The Fastest Way to Get Your CDL

Truck driving school timelines can be confusing, since programs vary by school and by CDL class. At Commercial Driving Academy (CDA), students can finish training and be ready for the road in as little as two weeks.

Anyone researching truck driving school runs into a mix of timelines. Some schools advertise months of training, others promise a license in a matter of days, which usually leaves out important steps. At CDA, the timeline options are straightforward. Students choose between two federally approved CDL training programs, and each one has clear, set schedules from the first days of classes to the CDL skills tests.

The Options

CDA offers two CDL types, and the right one depends on the kind of driving career a student wants.

Both programs follow the same basic structure. Students start in the classroom, move to the training range to practice vehicle control, and finish with time behind the wheel. Every program meets Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Entry-Level Driver Training requirements, so the license a student earns is recognized nationwide.

Which Program Fits Which Career?

The fastest program is not always the right one for every student. The right choice depends on the CDL type a student is training for.

A Class A CDL qualifies drivers to operate tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and other combination vehicles. This license opens the door to long-haul trucking jobs, which tend to pay more and offer more routes to choose from. Training takes four weeks because students also learn to couple and uncouple trailers and handle larger vehicles on the highway.

A Class B CDL qualifies drivers to operate straight trucks, delivery trucks, and city buses. These jobs are usually local or regional, so drivers get home more often. Because the vehicles are single-unit, students do not need to learn trailer coupling, which is one reason the program takes two weeks instead of four.

Both timelines move at a similar pace. Neither program cuts corners on safety training or crucial skills. The difference in length is only due to the extra skills required to safely operate a tractor-trailer.

Daytime or Evening: Does It Change the Timeline?

Many students want to know if training while holding down a job will slow things down. At CDA, it won’t. With evening and daytime classes, students get the same quality of training and the same number of class days with trainers no matter which schedule they choose.

The Class A program offers evening classes at the Duncan, South Carolina and Macon, Georgia CDA campuses, typically running from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This lets students keep a current job during the day and still finish the program in four weeks. Daytime and evening students cover the same material, use the same training range, and take the same CDL exam.

Choosing the Fastest Path for You

The shortest route to a CDL depends on the career a student wants to start. Someone aiming for long-haul trucking and the highest earning potential will need to take the four-week Class A program. Someone who wants local routes and more predictable hours may find the two-week Class B program is the right fit for their goals.

Either way, students can move from enrollment to a job-ready CDL in weeks, not months. CDA’s admissions team can help match a student’s goals and schedule to the right program, and the financial aid team can walk through payment options before training even starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get a CDL at CDA?

CDA’s fastest program is the two-week, 70-hour Class B CDL program, offered at all CDA campuses. It is the quickest way to complete training and become eligible to take the CDL skills test.

Is a two-week CDL program long enough to meet federal requirements?

Yes. CDA’s Class B program meets all FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training requirements in the two-week timeframe, so graduates are fully prepared for the CDL exam.

Does the Class A program take longer than Class B?

Yes. Class A training takes four weeks because it covers additional skills, like coupling and uncoupling trailers, that are not part of Class B training.

Do evening classes speed up or slow down training?

Neither. They don’t speed up or slow down training. Evening classes cover the same hours and material as daytime classes, so the program length stays the same either way.

Do students need a CDL permit before starting training?

No. CDA helps students obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) as part of the training program, so it is not required before enrollment.

Why would someone choose a 2 to 4 week program instead of a faster path some other schools may advertise?

Programs that promise to train students in a matter of days often under develop students’ skills. CDA’s multi-week programs meet federal training standards and prepares students to be proficient drivers while still moving as quickly as possible.

Can a Class B CDL later be upgraded to a Class A CDL?

Yes. Many drivers start with a Class B license and later complete Class A training if they decide to move into long-haul trucking.