CDL Training Can Give You a Fresh Career Start

Why Truck Driving is a Smart Career Reset

Sometimes a career needs a fresh start. For people looking for a new career track, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training can give your career a fresh start.

Unlike many careers that require years of education, CDL training can be completed in just a few weeks. That means you can move from beginner to professional driver faster than you could complete one semester of college.

Truck Driving Jobs Are in Demand

Truck driving is a career in high demand. The industry has long faced a driver shortage that American Trucking Association Chief Economist Bob Costello says could reach 160,000 drivers by 2028.

This makes truck driving a great place to earn a living, especially for people looking for a change in their career.

Why do companies need CDL drivers?

• E-Commerce Growth: Online shopping continues to grow, and warehouse and fulfillment centers need more drivers to meet delivery demands
• Driver Retirements: Many older truckers are retiring, leaving thousands of positions open for new CDL holders
• Construction and Manufacturing: Construction and industrial companies rely on CDL drivers to transport equipment, materials, and finished goods

Starting a New Career with a CDL

Many jobs are at the mercy of the economy’s strength. Many workers in manufacturing, construction, other industries where an economic downturn can mean lost jobs.

The trucking industry, with its older driver base and a constant need to ship goods around the country, is seeing a large demand for new drivers.

The current driver shortage nationwide means opportunities for new drivers willing to invest time in proper training and certification.

The path from getting a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to getting your first job is a process that anyone committed to learning can succeed in.

What Careers Can I Start with a CDL?

A truck driving career doesn’t just mean you’ll have to drive cross-country for days or weeks at a time. A CDL allows you to choose a career path that fits your lifestyle and goals in a job that gives you options:

• Over-the-Road trucking: Travel across states, earn higher wages, and see the country transporting goods and keeping the economy moving
• Local delivery: Be home daily, earning solid pay
• Specialized transport: Tanker, hazmat, or oversized loads bring premium salaries
• Passenger transport: Drive buses or shuttles, serving communities
• Construction & utility vehicles: Operate dump trucks, mixers, or heavy equipment

How Much Money do Truck Drivers Make?

Your earning potential as a truck driver depends on a few things, but you can count on a strong, stable salary for years to come. The median annual pay for heavy truck drivers is $57,000+/year, and the top 10% of drivers can make $75,000+ annually or more.

If you add endorsements, you can command salaries even higher.

• Hazmat (H): $70,000+
• Tanker (N): $80,000+
• Doubles/Triples (T): $85,000+

Conclusion

People who need a career change but don’t have time to go through years of education or training, should consider getting a CDL. A career in truck driving can help you reset your career in an industry with good wages, flexibility, and stability.

In as little as 3 to 8 weeks, you can go from beginner to licensed CDL driver, ready to step into a job in a high-demand industry.

CDL training can provide career changers with a clear path forward. Structured CDL programs, financial aid options, and many companies eager to hire new drivers can help you find the fresh career start you need in the trucking industry.

Commercial Driving Academy can help you start a career in truck driving with ELDT-compliant CDL training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do CDL schools have financial aid?

Yes, CDL schools accept financial aid, including grants, student loans, veterans’ benefits, and other options.

How long does CDL training take?

Training times vary by school and program, but at CDA, training takes four weeks (160 hours) for a full-time Class A CDL program, and two weeks (70 hours) for a full-time Class B CDL program.

What are endorsements?

Endorsements are credentials added to your CDL that allow you to drive routes that require specialized skills. Common endorsements include:

• Hazardous Materials
• Tanker Vehicles
• Double/Triple Trailers
• Passenger Vehicles
• School buses

Is truck driving a good career for a woman?

While truck driving has been traditionally been a male-dominated profession, more women enter the industry every year. Women currently make up about 10% of truck drivers.