Comparative Lists of CDL Training Programs
Below are three separate ranked lists of in-person Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training programs in the U.S., categorized by Private CDL Schools, Community College Programs, and Company-Sponsored Training. Each list is ordered from least to most expensive based on total estimated cost (tuition, fees, housing, etc.). All programs listed prepare students for CDL Class A unless noted, with some also offering Class B training. (CDL Class C – for smaller hazmat or passenger vehicles – typically does not require a dedicated full-length program; drivers with Class A or B can operate Class C vehicles with proper endorsements.)
1. Private CDL Training Schools (Independent)
These are privately run truck driving schools that offer in-person CDL training (primarily Class A, with Class B options in some cases). They generally have fixed tuition prices. Total cost includes tuition and standard fees; most private schools do not include housing, so students arrange lodging if needed (costs vary by location). Programs are ranked by total estimated student cost, from lowest to highest:
| School / Program | Location (City, State) | Tuition | Total Cost (est.) | Program Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Trucking School | Red Bluff, CA | $2,450 (course) + $1,300 truck fee | ~$3,750 (plus ~$270 in permit, drug test, etc.) | Class A & B CDL, 4-week accelerated program. A compact 40-hour course covering Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements with 20 hours one-on-one driving and 20 hours classroom . Students obtain Class A or B certification quickly; must pay DOT physical, drug screen, and permit fees (~$250) out-of-pocket . Housing is not provided given the short duration. |
| 160 Driving Academy | Renton, WA (nationwide) | $4,995 | $5,395 (tuition + fees) | Class A CDL, 4-week program. A national private academy offering 160 hours of training (120 hrs behind-the-wheel + 40 hrs classroom) to prepare for Class A licensing . Tuition is ~$5k plus ~$400 in fees . Housing not included – students typically train near home or cover their own lodging. Financing and job placement assistance are available . |
| Smith & Solomon CDL Training | Linden, NJ (multiple NE locations) | $5,545 | $5,545 (all-inclusive) | Class A CDL, ~4–6 week course. Established truck driving school with 30+ years experience. The current cost is $5,545 with no hidden fees (covers 160 hours of training; extra practice time provided until students are road-test ready). Offers Class B training and passenger endorsement courses as well. Flexible scheduling (weekday or weekend classes) and lifetime job placement support are provided. |
| Roadmaster Drivers School | Tampa, FL (multiple sites) | $6,995 | $7,035 (incl. fees/materials) | Class A CDL, ~4 week program. A well-known private CDL school (now part of Werner Enterprises) with campuses nationwide. Tuition of $6,995 plus a $40 fee covers training materials and one CDL exam attempt . Additional costs (not in tuition) include DOT physical & drug screen ($110) and any lodging or travel expenses . Roadmaster offers financing options and partnerships with carriers that provide tuition reimbursement up to 100% for graduates . |
| All-State Career School | Lester, PA (Philadelphia area) | $10,200 | $10,200 (tuition only) | Class A CDL “Advanced Tractor-Trailer” program, ~6 months. A comprehensive diploma program (PTDI-certified) totaling ~240 training hours behind the wheel . High cost reflects extensive training length (6 months) and additional career preparation. Tuition is ~$10.2K ; financial aid and workforce grants may offset this. Housing and living expenses are not included. Graduates often have job placement assistance and are ready for entry-level driving positions upon completion. |
Sources: Cost and fee details are from official school catalogs and training program listings . Program descriptions verified via school websites and industry reviews .
2. Community College CDL Programs
Many community colleges and technical institutes offer in-person CDL training (often through continuing education or workforce divisions). These programs tend to be shorter (3–10 weeks) and lower-cost thanks to state subsidies, especially for in-state residents. All listed programs cover Class A CDL training; some colleges also run Class B courses or endorsements. Total cost below includes tuition and standard fees, and usually excludes personal expenses (housing, unless noted, and daily living costs). Ranked from cheapest to more costly:
| College Program | Location | Tuition | Total Cost (est.) | Program Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robeson CC – CDL Truck Driver | Lumberton, NC | $182 (in-state) | $1,012 (all-inclusive) | Class A CDL, 10-week (480 hr) academy. Ultra-low cost program at Robeson Community College. In-state tuition is only $182.60 and a $500 truck/lab fee ; total estimated $1,012 covers tuition, truck use, books, NC DOT physical, drug screen, permit, and DMV fees . Training includes classroom, range, and highway driving, preparing students for the NC CDL Skills Exam . Note: No housing or meals provided (students commute). This low-cost offering is supported by state workforce funding. |
| Florida State College – CVD Program | Jacksonville, FL | ~$2,300 (career cert) | ~$2,300 (in-state total) | Class A Commercial Vehicle Driving (320 hr, 8 week course). A career-certificate program at FSCJ’s commercial truck driving institute. Total program cost is about $2,300 for Florida residents , covering 320 hours of training (classroom and behind-the-wheel) and including test attempts. The college provides modern equipment and even a driving pad for on-site CDL testing . Housing: none (new Nassau Center location serves local region) . Graduates are job-ready for entry-level truck driving positions. |
| Tri-County Community College – CDL | Murphy, NC | N/A (cont. ed. fee) | $2,810 (total course fee) | Class A CDL, 4–5 week course. A North Carolina community college program offered through continuing education. The total cost is $2,810 (no-credit course fee) , typically covering instruction, training materials, and use of trucks. Students pay a $1,210 deposit at registration and the remainder in installments . Fees usually include some testing attempts; students separately handle personal expenses (physical, meals, etc.). Tri-County’s program provides the required ELDT theory, range practice, and road driving to prepare for the CDL exam. |
| Gadsden State CC – Truck Driving | Gadsden, AL | $4,500 | ~$4,700 (with fees) | Class A CDL, 6-week (240 hr) program. A full-time truck driver training course at Gadsden State. Tuition is $4,500 , and students must also cover minor fees: MVR ~$6–10, DOT physical & drug screen ~$100–150, permit $35, CDL license $66 . Total estimated around $4.7K. The 240-hour curriculum includes classroom instruction and extensive behind-the-wheel practice on campus. Housing: not included (students are local or commute). The program is WIOA-approved for those seeking workforce funding assistance . |
| Lake-Sumter State College – CDL | Sumterville, FL | $5,000 (Class A) $3,300 (Class B) | $5,000 (Class A course) | Commercial Vehicle Driving, 4 weeks (160 hrs). An accelerated training offered via Lake-Sumter’s Workforce program. The Class A course costs $5,000 (automatic transmission, 4 weeks) and they also offer a Class B course for $3,300 (manual, 2 weeks) . Tuition includes classroom ELDT theory, vehicle inspection, backing maneuvers, and road training with college equipment. Local career agencies and scholarships often help offset the cost . Housing: not provided (campus serves local students). Graduates earn a 160-hr certificate and are prepared for the Florida CDL skills test. |
Sources: Community college costs are from official college websites and catalogs . These programs are typically shorter and subsidized, e.g., Robeson CC’s total is only ~$1K . Higher-cost examples (Gadsden, Lake-Sumter) reflect out-of-state or extended programs . All listed programs meet FMCSA’s ELDT requirements and provide the training needed for Class A (with some offering Class B options).
3. Company-Sponsored CDL Training
Company-sponsored programs are run or financed by trucking companies to train new drivers on the condition of a work commitment. These Class A CDL programs often have little to no upfront tuition, with costs covered by the company if you stay employed for a set period. We rank them by the effective total cost to the trainee (assuming the employment commitment is fulfilled). Generally, these require signing a contract (around 9–15 months) instead of paying tuition. We include major carriers’ training offers, from lowest to highest cost:
| Company Program | Training Location | Tuition | Total Cost (Trainee) | Program Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRST – Company Sponsored | Cedar Rapids, IA | $0 (with 10-mo. contract) $6,500 if contract broken | Minimal – $0 tuition; ~$0 upfront(Housing: $40/week x6 wks) | Contract CDL Training (3–4 weeks). CRST’s program covers Class A CDL training at no tuition cost for students who agree to drive for CRST for 10 months . Housing is provided during school, with a small deduction (~$40/week for dorm lodging, ~6 weeks total ≈ $240) . Weekday breakfast and lunch are included as well . There are no payroll deductions for tuition; instead, new drivers start at a slightly lower mileage pay rate during the contract period . If one leaves before 10 months, the full tuition of $6,500 becomes due . Successful graduates transition to team-driving with CRST after obtaining the CDL. |
| Prime Inc. – PSD Program | Springfield, MO (HQ) | $0 tuition (1-yr contract) $4,375 if <1 yr | Minimal – $155 upfront fees (Company covers lodging & meals) | Prime Student Driver (PSD) Program, ~4 weeks. Prime’s sponsored training has no tuition cost as long as you drive for Prime for 12 months . Trainees pay only $155 in upfront fees ($100 administrative + $55 permit) . Prime covers transportation to training, hotel lodging, and 3 meals/day during orientation . During CDL instruction, trainees can receive a small weekly advance ($200) for food, which is later repaid at $25/week once employed . The total training value ($4,375) is fully forgiven after 1 year with the company . Students train one-on-one with a Prime instructor and are paid a stipend once they obtain their CDL and continue with on-the-road team training . |
| Swift Transportation – Academy | Phoenix, AZ (and multiple sites) | $0 upfront (financed) $6,000 if leave early (reimbursed if stay) | Low – ~$0 net if 1+ year employed (Lodging: $750 financed) | Swift Academy, 3-week CDL training. Swift offers tuition-assistance training with no upfront cost; the $6,000 tuition is paid via payroll deduction over 52 weeks and then reimbursed over the next 104 weeks for drivers who stay on . In practice, a driver who remains with Swift for at least 1 year has the full $6,000 cost reimbursed (making the training effectively free). Swift does not require a formal contract, but trainees sign a financial agreement. Housing: provided in dorm-style or motel rooms, costing $750 (deducted in installments of $34/week for 22 weeks) . Meals are not included, so students must buy their food . Transportation to the academy and books are covered for those who commit . After earning the CDL, graduates are hired by Swift and drive OTR with a mentor; no tuition repayment is required beyond the one-year mark (the company calls it tuition reimbursement rather than a penalty) . |
| Roehl Transport – “Get Your CDL” | Marshfield, WI (and others) | $0 tuition (15-mo. commitment) $2,800 if leave early | Low – ~$660 upfront fees + lodging | Paid CDL Training, 3–4 weeks. Roehl’s program requires a 120,000-mile driving commitment (~15 months). No tuition is charged while employed; the $2,800 training cost is treated as a loan that is forgiven once 120k miles are completed (no payroll deduction at all during the commitment) . Upfront, students pay about $660 in fees: $100 registration, $85 test fee, ~$100 permit, and lodging ~$375 for the course duration . (Roehl does not provide free housing; they arrange discounted motel accommodations at ~$375 total .) Trainees earn a modest salary during the 3-week CDL training (about $616/week) . After obtaining the CDL, drivers start at full pay and no tuition repayment is ever deducted as long as the 120,000 miles are met . Those who leave early owe the prorated remainder of the $2,800 (e.g. $5,000 if quit immediately, or lesser if some miles driven) . |
| C.R. England – Premier Driving | Salt Lake City, UT (HQ) | $2,995 (financed, w/ 9-mo. contract) $1,995 if paid upfront | Moderate – ~$0 upfront; ~$3,000 via payroll (no forgiveness) | Company CDL School, ~17-day course. C.R. England’s training requires a 9-month driving contract. Upfront, students pay only a $50 admin fee plus permit and physical (~$80) – roughly $130 total . Tuition is $2,995 and is typically financed through payroll deduction (at 18% interest) over about 6–9 months . Lodging is included in the tuition (dorm-style housing provided at no extra charge) , but students cover their own meals during training . Unlike some programs, C.R. England does not forgive the tuition after a year – you will repay the $2,995 through paycheck deductions regardless (though they offer a $1,000 reimbursement after 3 years of service) . Trainees who choose to pay the full $1,995 upfront (discounted) have no further obligation . The training lasts ~15–20 days and includes permit prep, range, and road driving. Graduates are hired into C.R. England’s fleet (often as team drivers for their first assignments). |
Sources: Details are drawn from company websites and reputable industry sources. For example, CRST’s program is contract-based with no tuition deductions (10 mo. obligation) , while Prime’s PSD requires only $155 upfront and covers lodging/meals, forgiving the ~$4.3K cost after 1 year . Swift’s official info indicates a $6,000 tuition repaid over one year and reimbursed by year two , and CR England’s training agreement finances $2,995 at 18% interest with lodging included . Roehl’s program is unique in not deducting tuition at all; the $2,800 is canceled after ~12 months of driving . These programs illustrate the trade-off between upfront costs and post-training commitments in company-sponsored CDL training.
