

Tuition also varies. Some cost as little as $1,000 while others cost up to $10,000. Be sure to look into what the cost covers. For instance, some only include training, while others might include a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical, drug screen, and skills test fees.

Financial aid 

Due to various ways to get a license, financial aid is an option. For example:

• The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides grants for students who have been laid off or are receiving unemployment benefits.
• The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers payment assistance for veterans undergoing CDL training or other activities. 
• Working students can also tap into employer sponsorships. Some trucking companies will reimburse your training costs if they hire you after you finish.
• Some states, like Ohio, offer grants to students, such as through the Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program.

Preparation tips

To pass the CDL exams, use the following tips to prepare:

• Rely on study materials like the CDL manual, which is available through each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• To test your knowledge, take a stab at different practice tests that can be found on websites like DMV.org. 
• To meet the ELDT standard, log and track the hours you complete as part of your behind-the-wheel training. 

CDL Frequently Asked Questions

Even with all the information listed above, you may still have questions about securing a CDL. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions.

Can I drive immediately after getting a CDL?

It depends on the state where you obtain your CDL. In many states, once you pass the skills test and the road test, you receive your CDL and you’re licensed to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). 

For example, the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles Commission (NJMVC) issues CDLs to all who pass their skills test. Those under the age of 21 might be restricted to driving only within the state where they’re licensed (i.e., intrastate driving). 

Before taking to the roads, some driving companies require new hires to complete on-the-job training, which might include practice hours behind the wheel. New CDL holders should speak with prospective employers for more details about their employment requirements. 

What endorsements should I choose, and how do they affect pay?

The endorsements you choose can open the door to more types of trucks and cargo you’re allowed to drive. Some of the most common ones include:

• H for hazardous materials
• N for tank vehicles
• P for passenger transport

Drivers with one or more of the endorsements mentioned above tend to earn more than drivers without these credentials. As an example, an entry-level driver with a Class A CDL can earn between $45,000 and $55,000 per year. Drivers with specialized endorsements can earn between $70,000 and $110,000 per year, or more.⁷

Your career goals will largely influence whether you decide to pursue endorsements, and, if so, which ones. If you’re satisfied driving trucks locally, you may only need a Class B CDL with minimal endorsements. But if you’d rather take long-haul trips in tractor-trailers, you may opt for a Class A CDL with endorsements, which will open you up to more opportunities and higher pay.

After training, what are the common job placement and retention rates?

Both job placement and retention rates vary greatly by program. From 2024 to 2034, research projects a 4% growth in employment for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, with about 237,600 openings each year.³ Some schools boast job placement rates as high as 96.3%.⁸ 

To get a better idea of your school’s rate, ask them how many graduates secure a job within the first three to six months, and how many are still driving after six to 12 months. 

As far as retention goes, other factors can determine these rates, including your driving record, safety performance, willingness to travel or be away from home, and the types of vehicle(s) you drive.

Next steps: How to get started on your CDL journey

When you’re ready to take the next steps toward obtaining your Class A CDL or Class B CDL, here are a few things to keep in mind as you get started: 

1. Check your state’s CDL requirements. 

Every state must adhere to federal CDL standards, which are outlined by the FMCSA. However, on a state level, there are different details to pay attention to, such as fees, schedules, and documentation. 

Future drivers should visit their state’s DMV or equivalent licensing agency, where they can also get information about the CDL process. States may have different requirements, like minimum age, acceptable forms of ID, and residency, and specifics about medical certificates and skills test scheduling.

2. Research training schools and weigh your options. 

Thorough research helps set expectations. Collect information and decide whether a school’s offerings align with your career ambitions and ideal work environment. For example, programs offered by community colleges, private CDL providers, or employer-sponsored programs differ in their teaching styles and schedules. 

For even more insight, ask about each program’s skills test pass rate, whether they offer job placement assistance, and whether they’re certified according to FMCSA ELDT standards. To double-check their affiliations, visit the FMCSA website.

3. Prepare all documents in advance. 

The next step to prepare for a CDL training program is to gather all the documents you’ll need for your application. For your CLP, you’ll need your proof of identity (i.e., a state-issued ID or passport), social security number, a medical examiner’s certificate to prove you meet physical and vision requirements, and proof of residency. 

4. Apply to a CDL program. 

Once you have checked your state’s requirements, thoroughly researched programs, and prepared the necessary documents, you’re ready to apply to your chosen program. 

Whether you’re aiming for a Class A CDL to drive long-haul tractor-trailers or a Class B CDL for shorter local routes, the demand for skilled commercial drivers in the U.S. is expected to stay strong. 

You can start your path into commercial driving by checking out the FMCSA’s training registry or visiting your local DMV.

Sources:

¹https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes533032.htm

²https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/ata-chief-economist-pegs-driver-shortage-historic-high 

³https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm 

⁴https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-medical-fitness-duty 

⁵https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement

⁶https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/Drivers/Applicability 

⁷https://www.cdlexpert.com/post/how-much-do-cdl-drivers-make

⁸https://www.truckingschool.com/job-placement