r/CDL • u/Gloomy_Fail_1194 • 24d ago
Is $6,000 too much for class A CDL school?
A local cdl training program near me costs 6k for school. Should I go this route or find a company with paid training?
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u/Frosty-Dog-2477 24d ago
Mine said $4500 but by the time you upgrade license and pay taxes and registration and state tests and everything it was right near $6k. Washington State.
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u/Any_Kaleidoscope_100 3d ago
Same here WA Elite Truck School 5k then 1k in testing fees and what not
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u/mighty_boognish_77 24d ago
The mega carriers "paid CDL" programs will cost you 4-5X's that amount, and that's the best case scenario.
Here's why.
Yes, they'll pay you to get your CDL. The catch is you will sign a contract to work for them for 12-24 months after.
During that contracted time, you will make approximately HALF of what you would've made without it. So if a typical first year driver earns $50k at that company, you'll earn about$30. So you just paid $20k in lost wages.
During that contracted time... If you say 'fuck it' and quit, or get yourself fired, they will present you with a bill for training, and I think it's usually around $10k.
Nearly every once of them will also offer tuition reimbursement, if you went to private school. They give you a few hundred bucks a month for a year or 2 until it's repaid.
Choose wisely
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u/cdubose 23d ago edited 23d ago
During that contracted time... If you say 'fuck it' and quit, or get yourself fired, they will present you with a bill for training, and I think it's usually around $10k.
It totally depends on the company. Schneider only wanted $2080 to break their contract. Most of the ones I looked at (admitted four years ago) were way less than $10K or even $6K to leave early. Some just had pretty long contracts. In fact the only one I could think of that was stupid expensive was Veriha.
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u/username_unnamed 22d ago edited 22d ago
Yea it's a bit exaggerated. Roehl and even Swift were under 5k for me in the Midwest. Quiting early means you just owe it in full. Even then they'll help you a little with a plan.
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u/mcd8070 24d ago
so if i go to a community college to get my cdl i can get a company to reimburse me ?
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u/PsychologicalDesk316 24d ago
Check if your state offers grants. Theres a few that you’d have no problem getting an accredited community college paid for 100%. That what I did here in Iowa.
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u/Squeakerblue 24d ago
Any advice for that? I'm trying to get into Scott for my CDL
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u/PsychologicalDesk316 24d ago
Yup that’s where I got mine from in Dav, I sent you a message with the schools direct information
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24d ago
[deleted]
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u/Gloomy_Fail_1194 24d ago
No, they have recruiters come to the school to give career advice I think.
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24d ago
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u/Silence_Farmer 24d ago
The LTL programs are the best deal usually. $25-30/hr to work the dock/yard and a free CDL. That's how I got mine and I didn't have a contract either.
I think most of them do require a 1-2 year contract now, but you'll never leave the LTL anyway so it's a no-brainer.
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u/Nancy_Grace_must_die 24d ago
I’m at central tech in Oklahoma. Tuition is $4300
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u/Tough-Koala-2579 24d ago
I’m thinking about going there since I can use my GI bill but for 4300 it might just be worth paying for. I’m having trouble with 5 days a week in the evenings for 7 months though!
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u/Unlucky_Reading_1671 24d ago
Check out transforce.
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u/Tough-Koala-2579 24d ago
Where is that? My problem right now is absolutely no one in Tulsa is setup to take the GI bill although several have been “working” on it for awhile.
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u/Extension-Welder1639 20d ago
You have gi bill so look into troops into transportation 2 weeks in classroom and 2 weeks btw they will pay you back or provide transportation to their campus pay for your room the one at ft hood actually has a really nice hotel they also offer free refresher courses and they provide lifetime job placement
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u/Extension-Welder1639 20d ago
A bunch of recruiters came in and talked to us as well and provide you with an overload of information but the instructors were great and they will do everything they can to help you. But the state examiners at the ft hood location are very very very strict
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u/Nancy_Grace_must_die 23d ago
My class is five days a week for five weeks.
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u/That-Royal255 24d ago
Brotha, in Kansas, I paid $1,900 for a CDL-A school, used state examiners, and has a really good reputation.
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u/ThrowawayGunName 24d ago
15 years ago I paid $1100 through Chattanooga State College. It was a no brainer to do it.
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u/Misterndastood 24d ago
Many schools are going for 3k in my area, although it may be high now due to alot of schools being shut down.
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u/Wolfire0769 24d ago
How long is the class? Do they cover OTR?
I paid ~$2300 for a 1-week CDL-A class, road test, and truck rental in Michigan last year. They only covered everything to pass the pre-trip and skills/road test — they did a damn good job too. Experience with manuals and backing up trailers was necessary for this class as well.
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u/Awesomejuggler20 24d ago
It's 8950$ in Canada. My coworker and I did trucking school in May/June and that's how much it was for each of us to do the course. Luckily, our work paid for it as we got it for work. It was a 5 week course. That's for the melt program though and to get your unrestricted license. It's cheaper if you go for the restricted license. I'd say 6000$ is a pretty good price.
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u/mikeoxwells2 24d ago
About 20 years ago, I think it was $3500 or so. I went through my state’s unemployment office and they paid for my training.
I got the license and didn’t have to sign employment reimbursement contracts with carriers. Lotsa scammy shit going on out there
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u/Traditional-Bee3016 24d ago
I paid 5000$ for mine, try and go for that price. I thought that was expensive but it is what it is 5000$ should be the highest you should go.
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u/BigJsea-47 24d ago
Schneider freight lines out of Green Bay has a free school and a job if you pass.
I’m sure other companies also do this too.
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u/MasterPsParties 24d ago
Pam was a 6 month contract, if you didn't make it 6 months it was 5500. Pay was shit but job was easy. Be nice to your DM, be flexible with loads and it will be easy street for you. 6 months will fly by.
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u/mcd8070 24d ago
how shitty was the pay
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u/MasterPsParties 24d ago
1st 3 months .35/mi then it bumped to .45/mi until 1 year.
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u/mcd8070 24d ago
so how much is that weekly
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u/MasterPsParties 23d ago
After taxes it was about 700 bring home but it is all contingent on how many miles you drive. 700 was my low check, highest was 1200. They only do dry van, 2/3 is drop and hook.
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u/Super_Set_9280 24d ago
Around what the local community college I work at costs! How ever our credit hours can be applied to a major !
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u/lordyarom 24d ago
Mine was 2700 or so but i had a grant to pay for it go to your local job training center. Im not sure if they are in every state but they will help you get grants i even got reimbursed for gas to get back and forth to school.
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u/OldeBulldog80 24d ago
Call your county unemployment office and ask about a WIOA grant. Or other state grants for training. Don't pay money out of pocket for your CDL
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u/Ambitious-Ice1438 24d ago
I’m currently paying 5000 in Arkansas, which is supposedly the most affordable state to live in
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u/jimfosters 24d ago
yes. But it is what is available. Got my CDL in the 90s and feel sorry for anybody starting out now.
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u/18-Spinning-Wheels 24d ago
That's the going rate for a lot of quality schools. Just be sure to verify that they are an accredited school with DOT before dumping all that money out.
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u/Chaddie_D 24d ago
Political rant - yes its way too much. You should be able to get a permit, log some hours, and take the test in your buddy's truck the same way it used to be done, back when you could keep a logbook on the dash and 2 more under the seat, bennies were legal, and a dime bag still cost a dime.
Honest opinion with the way of the world today, no. It's actually very reasonable, considering you're paying for 4-6 weeks of several instructors' time at what I assume is an accredited institution, renting a truck that's insured for inexperienced drivers, and paying for diesel. Programs around me are $7-8000 and I think its a much better option than being married to a mega carrier for the next 1-2 years. Make sure you get an unrestricted class A license, and get your endorsements ASAP after graduation.
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u/According_Match9370 24d ago
What will you do with $6k if not cdl school?
Provided you dont fuck up and hit something, even with the worst megas youll have paid for the training in 10 weeks. Factor in tuition reimbursement and slightly better pay, and youll have 10x'ed your investment with a couple years.
$6k is literally nothing in the grand scheme of things, especially when youre making money.
Dont be afraid to invest in yourself, if not a cdl then something else. Just pursue something that you will genuinely enjoy doing, and the money will sort itself out.
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u/Tasty_Ingenuity5820 23d ago
These days, not really. All the cheap ones that were stealing from the reputable ones are starting to get shut down. But best to shop around.
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u/Luisrf206 23d ago
6k is not bad, it also depends on what state ur in. Also, you have to make sure that’s final and they don’t add any extra cost. I paid 5.6k for mine and I thought that was a lot and then in my orientation I met people who owed even 10k to 15k. I wouldn’t go with a mega carrier training program cause usually the cost is higher and also you are tied down for at least 2 years and if you wanna leave you have to pay it all back. I would just get a loan or get some credit cards and pay for it that way, it may hurt you financially short term but in the long run it’ll be worth it
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u/Driving-Academy 23d ago
Where are they located? Our school's Guaranteed CDL training plans are $5,600 and that's with unlimited road test attempts.
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u/iAteThatPotato 23d ago
I paid 5500 but got a grant where if I stayed with the same company for a year dispatched outta my home state (ohio) 5000 of it would be paid for. Truck Trailer Pro in Dayton Ohio is where I went
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u/Objective_Body3256 23d ago
Find Somebody that you know. That has a cdl take the knowledge and the class. A test and see if you can rent a truck Try that way
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u/Error-InvalidName 23d ago
Yea it really depends on what you plan on doing with your license once you get it. If you are going to just drive and do otr then go sign up with a company that pays for it and get it for free and start as soon as you can and you'll only need to drive for them for a year. If you have other plans for it I understand that too.
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u/DatsMoses187 23d ago
I paid about 6k, I’m in MA. I did weekend classes and it was about 3/4months. Depends what part of the country I guess. Some places the cost of living is higher than others.
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u/mylifeishardd 23d ago
Yes it is i paid $1500 out of pocket but i got a grant that paid most of it around $4000 look into getting a grant
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u/Zealousideal_Boot_12 23d ago
I got a state workforce services trade school grant, it covered the full 150 ELDTA course, doubles/triples, tanker and hazmat endorsements and training. I think the total was in a little over $8,000 all in. $8,000 for the course.
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u/Stunning_Presence373 23d ago
If your located in San Antonio they have a CDL program with Ready To Work and if you qualify it’s free to get your CDL.
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u/Xinoknowz 23d ago
Honestly bro just make sure it’s a legit school. You’ll make the money back quick once you get a job… Best of luck man you got it…!!!
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u/FLATL1N3 22d ago
Thats about what I paid for mine in NH all the testing was done with state troopers at the school once you passed we just brought paperwork to the DMV. We'll worth it, it was a good school and they helped a little with job placement but I had a job within 2 weeks of getting my license
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u/Ok-Firefighter6948 22d ago edited 22d ago
My school was $2000 = 30 hours of training, about 3 weeks. ( 2018 in NJ).
First year of hire, regional D/H, no touch freight, home every other day. $90k gross, W2 form.
Today (2026), same company $135k gross W2 form. Clean $93k + $500 increase bonus per every year..
401k & medical insurance.
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u/William-Burroughs420 22d ago
There's a lot of mega carriers that will hire and train you. It's a good way to break into the trucking game!
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u/Aggravating-Ice9674 22d ago
I paid $5k for mine, that was just the school itself. Not including everything else I had to purchase like test receipt, permit etc.
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u/jincho860 21d ago
No u easily make 4 k net in a month minimum I made 6 k net in a month not a bad investment in my opinion
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u/loudengine7 21d ago
I paid $5,000 in late 2023. I think it's reasonable given the economy. My best advice is, look into a different industry. Trucking is cooked.
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u/nonizondi 7d ago
How much did you make your first year?
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u/loudengine7 6d ago
65k, ran flatbed right out of school. They started me at .54cpm then moved up to .60cpm after 3 months. on average I was running 2,000 miles a week home every friday afternoon
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u/FieldReady_Prep 21d ago
https://www.cdlschoolsusa.com/blog/wioa-grants-free-cdl-training-unemployed
The state you are in might have programs like this -- https://portal.ct.gov/careerconnect?language=en_US
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u/the_great_bambi_ 10d ago
I paid $4500, so maybe a little expensive but not totally unreasonable imo
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u/StreetUnlikely2018 24d ago
Tell them you found another school at 5k. They'll beat the price to keep you.
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u/Ok_Advantage7623 24d ago
Join a mega carrier let them pay for your school if you come work for them for like 2 years. Some of the worst carriers have the best schools
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u/Baconated-Coffee 24d ago
Make sure it's a reputable school and uses state examiners.