Best CDL Training in Arizona

With truck driving being the booming industry that it is, there is no better time than now to get involved. Arizona offers great opportunities for truck drivers, and the state is in close proximity to other states that are also experiencing a high demand for drivers. 

When you take advantage of the opportunities to train and gain experience in the trucking industry, you’ll thrive as a truck driver in Arizona. Let’s take a closer look at how CDL training in Arizona works as well as the best CDL training schools! 

Quicklook: Best CDL Training in Arizona

• Arizona CDL Truck School
• HDS Truck Driving Institute
• Swift Trucking School
• Southwest Truck Driver Training
• Phoenix Truck Driving School at Mohave Community College

Best CDL Training Programs in Arizona

Ready to get started? Here is a list of some of the best CDL training programs in Arizona.

Arizona CDL Truck School

This program is slightly out of the norm compared to similar training courses. In the CDL Truck School, you’ll learn mostly on your own by reading through a CDL training packet. The packet will teach you valuable skills, and you’ll even learn how to operate both automatic and manual trucks.

Cost: 

• $2,000 

Program Length: 

• Seven days

Financial Assistance: 

• State grants

Tuition Reimbursement: There do not seem to be any tuition reimbursement programs available. 

Class Size: 

• No classes
• Learn from a packet 

Job Placement: Yes

Online Course: 

• Fully remote learning 
• Learn at home via the provided CDL packet 

CDL Licenses: 

• Class A
• Class B
• Passenger bus

HDS Truck Driving Institute

For over 30 years, HDS Truck Driving Institute has been dedicated to training truck drivers on how to be the best. In that time, HDS Truck Driving Institute has established connections and relationships with numerous companies, making it possible for HDS to offer some of the best job opportunities to their graduates.

Cost: According to Indeed, due to the variety of courses, their training program can range anywhere from $3,500 to $10,000. 

Program Length: 

• 26 weeks for Class A and Class B licensing courses
• Four weeks for only the Class B licensing course 

Financial Assistance: HDS Truck Driving Institute has relationships and connections with multiple agencies that provide financial assistance to qualifying individuals. 

• MYCAA
• VA Benefits, like GI Bill benefits or Voc Rehab perks 
• Arizona Department of Economic Security Rehabilitation Services

Tuition Reimbursement: Yes

Class Size: N/A

Job Placement: They help you find a job that you can start shortly after graduating by helping you apply for jobs well before graduation. 

Online Course: No

CDL Licenses: 

• Class A 
• Class B

Swift Trucking School

With twelve different locations, Swift Trucking School is perfect for anyone looking to earn their license through reliable CDL training courses. Swift Trucking School also offers fully-paid college tuition to Southern New Hampshire University so that future truck drivers can earn their degrees while they are employed with Swift. Keep in mind that if you go through the Swift Trucking School training program, the end goal is to work for the company as a truck driver.

Cost: 

• No upfront costs 
• See tuition reimbursement

Program Length: 

• Two-week courses 
• Three-week courses

Financial Assistance: 

• First responders 
• Military scholarships

Tuition Reimbursement: Swift Trucking School will cover the upfront costs of their CDL training program, meaning you won’t have to pay anything until you start working for the company. Swift will then take payments out of your paychecks over the course of thirteen months, at which point you will have paid the installments that you owe to Swift. You can get more information about this process by speaking with a Swift recruiter. 

Class Size: 

• Four students per class 

Job Placement: Yes

Online Course: Yes 

CDL Licenses: 

• Class A

Southwest Truck Driver Training

Southwest Truck Driver Training is a completely independent training company that has no affiliations or incentives to push you towards working for a company that you don’t want to work for. They have the connections and the reputation necessary to get you into your desired field of employment, whether that be across the country or locally. 

Cost: 

• Between $3,000 to $10,000
• Sometimes more expensive 

Program Length: 

• 4 weeks

Financial Assistance: 

• GI Bill benefits 
• State grants
• In-house financing 

Tuition Reimbursement: No

Class Size: N/A

Job Placement: Yes

Online Course: Yes

CDL Licenses: 

• Class A
• Class B

Phoenix Truck Driving School at Mohave Community College

Mohave Community College works alongside Phoenix Truck Driving School to offer a truck driving course that will prepare you to get your CDL. They’ll help you to start your job application process while still in school, too. That way, you can get started working as a truck driver as soon as possible. 

Cost: 

• $300 

Program Length: 

• Four weeks 

Financial Assistance: For further assistance or guidance regarding financial support, contact the Phoenix Truck Driving Institute. 

• Scholarships
• Veterans Benefits

Tuition Reimbursement: Mohave Community College does not offer any tuition reimbursement programs, but aid is available through the Phoenix Truck Driving Institute. 

Class Size: N/A

Job Placement: Yes

Online Course: No

CDL Licenses: 

• Class A

How Does CDL Training in Arizona Work?

Also known as a Commercial Driver’s License, a CDL is required to drive larger vehicles. There are different degrees and requirements for each of the three types of CDLs, but with a Class A license, you’ll be certified for every subsequent level. With a Class A license, you could operate multiple types of trucks and traverse various roadway conditions, like local deliveries or long-distance drives. 

Arizona Trucking School Facts and Figures

Before diving headfirst into the specific schools and training courses available in Arizona, let’s first explore some of the facts and figures surrounding CDL training options in the state. 

Number of Schools

According to AllTrucking.com, there are more than 20 total trucking schools in the state of Arizona. You will find that almost all of these schools are located in the southwest region of Arizona, specifically in and around Phoenix and Tucson. 

Number of Students Per Class

On average, you will likely see class sizes of about 20 students. This number fluctuates depending on the exact school you attend and the number of students who are taking CDL courses in any given year. If you are taking CDL courses in a city like Phoenix, there will be more students per class as cities are more highly populated. 

Tuition Rates

Truck driving is an easy career to get into, particularly because training is inexpensive. However, every company or trainer will charge their own prices and offer different depths of training, so it’s difficult to state an exact tuition rate. That being said, tuition can cost anywhere from $1,000 to more than $10,000.

Average Loan Amount

Truck driver training does not cost as much as the average college degree. This is reflected in their overall pricing and loan amounts. On average, a trucking school loan will amount to $6,500, which can fluctuate depending on how much your course costs and what your training location charges. 

Scholarship

The average scholarship amount that you will find in Arizona is around $2,600. This can be influenced by how many students apply for the scholarship or limited to a select number of qualifying students. When looking into local CDL training programs, make sure you ask about the scholarship opportunities that are available for you. 

Job Placement

With the high demand for truckers across the country, companies are always looking for additional drivers. When you complete a CDL program, it’s likely that you will receive job placement assistance. Most times, companies will sponsor a training program to draw more drivers to their company, and other times, training programs will be third-party companies that can remain unbiased when helping you choose an employer. 

Arizona Trucking Employment Facts and Figures

To gain a better understanding of the CDL programs available in Arizona, here are some Arizona trucking employment facts and figures! 

Employment 

In general, Arizona has plenty of employment opportunities for truck drivers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona employs anywhere from 25,000 to over 42,000 truck drivers as of May 2020. 

Here are some of the biggest and most well-known employers in Arizona.

Employer	Average Salary	Company Size
Swift Transportation	$41,544	Over 10,000
System Transport	$45,520	1,001 to 5,000
CTI, Inc	$60,285	501 to 1,000
Legend Transportation, Inc	$75,399	1,001 to 5,000
STIG LLC	$61,700	50 to 249

Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck driver salaries in Arizona are lower than truck driving salaries in other parts of the U.S. However, keep in mind that the cost of living in Arizona is also lower than other parts of the country, so a lower salary in Arizona can still take you farther than a higher salary elsewhere. 

Here is the weekly, monthly, and yearly breakdown of average truck driver salaries in Arizona: 

Weekly: $1,013

Monthly: $4,055

Yearly: $48,670

Invest in Success  

In order to succeed, you have to invest in yourself. This does not necessarily mean you should pay your entire tuition out of pocket. You can invest in yourself in other ways, like choosing an impressive CDL training course and applying for the truck driving jobs that you want to pursue. 

FAQ