Transportation & Aviation

How to Become a Truck Driver

To become a truck driver, you need a commercial driver's license (CDL): pass a DOT physical, get a commercial learner's permit, finish FMCSA entry-level driver training, and pass the CDL skills test. Most people do it in 1–3 months through a CDL school that costs about $3,000–$10,000, or through company-paid training. Heavy truck drivers earn a median of $58,640 a year.

Updated October 2026Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, May 2025 dataHow we research
Time to start
1–3 months (full-time CDL school)
Typical cost
$0–$10,000 (company-paid training or private CDL school)
Median pay
$58,640 per year
Education
High school diploma or GED preferred; CDL training required
License / certification
Class A CDL (Class B for straight trucks)
Job outlook
+4% (2025–35), about as fast as average

Steps to become a truck driver

  1. Check that you meet the basic requirements

    You must be at least 18 to drive a commercial truck within your state and 21 to drive across state lines or haul hazmat. You need a valid regular driver's license and a driving record without recent serious violations. Pull your motor vehicle record from your state DMV so you know what employers will see.

    Time: 1 dayCost: $5–$25 for a driving record

  2. Pass a DOT physical and get your medical card

    Book a DOT physical with an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The exam checks vision, hearing, blood pressure and conditions like sleep apnea or diabetes. If you pass, you get a medical examiner's certificate, valid for up to 24 months, which you submit to your state DMV.

    Time: 1 dayCost: $75–$150

  3. Get your commercial learner's permit (CLP)

    Study your state's CDL manual and pass the knowledge tests at the DMV. For a Class A CDL you take General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles. Add endorsement tests (tanker, doubles/triples) now if you want them. You must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test.

    Time: 1–3 weeks of studyCost: $25–$150 in state fees

  4. Complete entry-level driver training (ELDT)

    Since February 2022, first-time Class A and Class B applicants must finish ELDT from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Training has a theory part, where you must score at least 80%, and behind-the-wheel practice on a range and public roads. Your provider reports completion to the registry, and the state checks it before your skills test.

    Time: 3–8 weeksCost: $0–$10,000

  5. Pass the CDL skills test

    The skills test has three parts: vehicle inspection (pre-trip), basic control skills such as backing, and an on-road driving test. You usually take it in the truck you trained in, often at the school or a state-approved third-party site. Practice your pre-trip out loud until you can do it without notes, because many people fail there first.

    Time: 1 dayCost: $0–$350 depending on state and test site

  6. Get hired and finish company onboarding

    Apply to carriers that hire new CDL holders, including large fleets with finishing programs. Expect a DOT drug test, a query of the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, and a road test with the company. Many new drivers spend 2–6 weeks driving with a trainer before running solo.

    Time: 2–6 weeksCost: Usually paid by the employer

  7. Build your first year of safe miles

    Your first 6–12 months matter most. A clean record with no accidents or log violations opens better-paying jobs, such as local, dedicated or tanker routes. Add endorsements like hazmat (requires a TSA background check) when you are ready to earn more.

    Time: 6–12 monthsCost: $0–$200 per endorsement

Find a CDL school near you

Make sure any school is listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, or your state will not let you take the skills test.

  • Private CDL school (Class A, 3–8 weeks full-time)
  • Community college CDL program
  • Company-sponsored CDL training (paid by a carrier with a work contract)
  • Online ELDT theory course plus local behind-the-wheel training
  • Class B CDL program for local delivery, dump truck or bus jobs

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Requirements

Age18+ for intrastate driving; 21+ for interstate driving and hazmat.
Driver's licenseA valid non-commercial license from your home state, with no disqualifying offenses such as recent DUI.
DOT medical certificatePass a DOT physical from an examiner on the FMCSA National Registry; valid for up to 24 months.
Entry-level driver trainingRequired for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants; must come from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
Knowledge and skills testsPass the CLP knowledge tests, hold the permit 14+ days, then pass the three-part skills test.
English proficiencyFederal rules require drivers to read and speak English well enough to talk with officials and read road signs.
Drug and alcohol testingPass a DOT pre-employment drug test and clear an FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query.

How much it costs and how long it takes

ExpenseLowHighNote
CDL school (ELDT theory + behind-the-wheel)$3,000$10,000Community college and private schools; company-sponsored training can be $0 with a work contract.
DOT physical$75$150
CLP knowledge test and permit fees$25$150Varies by state.
CDL skills test$0$350Third-party testers often charge more than the DMV.
CDL license issuance$30$150Varies by state.
Hazmat endorsement (TSA threat assessment)$85$150Optional.
Total$3,215$10,950Timeline: 1–3 months (full-time CDL school)

Exams and how to prepare

CDL General Knowledge test (CLP)

Multiple-choice test on safe driving, cargo, inspections and emergencies. Required for every CDL class.

How to prepare: Read your state CDL manual sections 1–3 and take practice tests until you score 90%+.

Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles tests

Required for a Class A CDL without restrictions. Cover air brake systems, coupling and uncoupling, and handling tractor-trailers.

How to prepare: Study manual sections 5 and 6; learn the air brake check sequence word for word.

Endorsement knowledge tests

Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T), Hazmat (H), Passenger (P) and School Bus (S). Hazmat also needs a TSA background check and, for first-timers, ELDT theory.

How to prepare: Take only the endorsements your target jobs need; each has its own manual section.

CDL skills test

Three parts: vehicle inspection, basic control skills (straight-line, offset and alley-dock backing, depending on state) and an on-road drive.

How to prepare: Memorize the pre-trip inspection script and practice each backing maneuver until you need no pull-ups.

Prepare for the CDL permit and skills tests

Your state CDL manual is free and is the source of every test question; use practice tests to check you are ready.

  • CDL General Knowledge test
  • CDL Air Brakes test
  • CDL Combination Vehicles test
  • Endorsement tests: Tanker, Doubles/Triples, Hazmat
  • CDL pre-trip inspection and skills test
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Truck Driver salary and job outlook

Less than $40,140
Lowest 10% earn less than
$58,640 per year ($28.19 per hour)
Median pay
More than $79,380
Highest 10% earn more than

Employment is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 214,500 openings per year.

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, May 2025 data

Printable PDF

Truck Driver Career Kit: 90-Day CDL Action Plan

$12
  • 90-day action plan with checkboxes
  • Documents checklist
  • 12 interview questions with tips
  • Resume lines, common mistakes, 13-week tracker
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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a CDL?

Most full-time CDL programs take 3–8 weeks, and you must hold your learner's permit at least 14 days before the skills test. Part-time and community college programs can take 3–6 months. Plan on 1–3 months total from permit to license.

How much does CDL school cost?

Private and community college CDL programs usually cost $3,000–$10,000. Some carriers offer company-paid training if you agree to drive for them for a set period, often a year. Read the contract: if you leave early, you may owe the tuition back.

Can I get a CDL at 18?

Yes, but at 18–20 you can only drive commercial trucks within your own state. You must be 21 to drive across state lines or haul hazardous materials. Many local and regional jobs still hire 18–20-year-old CDL holders.

What is on the CDL permit test?

Everyone takes the General Knowledge test. For a Class A CDL you also take Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles. All questions come from your state's CDL manual, so study it and take practice tests before you go to the DMV.

Do I need ELDT if I already know how to drive a truck?

If you are getting your first Class A or B CDL, upgrading from B to A, or adding a hazmat, passenger or school bus endorsement for the first time, yes. The training must come from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Drivers who held a CDL or permit before February 7, 2022 may be exempt.

How much do new truck drivers make?

The BLS median for heavy truck drivers is $58,640 a year, and the lowest 10% earn under $40,140. First-year drivers usually earn toward the lower end, often paid by the mile. Pay rises with experience, a clean record and endorsements.

Can I become a truck driver with a DUI or tickets?

A DUI in a commercial or personal vehicle can disqualify you from a CDL for at least a year, and many carriers will not hire within 3–7 years of one. Several moving violations can also block you from insurance-approved jobs. Check your record and call recruiters before you pay for school.

What is the hardest part of becoming a truck driver?

For most students, the skills test, especially backing and the pre-trip inspection. After you are hired, the hardest part is the lifestyle: long hours and, on over-the-road routes, weeks away from home. Local and regional jobs often pay a bit less but let you sleep at home more often.

Sources

  1. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
  2. FMCSA: How do I get a commercial driver's license?
  3. FMCSA Training Provider Registry (ELDT)
  4. FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
  5. FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
  6. 49 CFR Part 383: Commercial Driver's License Standards (eCFR)

Requirements vary by state and employer and can change. Confirm details with the official sources above before you spend money on training.

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