Truck Driving Schools Directory
Browse 4,462 stored training-location listings across 51 jurisdictions: the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Find contacts, compare the instruction you need, and check the current provider registration and tuition before enrolling.
Key Takeaways
- Match the exact provider, training location and course on the official Training Provider Registry.
- 4,462 stored listings cover 51 jurisdictions: the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
- Class A/B and passenger/school bus ELDT include applicable theory and driving instruction; hazmat ELDT is theory only.
- Ask for total costs, individual driving time, test arrangements and written cancellation terms.
- School registration, course availability and job placement are separate questions.
Training guidance reviewed . Directory contacts and school availability require separate confirmation.
Before enrolling in a CDL program
Start with the license or endorsement you need. Match the provider name, training location and course on the official Training Provider Registry. Registered providers self-certify that they meet the requirements; a directory entry is not a government endorsement or a guarantee of an available place.
Ask for a complete tuition quote
- Separate tuition, permit and testing fees, medical examinations, retests, materials and any accommodation or travel costs.
- Check the deposit, cancellation and refund terms before paying.
- For employer-sponsored training, read the service commitment and repayment terms if you leave early.
- Confirm start dates, attendance rules and what happens if the class is delayed.
Check the actual instruction
- Ask which theory, range and public-road portions the location provides. A class label alone does not establish all three.
- Ask about individual driving time, class size, instructor access and the vehicle used for the skills test.
- Discuss manual versus automatic transmission and any resulting license restrictions with the licensing agency.
- Ask how completion will be reported and how to confirm that the required records are available before testing.
Which ELDT training applies?
| Credential | Training | Complete before |
|---|---|---|
| First Class A or B; B-to-A upgrade | Theory and behind-the-wheel | Applicable CDL skills test |
| First passenger or school bus endorsement | Applicable theory and behind-the-wheel | Endorsement skills test |
| First hazardous materials endorsement | Hazmat theory; no hazmat ELDT driving course | Hazmat knowledge test |
Federal ELDT uses proficiency requirements rather than a universal minimum number of training hours. The theory assessment requires at least 80%; behind-the-wheel completion depends on demonstrated proficiency. States may impose additional requirements. Theory can be taken before obtaining a learner’s permit; the permit and other applicable conditions are needed for behind-the-wheel training.
ELDT is not retroactive for a credential held before February 7, 2022. Upgrades and first endorsements can still trigger training. Check the applicable exemption and state licensing rules before assuming that prior driving experience removes the requirement.
Sources: FMCSA registry and self-certification; training by credential; training assessments and permit questions; ELDT applicability and exemptions.
What Is an ELDT-Registered Provider?
A registered provider self-certifies that it meets the applicable federal ELDT requirements. Registration covers the specific location and instruction listed; it does not mean that every school offers both theory and driving instruction for every credential. Use the official registry to check the course you need and contact the provider directly.
Theory and Practical Instruction
Theory Instruction
Classroom or online instruction follows the curriculum for the credential sought. The required theory assessment has an overall minimum passing score of 80%.
Behind-the-Wheel Training
Practical instruction applies to Class A/B and passenger/school bus ELDT, with the relevant curriculum and a proficiency assessment. Hazmat ELDT has no behind-the-wheel component. State requirements may add to the federal baseline.
Training Counts Only If the Provider Is Registered
How to Choose a CDL Truck Driving School
- Check current registration for the specific location and course you need.
- Compare total cost and what it includes — permit fees, testing, and endorsements are sometimes extra.
- Ask how much behind-the-wheel range and road time you actually get, not just the program length.
- Check which license classes and endorsements are offered (Class A, Class B, Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus).
- Look into job-placement help, tuition reimbursement, and company-sponsored options.
- Read reviews and, if possible, visit the yard to see the trucks and meet instructors.
Line Up Your Endorsements Early
Truck Driving Schools by State
Select a state to compare stored listings by city and find available contact details. Confirm classes and endorsements directly with the provider.
After You Earn Your CDL
Compare actual vacancies and employment terms after obtaining the appropriate license. Working as a company driver and running an independent carrier business involve different responsibilities. If you choose your own authority, compare operating costs and the scope of truck dispatch service before signing an agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a training provider's registry listing mean?
Providers on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry self-certify that they meet applicable ELDT requirements. Registration is not a government endorsement, a tuition guarantee or proof of available places. Check the exact location, credential and type of training before enrolling.
Who needs entry-level driver training?
ELDT generally applies to a first Class A or B CDL, a B-to-A upgrade, or a first passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement. It is not retroactive for the respective credential held before February 7, 2022, and exemptions apply. Check your circumstances and state licensing requirements.
Does hazmat ELDT include behind-the-wheel training?
No. For a first hazardous materials endorsement, ELDT requires hazmat theory before the knowledge test. Applicants subject to ELDT for Class A or B, passenger or school bus credentials need the applicable theory and behind-the-wheel instruction before their skills test.
How should I compare CDL schools?
Confirm current registry status and the exact course first. Then compare total tuition, individual practice time, vehicles, class size, test arrangements, refund terms and any sponsored-training repayment obligation. Ask for the terms in writing rather than relying on a placement or earnings promise.
Are the directory's school details live-verified?
These are stored directory records, not a live verification of each school's registration, classes, contact details or enrollment. Confirm those details with the school and the official registry before paying. Missing information does not establish that a program is unavailable.
Does a new CDL driver need operating authority?
A CDL is a driver's license. A company driver generally works under the carrier's operating arrangements. Starting an independent carrier business is a separate decision with operation-specific registration, authority and insurance requirements.
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