Truck driving schools are vocational training institutions that specialize to course that will help you achieve a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The specific curriculum varies rather widely from school to school, but generally you will be given training in driving and operating a tractor-trailer as a commercial truck driver.

Most truck driving schools are focused on training individuals who have no prior truck driving experience and are interested in gaining a CDL to further their employment opportunities. The training normally lasts 4 – 6 weeks and you can expect to pay around $650 per week on average. Some schools also provide refresher training for experienced truck drivers and also provide specialty training for hazardous waste hauling and international hauling.

Since most truck driving schools are private institutions they are not eligible for government grants and loans. Some schools fund work-study and internship programs to help the students fund the cost of the tuition but this is very uncommon. Special “Career Training” loans are also available for qualified students.

If you are looking into truck driving school as a vocational training option, there are a number of important questions to ask any school you are interested in
- What exactly are the fees
- What is the length of the program and what is covered
- What is the student to instructor ratio. You want 4:1 or less
- What financial aid is available.