How to Become a Truck Driver

Truck drivers move the food, fuel and goods the country runs on. Getting your Class A CDL is one of the fastest ways into a skilled career, with most CDL programs taking just 3 to 8 weeks. You will need federally required entry-level training, a DOT medical card and a passing score on your state's CDL tests.

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Updated October 2026

5 steps to become a truck driver

  1. Check that you meet the basic requirements

    You must be at least 18 to drive a commercial truck within your state and 21 to drive across state lines. Hauling hazardous materials generally requires you to be 21 as well. You need a valid regular driver's license, a reasonably clean driving record, and the ability to pass a drug test. Employers will also check your record through the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

  2. Get your DOT medical card and learner's permit

    Pass a DOT physical with a certified medical examiner to get your medical card. Then pass your state's written CDL knowledge tests to get a commercial learner's permit (CLP). Federal rules say you must hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test.

  3. Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

    Federal law requires first-time Class A and Class B applicants to finish ELDT from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Training covers classroom theory plus behind-the-wheel practice on a range and on public roads. Most CDL programs take 3 to 8 weeks.

  4. Pass your CDL skills test

    The skills test has three parts: a vehicle inspection (pre-trip), basic control skills like backing and parking, and a road test. Once you pass, your state issues your CDL. Adding endorsements like tanker, doubles or hazmat can widen your job options.

  5. Land your first driving job

    Many new drivers start with a company that offers paid training with an experienced driver, often in long-haul or regional freight. After a year or so of safe driving, more local, specialized and higher-paying jobs open up. Keep a clean record, because it is your most valuable asset.

What does a truck driver do?

Truck drivers haul freight from one place to another, often over long distances. Most of the goods you buy spent part of their trip on a truck. A driver’s job is to get the load there safely, on time and in good condition, while following federal safety rules.

Driving is the main task, but it is not the only one. Before each trip, drivers do a pre-trip inspection of brakes, tires, lights and coupling. They plan routes, log their hours of service on an electronic logging device (ELD), and check in at shippers and receivers. Some drivers help load or unload, secure cargo with straps and chains, or handle paperwork and delivery receipts.

Drivers use the truck’s controls, mirrors and GPS, an ELD, a phone or tablet for dispatch, and tools like tire gauges, load straps, chains and tarps for flatbed work.

Common types of driving include:

  • Long-haul (over-the-road), often away from home for days or weeks
  • Regional routes that get you home most weekends
  • Local delivery and less-than-truckload (LTL) routes, home most nights
  • Dedicated routes for one customer, such as a grocery chain
  • Specialized hauling like tanker, flatbed or hazmat

A typical day

  • Do a full pre-trip inspection and check your load paperwork
  • Drive your planned route, taking required breaks
  • Check in at a shipper or receiver and wait for loading or unloading
  • Update dispatch and log hours on your ELD
  • Find parking, do a post-trip check and rest for the next shift

Is truck driving a good career?

Trucking offers one of the fastest paths to a steady paycheck. It is also a lifestyle, not just a job, so weigh both sides.

Pros

  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers earn a median of $58,640 a year ($28.19 an hour).
  • With about 2,221,200 jobs and about 214,500 openings each year, there is steady demand for drivers.
  • CDL training is short, typically 3 to 8 weeks.
  • Jobs are available in nearly every part of the country.
  • You can specialize, drive local, or work toward owning your own truck.

Cons

  • Job growth is projected at 4% from 2025 to 2035, so most openings come from drivers leaving the field.
  • Long-haul routes can keep you away from family for days or weeks.
  • Long hours of sitting can be hard on your health.
  • Traffic, weather and tight delivery windows can be stressful.

Trade school vs. apprenticeship

For truck drivers, the main question is where you get your CDL training.

CDL school. A private truck driving school or community college CDL program typically takes 3 to 8 weeks and costs about $3,000 to $10,000, which varies by school. You pay up front (or with aid), but you are free to work for any company once you have your license. Make sure the school is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, since ELDT is federally required.

Company-sponsored training. Many large carriers will train you for little or no upfront cost. In return, you agree to drive for them for a set period, often a year. If you leave early, you may owe the training cost back. This can be a good deal, but read the contract closely.

Apprenticeships. Some carriers run registered apprenticeship programs where you finish your CDL and then drive with a mentor while earning a wage. These are less common but worth asking about.

After your CDL, most new drivers spend several weeks riding with a trainer before driving solo.

Specializations and where they lead

  • Over-the-road (OTR) driver. A common first job. Long routes, lots of miles and the chance to build experience fast.
  • Local or regional driver. Home more often. These jobs usually want some experience first.
  • Tanker, hazmat or flatbed. Specialized freight that requires extra endorsements or skills and often pays more.
  • Driver trainer. Experienced drivers can train new hires and earn extra pay.
  • Owner-operator, dispatcher or fleet manager. Some drivers buy their own truck and run a small business. Others move into dispatch, safety or management roles.

How to choose a CDL school

A good CDL school gets you real seat time and helps you land a job. Ask these questions:

  • Are you listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry? If not, your training will not count for ELDT, and you cannot take the skills test.
  • How many hours of behind-the-wheel time will I get? Ask how much is on a practice range versus public roads, and how many students share each truck.
  • Do you offer Class A training on a manual or automatic truck? Training on an automatic may add a restriction to your CDL, which can limit some jobs.
  • Is the CDL skills test included, and do you provide the truck for it? Ask about retest fees too.
  • Is the program eligible for financial aid, workforce grants or veterans’ benefits? Some programs qualify for FAFSA, state workforce funding or the GI Bill.
  • What job placement help do you offer? Ask which carriers recruit from the school and what percentage of graduates get hired.
  • What is the student-to-instructor ratio? Fewer students per instructor means more coaching and practice.

Certifications and licenses

  • Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

    Lets you drive tractor-trailers and most heavy combination vehicles. It is issued by your state after you complete ELDT and pass the knowledge and skills tests.

  • DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate

    Proof that you passed a DOT physical with an examiner on the FMCSA National Registry. You must keep it current to keep driving, and it usually needs renewing at least every two years.

  • CDL Endorsements (Tanker, Doubles/Triples, Hazmat)

    Extra tests that let you haul liquids, pull multiple trailers or carry hazardous materials. The hazmat endorsement also requires a TSA background check, and you generally must be 21.

  • TWIC Card

    A federal security credential needed to enter ports and some secure facilities. It is useful if you want to haul shipping containers.

Where truck drivers earn the most

  1. Alaska$70,100
  2. Washington$64,760
  3. New Jersey$63,570
  4. Massachusetts$63,030
  5. Nevada$62,290

Truck driver salary in every state

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Truck driver FAQ

How long does it take to get a CDL?

Most CDL programs take 3 to 8 weeks, depending on whether you go full time or part time. You also need to hold your learner's permit for at least 14 days before the skills test. Many people go from no CDL to their first driving job in about two months.

How much do truck drivers make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $58,640 a year, or $28.19 an hour. Pay depends on the type of freight, miles driven, and whether you drive local, regional or long haul. Specialized loads like tanker or hazmat often pay more.

How old do you have to be to drive a truck?

You can get a CDL and drive within your state at 18. To drive across state lines or haul hazardous materials, you must be 21. Some companies set their own minimum age higher for certain jobs.

How much does CDL school cost?

CDL programs typically cost $3,000 to $10,000, and the price varies by school and by how much behind-the-wheel time is included. Some trucking companies offer paid or reimbursed training in exchange for agreeing to drive for them for a set time. Read those contracts carefully before you sign.

Is truck driving a good career?

It can be, especially if you want to start earning quickly. The BLS counts about 2,221,200 heavy truck driver jobs and expects about 214,500 openings a year, with 4% growth from 2025 to 2035. The trade-off is long hours and, for many routes, time away from home.

Can I get a CDL with no experience?

Yes. CDL programs are built for people who have never driven a big rig. You only need a regular driver's license to start, plus a DOT medical card and a learner's permit before behind-the-wheel training.

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