How much does it cost to get a CDL?
It costs about $4,680 to $6,000 to get a Class A CDL through a public college program, based on the published prices of the programs below; a Class B course costs less ($5,000 at Cuyahoga Community College).[s_gaston][s_alamo][s_tric] Most of the price is behind-the-wheel time on a training truck. On top of the course you pay your state for the learner’s permit, the skills test and the license itself; North Carolina’s permit and license fees, which Gaston College lists, are $77 and $127.50.[s_gaston]
| Program | Class | Length | Price | What the price covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston College (NC), TRP-3607[s_gaston] | Class A | 160 h (50 classroom/online + 110 behind the wheel) | $4,680 | Tuition, DOT physical, drug screen, skills exam; NC permit ($77) and license ($127.50) extra |
| Alamo Colleges (TX)[s_alamo] | Class A | 160 contact hours, 1–2 months | $5,500 | Tuition |
| Cuyahoga Community College (OH)[s_tric] | Class A | 160 h | $6,000 | $5,800 tuition + $200 admin and testing fees |
| Cuyahoga Community College (OH)[s_tric] | Class B | 120 h | $5,000 | $4,800 tuition + $200 fees |
Private truck-driving schools and carrier-paid training also exist. Carrier programs often lower the upfront price in exchange for a work commitment; read the repayment terms before you sign. We list only prices that a public institution publishes.
CDL training cost and the ELDT rule
CDL training is required, not optional, for most new drivers: anyone getting a first Class A or B license, upgrading from B to A, or adding a school bus, passenger or hazmat endorsement must complete entry-level driver training (ELDT) from a provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry.[eldt609][fmcsa_eldt] The rule applies to learner’s permits issued on or after February 7, 2022, it is not retroactive for drivers licensed before then, and the theory and behind-the-wheel parts must be finished within a year of starting.[eldt603][fmcsa_eldt] That is why a cheap course that is not on the registry is no bargain.
Steps and timeline to a CDL
- Get a commercial learner’s permit (CLP). You must be at least 18; the permit is valid for no more than one year.[cfr383_71][cfr383_25]
- Finish ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel training with a registered provider; the courses above run 120–160 hours, about 1 to 2 months full-time.[eldt609][s_alamo]
- Wait at least 14 days after the permit is issued before the skills test.[cfr383_25]
- Pass the skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic control, road test) and pay the license fee.
- Drive interstate at 21 or older. Federal rules set 21 as the minimum age for interstate commercial drivers.[cfr391]
BLS describes truck-driving school as lasting between 3 and 6 months, longer than the full-time college courses above, because many programs run part-time or add extra endorsements.[ooh_truck]
Is a CDL worth the cost?
Heavy and tractor-trailer drivers earn a median of $58,640 a year, and even the 25th percentile is $47,960 ($23.06).[onet_truck] BLS projects about 214,500 openings a year for heavy truck drivers from 2025 to 2035.[ooh_truck] At those wages, a $5,500 course is usually repaid within the first year of driving if the new job pays more than your current one; use the calculator at the top with your own numbers. Pay by state is on truck driver salary; if you prefer repairing trucks, see diesel mechanic salary. Other training costs: welding school cost and HVAC school cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get a CDL?
About $4,680 to $6,000 for a Class A course at the public colleges we checked, plus state permit, test and license fees. Class B courses cost less.
How much does trucking school cost?
Public college Class A programs publish prices of $4,680 (Gaston College, NC), $5,500 (Alamo Colleges, TX) and $6,000 (Cuyahoga Community College, OH) for about 160 hours of training.
Can I get a CDL without going to school?
Not for a first Class A or B license. Since February 7, 2022, you must complete entry-level driver training from a provider on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before the skills test.
How long does it take to get a CDL?
A full-time 160-hour course takes about 1 to 2 months, and you must hold your learner’s permit at least 14 days before the skills test.
Sources
- Truck Driver Training (CDL), TRP-3607: 160 hours, $4,680 course cost
- Commercial Driver’s License program: Class A $5,500 tuition, 160 contact hours, 1–2 months
- CDL program: Class A 160 hours $6,000; Class B 120 hours $5,000
- 49 CFR 380.609, Entry-level driver training: training from a provider on the Training Provider Registry
- 49 CFR 380.603, Applicability: CLPs obtained on or after February 7, 2022; one-year completion window
- Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT): regulations not retroactive; Training Provider Registry
- 49 CFR 383.71, Driver application and certification procedures (CLP at 18 or older)
- 49 CFR 383.25, Commercial learner’s permit (14-day wait before the skills test; valid up to one year)
- 49 CFR 391.11, General qualifications of drivers (at least 21 years old)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (truck driving school 3–6 months)
- Local Wages: 53-3032.00 Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (state and metro percentiles)