How to Become a Truck Driver — CDL Requirements, Training, and First Jobs

Commercial trucking is one of the most direct paths from zero experience to a $50,000+ job in the US — and many companies pay for training in exchange for a work commitment. The shortage of qualified CDL drivers has been persistent for decades and shows no sign of reversing.

The path is well-defined: get your Commercial Learner's Permit → complete ELDT training → take the CDL skills test → apply for driving jobs.

At a glance

Time to get a CDL: 3–8 weeks of training + testing
CDL training cost: $3,000–$10,000 (or free with company-sponsored programme)
Minimum age: 21 for interstate; 18 for intrastate in most states
Starting pay (OTR): $0.45–$0.60/mile; $45,000–$65,000/year
Job outlook: Strong — 170,000+ truck driver openings annually (BLS 2024)

Company-sponsored CDL training — the free option

Dozens of major carriers (Swift, Werner, Schneider, CRST, Prime, C.R. England, and others) offer sponsored CDL training programmes. They pay for your CDL school, and in exchange you commit to driving for them for 6–12 months after receiving your licence. If you leave early, you repay a prorated portion of the training cost.

These programmes are legitimate paths for candidates who can't afford CDL school upfront. The trade-off is that you must accept their initial assignment (usually OTR long-haul with limited home time in your first year). For candidates who want regional or local driving from day one, private CDL school followed by independent job searching may produce better initial placement.

What the CDL skills test covers

The CDL skills test has three components administered on the same day: Vehicle Inspection — the examiner watches you conduct your pre-trip inspection and scores whether you correctly identify all required items; Basic Vehicle Control — backing maneuvers in a test yard (offset backing, parallel parking or alley dock); On-Road Driving — 30–45 minutes of actual driving with the examiner scoring turns, lane changes, stops, intersections, and railroad crossings.

Each component is scored separately. Failing any one component requires a retest of that component. The pre-trip inspection is the most common failure point for first-time testers who haven't memorised the sequence.

Step-by-step path

Meet the basic requirements. Must be at least 21 for interstate CDL (18 for intrastate in most states); hold a valid driver's licence in your state; pass a DOT physical (medical examiner's certificate); have a clean driving record (no DUI in past 10 years, no reckless driving convictions, limited moving violations).
Get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Pass the general knowledge written test at your state DMV (and any endorsement tests you need). The CLP allows you to practise in a CMV with a licensed CDL holder supervising you. Must hold the CLP for a minimum of 14 days before taking the skills test.
Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). Federal law requires first-time CDL applicants to complete ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider. ELDT includes classroom (theory) and behind-the-wheel training (BTW). Duration varies by programme but is typically 3–8 weeks full-time.
Schedule and pass the CDL skills test. Three-part test: vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control (backing maneuvers), on-road driving. Administered by your state DMV or an approved third-party examiner. Testing fees typically $50–$150.
Apply to driving jobs. With a brand-new CDL, you're considered a 'student driver' or 'new CDL holder.' Most carriers require a minimum of 3–12 months experience before independent assignment. Company-sponsored trainees go directly to their sponsored carrier. Independent CDL graduates typically apply to carriers with new-driver training programmes.

Salary and Demand

Starting OTR drivers earn $0.45–$0.60/mile (typically 100,000–130,000 miles/year = $45,000–$65,000). Regional drivers earn less per mile but more hours per week at home = $55,000–$75,000 total. Local drivers earn hourly rates = $25–$35/hour, often with overtime. Owner-operators earn $100,000–$200,000 gross but have high expenses; net income after expenses is typically $60,000–$100,000. Benefits (medical, dental, 401k) are standard at most major carriers.