Is Getting a CDL Worth It?

If you’re considering a trucking career, the cost of going to CDL school is often the main obstacle for would-be truckers. Trucker’s training can be expensive, especially the private schools costing as much as $10,000. Considering the hefty price tag, and the time and effort it takes of pursuing a truck driving career, and some of the crap you deal with as a trucker, it’s still worth getting a CDL.

But for every driver it’s going to differ, however, for those who want to drive certain trucks, want to work for certain companies, or work in a particular industry, a CDL license will not only be a requirement, it’s worth going for.

So, depending on the field of work, and what you eventually want to do in the trucking industry, having the right license is going to pay off, even though it is going to take you some time to get it when you are just getting in to the field of work. These are reasons why you should get your CDL training.

Is it Hard to Get a CDL?

To get a CDL license is not hard. A CDL license is required to drive certain trucks like tractor trailers, and these larger trucks are nothing like a car, or even a heavy duty pick up truck. They are heavier, harder to maneuver, and they require maintenance.

The right school and right training is not only going to prepare you to pull the fleet, and learn to drive the truck, it’s also going to allow you to get the right training for the type of items you will be transporting.

Steps to Getting a CDL

Essentially, the steps to getting a CDL is as follows:

1. CDL Manual – Get a copy of your state’s CDL manual.
2. Determine the Right CDL – Determine which truck or vehicle you want to drive and get a license for. Note: You are required to complete entry-level driver training (ELDT) for certain CDLs and CDL endorsements: getting a class A or class B CDL for the first time; if you’re upgrading your existing class B to a class A; if you’re getting a school bus (S), passenger (P). or H endorsement (hazardous materials) for the first time.
3. Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) – Obtain your CLP – this permit allows you to practice driving the vehicle you want to get licensed for on public roads with a qualified CDL holder in the vehicle. Note: make sure you meet your state’s requirements, as well as any federal requirements.
4. Select CDL School – Complete the required ELDT training with a registered trainer. According to FMCSA, there is no requirement for you to complete the theory part of ELDT first before you apply for a CLP. You’ll get the mandatory ELDT training at a qualified CDL school. And beyond the ELDT, going to trucking school will give you valuable training and knowledge from veteran instructors. A good CDL school will also help you to obtain employment at trucking companies.
5. Get the CDL – Take and pass CDL skills test: 1) Vehicle inspection; 2) Basic Controls Test; and 3) Road Test. 

Getting your CDL will either be hard or easy based on selecting the right school, as well as making sure a trucking career is what you really want to do. If you find joy in driving trucks and find purpose in the work that you do, then your passion will pave the road for a successful trucking career.

Going to the best CDL training for you will also make the process of getting licensed as a trucker easy. Great schools offer comprehensive training, experienced instructors and job assistance. In other words, they will set you up for success.

Failing to get the right training and if your heart is not in it, then getting a CDL will be a difficult process.

Cost of Getting a CDL

The cost of getting a CDL or trucking school can vary depending on where you live, how long the training is, if you require endorsements, etc. We’ve seen trucking programs below $2,000 to as high as $10,000+. 

Examples of CDL Tuition Costs

School	Course Length (hours)	Tuition and Fees
HDS Truck Driving Institute	730	$7,900
National Tractor Trailer School	602	$10,200
Iowa Central Community College Transportation Technology Center	600	$6,300
Great Lakes Truck Driving School	600	$10,000
New England Tractor Trailer Training School - NETTTS	540	Contact School
Northern Industrial Training	480	$18,000
Commercial Driver Training	304	Contact School
Sage Technical Services	300	Contact School
Houston Community College Northeast Commercial Truck Driving Center	282	$3,375
College of Southern Maryland Center for Transportation Training	280	Contact School
International Trucking School	260	Contact School
Professional Drivers Academy	240	$5,500
Center for Employment Education	240	$8,500
American Truck Schools	240	Contact School
Des Moines Area Community College Transportation Institute	240	Contact School
Central Tech Transportation & Safety Education	210	$5,250
Heavy Metal Truck Training	200	$5,000
Continental Truck Driver Training & Education School	200	Contact School
Maines Driver Training Institute	200	Contact School
Napier Truck Driver Training	200	Contact School
Trans American Technical Institute	160*	$3,000
Interstate Truck Driving School	160*	$4,000
CDS Tractor Trailer Training	160*	$5,000
Vocational Training & Resource Center	160*	$5,000
Ozarks Technical Community College Transportation Training Institute	148*	$3,500
Katlaw Truck Driving Schools	140*	$3,200

If you’re cash strapped, there are financing options that are available in the way of federal and state grants, trucking scholarships, company-sponsored training, and loans either offered by trucking schools or through 3rd party.

Striking a balance between the quality of truck driving curriculum and tuition cost is ideal. We recommend to do your due diligence on the CDL school – talk to as many people in terms of what schools are good, read online reviews of the trucking programs, and it might be worth visiting the school and talking to the instructors, owners, as well as the school alumni.

Is CDL School Worth it?

If you want to get your Class A or B license, or if you want certain endorsements, you need to meet the ELDT requirements regulated by FMCSA. Registered training providers can give you the ELDT training that will teach you the minimum training criteria.

Knowing what type of CDL and vehicle you want to drive is important. Are you interested in transporting hazardous materials and waste? Does being on the road for long stretches interest you? Do you like the idea of being an essential truck driver where you get to deliver needed medical supplies and equipment?

Depending on the type of fleet you drive, the right training will prepare you to understand the movement of the truck, how it is going to feel, what you have to know for safety, and so forth.

What You Will Learn in CDL School?

CDL Test

The fact that you take practice exams, both driving and written. Therefore, if there are issues or areas of concern, your instructor is going to work with you on these areas prior to you going in to take the exam.

A CDL driving course will prepare you for what lies ahead when you go in to get your CDL license. Just like driver’s education or the training you do with a driving school to get your regular license to drive a car, this course is going to give you an advantage.

And, especially for those working with dangerous or flammable deliveries, you want the inside knowledge, as to how you can be safe, which you are going to learn when you get the right training.

CDL Benefits

If you’re still asking if it’s worth getting a CDL license, perhaps the following will convince you.

Salary of CDL Truckers vs. Non CDL

CDL truck drivers make more money than non CDL holders. New CDL drivers can make$17-$19 per hour vs. $8-$12 per hour for non CDL drivers. Experienced CDL drivers can make $19 – $50 per hour vs. $8-$12 per hour for non CDL drivers.

According to BLS, the median salary for heavy and tractor trailer drivers is around $48,310 or $23.23 per hour. Just a comparison, the median salary for passenger vehicle drivers which require no CDL is $37,540 or $18.05 per hour.

Job Opportunities for Truckers

CDL drivers have a greater chance to get jobs than those who have none. CDL holders can get endorsements and drive specialized vehicles that transport hazardous materials for example. Other career opportunities include:

• Owner operator
• Truck driver instructor
• Dump truck driver
• Car hauler
• Ice road trucker

Essential Workers

Given the importance of truck drivers, which was evident during the pandemic, you will always have a job. Truck drivers are essential to the national economy as they are responsible for transporting needed medical supplies, food, and other essential materials across the country.