How Long Does Truck Driver Training Take?
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Class-A CDL truck driver training can take as few as 3 to 6 weeks to complete. But, your CDL program may take up to 3 months depending on your school and its scheduling options. Some more advanced CDL training programs may take longer.
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Class-A CDL Training in 3-6 Weeks
Unlike other skilled trades or certification programs, Class-A CDL training does not take several months or even years to complete. In fact, if you’re willing to take a full-time training course that runs 5 days a week, you can obtain your license and be ready for a trucking job in as few as 3-6 weeks.
These 3-6 week programs require a full-time commitment, however. Anyone looking to get his or her tractor trailer driver's license in such a short period of time will likely need to train for about forty hours per week. This heavy time commitment may be difficult for some people, especially if they have other commitments, like a job or family obligations.
Class-A CDL Training in About 3 Months
Fortunately, many CDL schools will work with you if you do have a current job or other obligations. Your training will be longer than 3-6 weeks, but if you are able to, you can still obtain your license in 3 months or less.
The duration of your CDL program is not measured in days, but rather by hours of training. Every school has different requirements for minimum hours necessary to complete their program, but most of our partner schools typically require 160 hours of training to obtain your Class-A CDL.
How Long is Class-B CDL Training?
If you choose to pursue your Class-B CDL, your training will likely be faster and less expensive. Some Class-B CDL training programs allow drivers to be career-ready in as few a 7 days up to 3 weeks. But again, drivers with a Class-B CDL will not have as many high-paying opportunities as a driver with a Class-A.
The Class-B CDL is the second heaviest weight class, with commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) weighing more than 26,001 pounds and trailers weighing less than 10,000 pounds.
Sample CDL Programs
Here are some examples of partner schools with the real length of time their programs take.
All-State Career School - Class-A CDL training program length is 194 clock hours over 5 weeks; Class-B CDL training program length is 72 clock hours over 3 weeks. Multiple school locations listed on the school page.
Arbuckle Truck Driving School - Class-A CDL training program is about 2 months long. It has two school locations in Oklahoma.
CDL XPress - Offers a 3 or 4 week fast-track CDL training program at its school location in Indiana.
CRST Expedited - 4 week Class-A CDL training program at its school location in Iowa.
Dawn Career Institute - 4 week Class-A CDL training program at its school located in Delaware.
Smith & Solomon - Class-A CDL: Tractor Trailer Training - 160 hours; Class-B CDL: Straight Truck Training - 120 hours. Multiple school locations are listed on its page.
Midwest Technical Institute - Professional Truck Driving Program is 20 days/168 clock hours. School location in Missouri.
Roadmaster Drivers School - Offers 3 to 4 week hands-on CDL training programs. Many school locations listed on the school page including Florida and Texas.
HDS Truck Driving Institute - Class-A training in as few as 4 weeks with more extensive programs available at its school location in Arizona.
Salt Lake Driving Academy - The CDL training program consists of 160 hours of one-on-one instruction at its school located in Utah.
Yuma Truck Driving School - Class-A training at your own pace in as few as 4 weeks (full-time days). School located in Arizona.
US Truck Driver Training School - Its 160 hour CDL training program is designed to prepare students for the minimum entry-level requirements for obtaining their Class-A CDL license. School located in Michigan.
ProSkills Institute - With the advanced Class-A CDL driving program, you can earn your commercial driver's license and logistics certifications in just 18 weeks. School located in Ohio.
Explore more of our partner schools and find a CDL school near you.
CDL Training is Time Well Spent
In the end, how quickly you can obtain your Class-A CDL is really up to you — how much time you can spend and what your local school options are. The best thing you can do is find a quality school that will accommodate your needs, provide high quality training, and put you in the best position to move forward in your new career as a truck driver.
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