Home › California › CDL & Truck Driving schools
12 schools in California offer cdl & truck driving-related programs, compared below on official cost, completion, and earnings data. Prefer to earn while you learn? 16 registered apprenticeship sponsors in California train cdl & truck driving apprentices — see apprenticeships.
California CDLs are issued by the California DMV, and the state adds a training floor most states don't have: original Class A/B applicants must log at least 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training (10 on public roads) under Vehicle Code 15250.1, on top of federal Entry-Level Driver Training. Applicants also need a DOT medical certificate, a learner's permit held 14 days, and must pass knowledge tests (80% minimum) plus the 3-part skills test.
Official source: California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) · Exam: CDL knowledge test(s) (minimum 80% to pass) plus the 3-part skills test (vehicle inspection, basic control, road test) · Typical requirement: Valid California license; age 18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate; DOT medical certificate; CLP held at least 14 days; FMCSA ELDT plus a California-specific minimum of 15 hours behind-the-wheel training (at least 10 on public roads) for original Class A/B applicants under CVC 15250.1, certified on form DL 1236
| School | City | Type | Net price / yr | Completion | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago Canyon College | Orange | public | $2,129 | 26.5% | $44,956 |
| Shasta College | Redding | public | $2,878 | 24.5% | $39,269 |
| Butte College | Oroville | public | $5,520 | 36.3% | $41,810 |
| Sacramento City College | Sacramento | public | $6,614 | 18.9% | $42,214 |
| San Diego City College | San Diego | public | $7,935 | 20.8% | $38,503 |
| Coalinga College | Coalinga | public | $10,477 | 26% | $37,633 |
| CET-Soledad | Soledad | private nonprofit | $11,260 | 82% | $32,986 |
| CET-El Centro | El Centro | private nonprofit | $11,405 | 91.2% | $32,986 |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College | Los Angeles | public | $12,323 | 20.2% | $35,233 |
| Bakersfield College | Bakersfield | public | $14,621 | 25.9% | $37,291 |
| CET-San Jose | San Jose | private nonprofit | $16,101 | 79.6% | $32,986 |
| Advanced Career Institute | Visalia | private for-profit | not reported | 77.5% | not reported |
Ranking = median earnings 10 years after entry per $1,000 of average yearly net price (methodology). Schools without both figures sort last — "not reported" means the federal dataset lacks the value, not that the school is bad.
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