Eligibility check
Ranked schools need active full Class A registration at the exact location and a program-specific Class A source.
Start with a state or city. Then compare verified training locations, license classes, reported cost, and the published details behind each rank.
Read how schools are evaluated
FMCSA's live Training Provider Registry counted 18,160 active providers operating at 31,068 locations on August 26, 2026. BLS estimated 2,062,040 heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver jobs in May 2025, with a national median of $58,640 a year, or $28.19 an hour. The truck driver salary table shows the full wage range for every state and Washington, DC.
TPR counts are active federal registry records, not endorsements. BLS figures are national estimates for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Local pay varies by route, employer, and experience.
CDL school directory by state / 01
Every state directory uses active, public-enrollment, in-person locations in the August 5, 2026 FMCSA data. The pages preserve exact addresses and training registrations, while deeper rankings remain limited to schools with program-specific sources.
469 public training locations
519 public training locations
133 public training locations
184 public training locations
98 public training locations
Counts show unique active, public-enrollment, in-person locations with at least one CDL training component in the federal registry. Duplicate rows for the same provider and address are merged.
CDL schools by metro / 02
Exact-city pages match the city in each provider address. Metro pages such as Atlanta, Seattle-Tacoma, and the Bay Area name the included places instead of quietly expanding a search radius.
CDL school ranking method / 03
FMCSA requires listed providers to self-certify that they meet federal standards. The agency does not approve, certify, or rank their quality. Our rankings require published information beyond a registry listing, and the registry-check guide shows how to verify a location yourself.
Ranked schools need active full Class A registration at the exact location and a program-specific Class A source.
The score counts a program source, price, hours, duration, schedule or start cadence, and a sourced funding route.
Ranked pages show every factor and source. Equal scores share a rank, and sponsored placements never receive a ranking boost.
CDL training guides / 04
License class, tuition, and employer commitments change the training choice. If you need the entire sequence first, start with how to become a truck driver. Then use the CDL class and endorsement guide to match training to the vehicle and work you want. The CDL training blog covers focused rule changes and enrollment questions.
| Compare | Class A | Class B |
|---|---|---|
| Typical vehicle | Tractor-trailer or other combination | Straight truck or many buses |
| First-time ELDT practical work | Range and public road | Range and public road |
| Compare before enrolling | Trailer access, road time, endorsements | Training vehicle, passenger or school-bus needs |
For combination vehicles such as tractor-trailers. First-time applicants covered by ELDT need theory, range, and public-road instruction from a registered provider.
Compare Class A trainingFor single heavy vehicles such as many straight trucks and buses. Check the vehicle, endorsement, and employer requirements before selecting a course.
Compare Class B trainingCompare the full price: tuition, permit and testing fees, physical and drug screening, endorsements, housing, and any retest charges. We publish a price only when a source supports it.
See the cost guideEmployer-sponsored training can reduce upfront cost, but it may carry a work commitment, repayment clause, or lower starting pay. Read the contract and compare its total obligation with independent school options.
Ready to check your local options?
Choose a state or exact-match city directory.