Become an on-the-road truck driver by gaining knowledge and experience with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). If you are in the Connecticut area, you will need to follow the requirements of the Department of Transportation before you can start earning a comfortable living by driving trucks on the road.
There are so many CDL training opportunities in Connecticut. In no time, you could be working for a company that offers benefits galore, the opportunity to pick your hours and experience a better work-life balance. Let’s take a closer look at how CDL training in Connecticut works!
Where the best drivers go to find jobs nationwide!
Quicklook: Best CDL Training in Connecticut
- Affordable CDL Training School
- 5 Star CDL Training
- New England Tractor Training School
- Allstate Commercial Driving School
- Tristate Driving School
Best CDL Training Programs in Connecticut
Before choosing an employer to work for as a CDL truck driver, drivers must first complete a DOT-required course and obtain their CDL through an accredited CDL training program in Connecticut.
Affordable CDL Training School
Approved by the Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education, the Affordable CDL Training School offers fast and flexible programs for those just beginning to enter the trucking industry.
Cost:
- $3,800
Program Length:
- Three weeks
Scholarships:
- Unknown
Financial Aid:
- Financial aid is accepted
- Resources not provided
Class Size:
- Three students per class
Job Placement:
- Yes
Virtual Learning:
- No virtual classes
- Classes are flexible
- Courses offered day and night
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Forklift operator licensing
5 Star CDL Training
With over 75 years of experience, 5 Star CDL Training wants its students to learn from the best of the best. It’s an amazing CDL training program for aspiring truck drivers!
Cost:
- $4,500
Program Length:
- 20 days
Scholarships:
- Scholarships are available
Financial Aid:
- Financial aid is provided and accepted
Class Size:
- One-on-one experience
Job Placement:
- Job placement assistance
Virtual Learning:
- In-person classes only
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
New England Tractor Training School
With two Connecticut-based locations to choose from, the New England Tractor Training School offers the very best training program to all of its students. The goal is to set their CDL students up for success in their trucking careers.
Cost:
- $11,995
Program Length:
- On average around 600 hours
- Exact length depends on the course
Scholarships:
- Yes
Financial Aid:
- Financial aid is accepted
- Offered through the school
Class Size:
- 10-20 students
- 15 students on average
Job Placement:
- Job placement opportunities
Virtual Learning:
- In person classes
- Hands-on driving courses
- Behind-the-wheel experience
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
Allstate Commercial Driving School
Allstate Commercial Driving School allows CDL students the flexibility to choose their schedules and receive their certifications quickly. Allstate provides value through low-class sizes and job placement opportunities prior to the completion of CDL training.
Cost:
- $4,500
Program Length:
- Anywhere from 2 weeks to 90 days
Scholarships:
- Scholarships available
Financial Aid:
- Financial aid available
Class Size:
- 1:1 student-to-teacher ratio
Job Placement:
- Job assistance is available
Virtual Learning:
- In-person courses
- Flexible hours
- Training during the day, at night, and on weekends
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Forklift operator training
- Passenger bus training
Tristate Driving School
Tristate Driving School is known for the way it offers exceptional courses to students for Commercial Driver’s License programs that are accredited by DOT. Tristate Driving School makes it possible for students to prepare for success in their truck driving careers.
Cost:
- $7,500
Program Length:
- 4 weeks as a full-time student
- Longer for part-time students
Scholarships:
- Scholarships are available
Financial Aid:
- Financial aid is available
Class Size:
- 5 students
Job Placement:
- Job placement assistance available
- Offered through the school
Virtual Learning:
- In-person courses
- Classes offered day and night
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
How Does CDL Training in Connecticut Work?
A CDL is a Commercial Driver’s License which is a type of certification that permits people to operate heavy machinery. CDLs allow people who enter the trucking industry to operate large vehicles, which are also known as commercial vehicles.
Once future truck drivers complete training and obtain their CDL, drivers in Connecticut can apply to over 12,000 jobs and eventually secure an average salary of $48,954 per year. Companies hire new and experienced drivers alike, so the opportunities are endless.
Connecticut Trucking School Facts and Figures
Before applying for your dream job in the trucking industry, you must complete CDL training. This typically happens in a specialized CDL school or through a CDL program offered to prospective truck drivers.
Number of Schools
In Connecticut, there are five dedicated schools for truck driver education. The schools are conveniently located all throughout the state. This means that anyone within a 25-mile radius can find a school that best suits their financial needs and qualifications when pursuing CDL training.
Number of Students Per Class
When selecting a school or program, you should consider the number of students per instructor. Most of Connecticut’s driver education courses offer one-on-one training rather than offering group classes. However, when it comes to Connecticut CDL training opportunities that teach courses in groups, there are typically fifteen students and one instructor per class.
Tuition Rates
Choosing a school that best suits your financial needs is important. On average, tuition for most Connecticut CDL schools is $6,889.
Average Loan Amount
Decide which type of loan you need to apply for in order to cover the costs of your tuition. The average loan amount for a CDL training school in Connecticut is $5,400.
Scholarship
Scholarships are available for those who need assistance when it comes to paying their tuition. The average scholarship amount for CDL schools in Connecticut is $2,343.
Job Placement
After graduating from a CDL training school in Connecticut, some schools will offer job placement assistance. For instance, the Allstate Commercial Driver Training School provides its students with help when it comes to finding a job after completing CDL training.
Connecticut Trucking Employment Facts and Figures
Upon completion of a CDL training course in Connecticut, drivers are ready to take on the road. Finding a company with an employer-employee relationship that you are comfortable with is the secret to a long and successful career.
Employment
According to ZipRecruiter, there is over 12,000 truck driving jobs in Connecticut. Many renowned companies, like Penske, are currently hiring for truck driver positions and offering exceptional annual salaries.
| Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Company Size |
| Penske Truck Leasing | $21.46 per hour | more than 10,000 |
| Kuehne+Nagel | $43,969 | more than 10,000 |
| Sysco | $81,727 | more than 10,000 |
| Marten Transport | $65,687 | 1001 to 5,000 |
| XPO Logistics | $33.71 per hour | more than 10,000 |
Salary
The average salary for a freight truck driver in Connecticut is as follows:
- $48,954 yearly
- $4,079.50 monthly
- $941.42 weekly
National Average Pay
When compared to the national average CDL salary, Connecticut ranks just under the $55,985 mark. Companies in Connecticut that are currently hiring truck drivers have increased their average pay by 12% since the pandemic.
Largest Employers in Connecticut
Trucking companies in Connecticut are always hiring. In fact, companies like Penske, XPO Logistics, and Transport America are in urgent need of CDL drivers.
Penske Logistics
As a trucking company that offers nationwide services, Penske Logistics is a subsidiary of Penske Truck and Leasing. Penske is currently hiring Class A CDL drivers who can deliver value. Penske Logistics offers an extensive benefits program including health, dental insurance, and vision insurance, as well as bonuses, guaranteed at-home time, and an $85,000 starting salary.
Kuehne + Nagel
Kuehne + Nagel offers competitive pay rates, employee discounts, and more as part of their comprehensive benefits packages for Class A CDL drivers. The beginning pay for already-licensed Class A CDL drivers is $82,000 annually. Preference is given to drivers who are able to work in various weather conditions and meet strict deadlines.
RTM Lines
RTM Lines has been in the industry for over 40 years. As a company that values integrity and reliability, RTM Lines offers transportation by way of cargo carriers and over-the-road drivers. Preference is provided to drivers who have at least three years of experience as a CDL operator, and it’s best to have this on your resume before applying to any open trucking positions with RTM Lines.
Calloway Logistics
The relocation experts at Calloway Logistics continue to make waves in the trucking industry. As a leading employer that cares about the values and integrity of their drivers, Calloway Logistics starts their CDL operators at an impressive hourly wage paired with comprehensive benefits.
XPO Logistics
As a cutting-edge logistics company, XPO Logistics maintains the values of technology-based programs to provide customers with an innovative experience. XPO Logistics offers competitive pay rates as well as over $7,000 in bonuses per quarter. Extensive benefits and employee retention bonuses await drivers who are looking for a long-term career with XPO Logistics.
CDL Drivers are in High Demand
Completing your CDL training and obtaining your Commercial Driver’s License is just the start. In Connecticut, trucking ports are in abundance, and companies have a lot of job opportunities that they are waiting for CDL drivers to fill.
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