Due to its central location in the U.S., the Lone Star State is a major transportation hub. As such, trucking jobs are plentiful, and CDL training in San Antonio is very accessible, making it easy to enter the thriving transportation industry.
That means anyone can start working towards a valuable career as a truck driver in San Antonio. We’ll outline the employment facts and figures for truck driving in Texas, as well as important information to know about local schools and training opportunities in the area.
Quicklook: Best CDL Training Programs in San Antonio
- Roadmaster Drivers School
- SAGE Truck Driving School
- St. Philip’s College CDL Training
- Reyna One-On-One CDL Truck Driver Training
- Texas CDL Training
Best CDL Training Programs in San Antonio
Prepare for your trucking career by reviewing the best CDL schools in San Antonio. Here’s a look at some important information about what makes these schools the best and what makes students attend their programs over the CDL training courses of other institutions.
Roadmaster Drivers School
Roadmaster Drivers School is highly respected for the way it provides great career opportunities all over the country. No matter where life takes you, you’ll have strong work opportunities if you receive your CDL through Roadmaster.
Their job placement program will provide you with many truck driving opportunities so that you can work on finding the occupation and company that suits you best.
- Cost: $6,995
Program Length:
- Four weeks
- In-person classes
- One-on-one driving hours with your instructor
Scholarships:
- No scholarships available directly through the school
- Partnerships with organizations that do offer scholarships
- Scholarships available through local trucking companies
- Potential for tuition reimbursement programs
Financial Aid: The San Antonio Roadmaster Drivers School offers several ways to pay for your education. And if you’re looking to work for a trucking company that will pay for your schooling, Roadmaster can help match you with employment opportunities.
Class Size: Roadmaster has spent many years tweaking and perfecting its program to meet the needs of its truck driving students. The class sizes are manageable, providing students with the opportunity to ask questions and get the most out of the program.
Job Placement: As a national educator for truck drivers, Roadmaster’s network is vast. The job opportunities are plentiful and they do a great job of placing their graduates with suitable employers.
Virtual Learning:
- Hands-on training
- In-person classes
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
SAGE Truck Driving School
SAGE Truck Driving School is another national provider of CDL training. They are respected for the way the school trains and prepares truck drivers for a successful career in the industry.
The school is affordable and offers many great perks.
Cost:
- $4,595
Program Length:
- Anywhere from five to six weeks
- Actual timeline depends on your program
- 44 hours of student driving experience
Scholarships:
- Limited scholarships available
- Potential to qualify for a $1,000 scholarship from SAGE
Financial Aid: The school works with vocational training grant providers to help students fund their education. Not all students will qualify for the grants, but the requirements are worth looking at to see if it’s a possibility for you.
Class Size: The classroom portion of SAGE’s training matches the national average for student-to-teacher ratios. And once you progress and reach the driver training portion of the course, you’ll be one-on-one with your instructor.
Job Placement: Since SAGE is a national school, it has a large network of employers that you can work with to find employment after completing your CDL training. You’ll have plenty of doors opened for you when you attend SAGE.
Virtual Learning:
- In-person training
- Learning platform called ProdriverU
- Access training materials online
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
St. Philip’s College CDL Training
Earn your CDL from the Alamo College’s Workforce Training Network at St. Philip’s College. The training brings great minds together, including SAGE Corporation, Driving Dynamics, and Star Career Training.
Cost:
- $5,900
Program Length:
- Five weeks
Scholarships:
- No scholarships available
Financial Aid: If you are a veteran, an active duty military personnel, or the spouse of an active duty military personnel, inquire with St. Philip’s College to see if you qualify for a grant.
Class Size: St. Philip’s College has a student-to-teacher ratio of 25:1.
Job Placement: The school does not specifically list any partnerships or job placement resources for its graduates.
Virtual Learning:
- Hybrid training option
- Online and in-person courses
- One-on-one in-person driving training
- In-person testing
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
Reyna One-On-One CDL Truck Driver Training
Reyna One-On-One CDL Truck Driver Training offers one of the most affordable CDL training programs in San Antonio. With Reyna, you can earn your Commercial Driver’s License for $2,000.
Cost:
- $2,000 tuition
Program Length:
- Part-time and full-time CDL training available
- Up to three months long
- Refresher course also available
Scholarships:
- No scholarships available
Financial Aid:
- No financial aid options
Class Size:
- Classroom courses available online
- In-person driver training portion
- Driving one-on-one with an instructor
Job Placement:
- No job placement assistance
Virtual Learning:
- Remote training available
- Access to online refresher courses
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
Texas CDL Training
Texas CDL Training offers training for both Class A and Class B CDLs. This is another affordable option for Texans in San Antonio who are looking to get their CDLs. Plus, the school offers training in both English and Spanish.
Cost:
- $4,000
Program Length:
- Up to two months to complete
Scholarships:
- No scholarship opportunities
Financial Aid:
- Financial aid is not available
Class Size:
- Online courses
- In-person driving hours
- One-on-one driving training
Job Placement:
- Does not offer job placement services
Virtual Learning:
- Online training classes
- In-person driving hours
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
How Does CDL Training in San Antonio Work?
When obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Texas, you should start by getting your standard driver’s license if you don’t already have one. From there, you can begin applying for a CDL, though you will need the following information as well:
- Self-certification of medical status
- Proof of registration for your vehicle
- Proof of insurance
- Completed CDL application from a San Antonio driver’s license office
Book an appointment with the driver’s license office. During your appointment, you’ll need to provide the required documentation and identification materials. You’ll also need to pay an application fee.
Once the examiner reviews your information, they’ll take a photo of you and collect your thumbprints. The examiner will then request that you take a vision and knowledge test to complete the learner permit process.
Some CDL schools in San Antonio will guide you through this process, while others require that you complete these steps prior to enrollment in the school. While the process might feel like a lot of work in the moment, it will be worth it because once you begin working as a truck driver, you can look forward to an average truck driver salary of $45,159 in San Antonio.
When earning your CDL, you’ll need to decide which type of license you want. There are three different CDL class types, and they all open the doors to different driving opportunities for truckers.
- Class A: This is the standard CDL class type that you’ll find at most schools. It permits drivers to operate vehicles with a gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds.
- Class B: If you want to be a bus driver or transport passengers, this is the CDL for you.
- Class C: This type of Commercial Driver’s License offers truckers the opportunity to haul hazardous material.
San Antonio Trucking School Facts and Figures
You won’t need to travel to earn your CDL as San Antonio offers several outstanding trucking schools. Check out these stats about CDL licensing schools in the area. We hope this list helps you figure out where to go for your CDL training in San Antonio.
Number of Schools
San Antonio is home to five CDL schools. Most are located on the easternmost side of the city. All of the schools are easy to access thanks to the local highways, meaning the commute to your CDL training classes will be simple.
Number of Students Per Class
The average number of students per CDL training class in San Antonio is about 15. From there, students usually branch off into small groups of four people and learn more about the vehicles within the actual cab of a truck on a smaller scale. Finally, you’ll complete your training one-on-one with an instructor during the driving portion of CDL training school.
Tuition Rates
The average cost of tuition for CDL training in San Antonio is $5,500. However, if you work with certain employers, you might be able to have your truck driver training discounted greatly if not free altogether. or highly discounted.
Average Loan Amount
The average loan amount for truck driver training in San Antonio is $6,636. You can increase your loan amount by selecting a program with scholarships or financial aid available. Some schools will allow you to set up a payment plan so that you can take the training now and pay it off later once you land a CDL truck driving job.
Scholarship
Scholarships for CDL trainees in Texas are often an average of $1,631. However, most schools do not offer scholarships. You’ll need to look into the state schools in Texas or local community colleges if you’re hoping to get a scholarship for your CDL studies.
Job Placement
Trucking jobs are plentiful in Texas as a result of the state’s geographical location. Most schools have high job placement rates, too. Inquire about these rates before you enroll in a program.
San Antonio Truck Driving Employment Facts and Figures
There are numerous job opportunities for truck drivers in San Antonio. Learn more about the largest employers and average salaries of truck drivers in San Antonio to see if a career as a CDL truck driver is right for you!
Employment
San Antonio has several large trucking employers that pay their employees very well. Here’s a look at the top employers in the area and the average salary that their employees earn.
| Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Number of Trucking Jobs |
| Carter Express | $76,174 | 800 |
| AFC Transport | $63,514 | 250 |
| Design Transportation | $118,196 | 99 |
| Triton Logistics | $52,00 | 92 |
| Petroplex Acidizing | $110,967 | 76 |
Salary
The average salary for truck drivers in San Antonio is $45,159. That’s approximately $3,763 per month or weekly earnings of $868. Most truck drivers earn an average of $21.71 per week. However, you’ll earn more as you become more experienced and expand your licensing qualifications over time.
| Experience | Salary | National Average Salary |
| 1 to 3 years | $45,159 | $46,441 |
| 4 to 6 years | $52,128 | $52,773 |
Truck Driving in San Antonio: Great Pay, Benefits, and Experiences
Working as a CDL driver has many perks. You’ll receive great pay and benefits while getting the chance to see various parts of the country on the road. You’ll get to choose which type of driving you want to do, ranging from local deliveries to national trucking and everything in between.
