You’ve come to the right place if you’ve been wondering “how long is truck driving school”, but you should be aware that there isn’t a single, straightforward answer.
Depending on the class you take, the program’s duration varies. It can take as little as 3-5 months or as long as 6 months to become a truck driver.
Keep reading.
How Long is Truck Driving School?
How long is truck driving school and how long will the training period last is one of the most frequent queries people have when looking into a new career in the trucking industry. There isn’t a single straightforward solution, in the end. Several different factors will affect how long truck driving school lasts. The first consideration is whether you’re aiming for a Class A, Class B, or Class C license.
Class a CDL
A Class A CDL, arguably the most flexible CDL available, entitles the holder to drive a vehicle weighing 26,001 pounds or more as long as the vehicle or vehicles being towed weigh more than 10,000 pounds. You can drive across state lines with a Class A CDL, in contrast to the Class B or Class C CDL.
Because it enables you to haul more miles annually, this level of mobility is highly preferred by both new and seasoned CDL drivers. This might ultimately lead to increased compensation and benefits. Being able to drive the majority of the vehicles that Class B and Class C CDL drivers are permitted to operate makes Class A CDLs more accessible to a wider range of businesses.
The Truck Driver Institute is one of many courses that provide instruction for a class A license. Although you can opt for a school that takes several months, TDI’s training program can be completed in just 3 weeks. Make sure the program will get you ready for the written and practical portions of the CDL test when choosing a truck driving school.
The 15-day intensive program at TDI was developed by seasoned, qualified truck drivers, and it is continuously updated. The training course consists of in-classroom instruction from an experienced instructor, practical instruction on an off-road driving range, and on-the-road driving instruction from the TDI team.
We at TDI understand the value of driving instruction. It goes without saying that getting behind the wheel of a large truck is the only effective way to learn how to drive one. So, if lectures aren’t really your thing, TDI’s program puts you in the driver’s seat of the machinery you’ll use on the job, as opposed to other schools, which put you in the driver’s seat of a simulator.
Class B CDL
When compared to a Class A license, a Class B CDL allows a driver to transport smaller loads. The GVWR of the vehicle, or trucks carrying hazardous materials, determines which class of CDL is needed—class A, B, or C. A Class B CDL is necessary for any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or for any vehicle towing no more than 10,000 pounds.
But it should be noted that some vehicles do need additional instruction and licenses to operate. These vehicles include but aren’t limited to:
- Hazmat vehicles
- Passenger vans
- Busses
- Other fluid trucks or tankers
Because of this, the length of Class B CDL training varies depending on your career objectives. A Class B CDL license is typically obtained by individuals in order to fulfill the requirements of a job or position they already hold.
The amount of time needed for Class B truck driving schools will vary depending on the specific training program and the state you reside in. The truck driving school would last longer because some states require more driving hours than others. Ask your local DMV for advice if you’re not sure which program to select.
Class C CDL
For vehicles that do not fall under a Class A or B license, transport 16 or more passengers, or carry hazardous materials, a Class C CDL is necessary. Depending on the type of vehicle, Class C CDLs need additional endorsements. For instance, a school bus endorsement is necessary in order to operate a school bus. A hazmat endorsement is also needed in order to transport hazardous materials.
The length of truck driving school for a Class C CDL will differ, much like it did for the Class B CDL.
Like Class B CDLs, the time it takes to complete a Class C program will vary depending on your state’s requirements, your intended use for your CDL, and the school you choose.
What Tests Are Required for the CDL Exam?
You should be prepared to take the CDL exam with confidence thanks to your CDL training. As you prepare for this exam, here are the qualifications you’ll need to meet:
- An examination by the Department of Transportation verifies your physical fitness for truck driving.
- Driving history: While a DUI or speeding ticket may not prevent you from earning a CDL, they are important considerations when applying for jobs after graduation.
- Criminal background check: If you have a felony conviction, some trucking companies may not hire you, but you may still be able to get your CDL and drive for a living.
- Knowledge test: The Theory exam covers approximately 35 topics that you learned about during your Roadmasters classroom instruction. You must pass the Commercial Learner Permit knowledge test before moving on to the practical skill training.
- Show off your prowess in driving, backing, and turning during the CDL Skills Test. To be eligible for a CDL, applicants must pass the CDL Skills Test and demonstrate their ability to perform a number of necessary hands-on tasks.
Factors That Affect How Long Truck Driving School is
The length of time it takes to complete truck driving school depends on a number of variables. See some of the most typical things to think about below.
- The amount of required driving time in your state. State regulations for commercial drivers can be a little confusing, so you should take this into account before enrolling in a truck driving school in your area.
- The hours of classroom instruction provided by the course. We offer both classroom and driving time to adequately prepare students to pass the CDL exam. Compared to other schools that require longer, TDI’s CDL program is completed in just three weeks. For you to fully grasp the ins and outs of what it takes to become a professional driver, TDI guarantees both classroom and driving time.
- Whether or not the program is an authorized third party CDL administrator. If they’re not, you’ll need to schedule a time to take the CDL exam at a government office or other accredited CDL testing facility. A CDL test can be taken on-site at TDI. This means that even though we are a private company, you can pass your exam there, on our closed course, and while traveling. Because you don’t need to go through additional hoops to get certified once you’ve finished your training, you end up saving time.
- Whether or not you choose to attend a program that is full time or part-time. The duration of the program may be significantly impacted by this. Full-time employment would be the most advantageous choice if you want to obtain your CDL as quickly as possible. It’s important to note that TDI offers complete on-campus lodging at each of our schools if you’re concerned about the commute. People who don’t live right around the corner from us can now easily obtain their CDL on a full-time schedule.
- The endorsements you choose to test for. These could be a passenger transport endorsement, a hazardous materials endorsement, a school bus endorsement, or something else. Your professional objectives and your intended use of your CDL license will have a bigger impact on this choice.
Truck Driver Skills
Before you go into the trucking industry, there are few truck driver skills you should know.
Patterns
Put your patterns in writing. List the daily activities you engage in from awakening to falling asleep. Make a list right away, and be sincere with yourself. Count the amount of dead time left now. Note your time wasters as well as your daily routines. Next, indicate how much money you are earning next to that. You should be aware that your routines will change once you enter the truck driving business. The time commitment that comes with being a truck driver must be something you can handle. Be aware that you’ll need to get up early every day to drive a truck in the winter, whether it’s raining or not.
Mind Training
The capacity to train one’s brain is another ability a truck driver must possess. Develop the ability to think in the present. You won’t finish it if you add more things that will happen the following week or tomorrow. In the here and now, take care of everything.
Physical Health
Your physical health needs to be improved. Keep in mind that driving a truck requires you to spend the entire day seated in a vehicle. Change your way of life to continue driving a truck while maintaining your physical health.
Dependability
Make sure you keep your word if you say you’ll deliver a package at a specific time. One of the most vital skills a truck driver could possess is this one. The value of your other abilities is negated if you lack dependability. People need to be able to depend on you to drive the truck safely especially when truck driving in the winter.
Summary: How Long is Truck Driving School?
So how long is truck driving school? The answer varies depending on your state, school, and employer:
- States: Each state has its own CDL manual, so a prospective truck driver in California might need to finish more or less in school than one in Missouri, Vermont, Florida, etc.
- Schools: To accommodate varying schedules, schools run in different ways. For instance, some schools operate on a weekend-only schedule to make it easier for students to attend who work during the week. These programs will, however, naturally run for a longer period of time. The training process is sped up by other schools’ availability of weekday sessions.
- Employers: In terms of how much training their employees need, businesses all over the nation have different requirements. While some businesses demand 120 hours, others demand 160.
However, since many employers demand 120 or 160 hours of training, truck driving school typically lasts just three to four weeks. That is all, I’m sorry! All you need is three to four weeks. There will be a lot to learn in that busy month, but you can learn everything you need to know to get your CDL.
Feel free to post a comment if you have any queries. For reading, I’m grateful.