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Get Your CDL

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) opens the door to a stable, well-paying career. This free guide from Highway Hauling Heroes walks you through each step, explains the costs, and shows you how to find help paying for training.

Row of semi trucks parked at a terminal

CDL Classes at a Glance

  • Class A – Tractor-trailers and other combination vehicles. Most long-haul and regional trucking jobs require a Class A.
  • Class B – Single vehicles such as straight trucks, dump trucks, and buses.
  • Class C – Smaller vehicles that carry 16 or more passengers or placarded hazardous materials.

Endorsements such as Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T), Passenger (P), and School Bus (S) let you haul more types of freight and can increase your pay.

Step by Step: How to Get Your CDL

  1. Check the requirements in your state. Your state issues your CDL, so read your state’s CDL manual for age, residency, and document requirements. In general, you must be at least 21 to drive across state lines.
  2. Get a DOT medical card. Most commercial drivers must pass a DOT physical with a certified medical examiner.
  3. Get your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Pass your state’s knowledge tests. A CLP lets you practice driving with a qualified CDL holder beside you.
  4. Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). If you are getting a Class A or B CDL for the first time, you must finish training with a provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before your skills test.
  5. Hold your CLP for at least 14 days. This is a federal minimum before you can take the skills test.
  6. Pass the skills test. It has three parts: vehicle inspection, basic controls, and a road test.
  7. Get your CDL. Bring your passing results to your state licensing office.

Learn more on FMCSA’s How do I get a CDL? page.

How to Pay for CDL Training

  • Workforce (WIOA) training funds. Many local American Job Centers can help eligible job seekers pay for training in high-demand jobs, often including CDL school. Find your nearest center at CareerOneStop.org.
  • Company-sponsored training. Some carriers pay for training in exchange for a work commitment. Read the contract carefully, including what you owe if you leave early.
  • Veterans benefits. Veterans may be able to use education benefits for approved CDL programs. See our Veterans Into Trucking guide.
  • Community colleges. Many offer CDL programs that may qualify for financial aid.

Tips for Choosing a CDL School

  • Confirm the school is listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
  • Ask about total cost, behind-the-wheel hours, and pass rates.
  • Ask whether they help with job placement after graduation.
  • Be cautious with any program that promises a job but locks you into an unclear contract.

Need Help Getting Started?

Highway Hauling Heroes can point you toward training options, funding help, and companies that hire new drivers. It is free.

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This guide is for general information. Requirements change and vary by state, so confirm details with your state licensing agency and FMCSA.