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How to Become a CDL & Truck Driving Professional: Schools, Apprenticeships & Licensing

Two ways in: pay for school (325 U.S. schools offer Ground Transportation programs at certificate/associate level, median net price $8,597/yr) or get paid to train (551 registered apprenticeship sponsors nationwide). FMCSA ELDT-registered training required since 2022; many carriers offer paid CDL training with work commitments; WIOA funds many programs.

US schools
325
Median net price / yr
$8,597
Median earnings (10 yr)
$37,186
Apprenticeship sponsors
551
paid training

Licensing at a glance

State license required: Texas, Florida, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan.

Requirements differ sharply by state — check your state's page below for the specific rule, hours, and exam, each cited to the official board.

CDL & Truck Driving aid deadlines & apprenticeship alerts

Aid windows and sponsor application openings, for your state.

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CDL & Truck Driving schools & apprenticeships by state

School data: U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026). Apprenticeship data: U.S. Dept of Labor. Licensing summaries cited to official state boards per state page. Methodology.