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Best CDL Training in Houston

Want to learn more about CDL training in Houston but don’t know where to start? We have you covered with our comprehensible and thorough guide on CDL training in Houston. 

Keep reading to learn why a Commercial Driver’s License is the right choice for aspiring truck drivers in Houston. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of CDL training courses in Houston! 

Quicklook: Best CDL Training in Houston

  • 160 Driving Academy 
  • Houston Community College
  • Lonestar College
  • CDL Felipe Service
  • Class A CDL School

Best CDL Training Programs in Houston

After reviewing the best employers to begin the CDL training in Houston program, the time has come to decide which program will launch you into your career. 

160 Driving Academy 

160 Driving Academy offers multiple services that are accredited and keep future drivers on the path to success.  

Cost:

  • $0 with a paid sponsorship

Program Length: 

  • In depth four-week training

Scholarships: 

  • Sponsorships are not available 

Financial Aid: 

  • Not provided by the school
  • Financial aid is not accepted

Class Size: 

  • Four students per class 
  • Individualized results

Job Placement:

  • Job placement assistance 
  • Available through the academy  

Virtual Learning: 

  • In-person classes only

CDL Licenses: 

  • Class A 

Houston Community College

Houston Community College provides students with the keys to a successful truck driving career. Students will receive all of the bells and whistles of a vocational college from the comfort of a community college environment. 

Cost:

  • $3,950

Program Length: 

  • Classes start every two weeks 
  • Six-week program 

Scholarships: 

  • Scholarships are accepted 

Financial Aid: 

  • Financial aid is available 

Class Size:

  • 9-15 students per class 

Job Placement: 

  • Job placement assistance is available 
  • Offered by the community college 

Virtual Learning: 

  • In-person classes 

CDL Licenses: 

  • Class A 

Lonestar College

Lonestar College is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety as a third-party testing center. The institution is in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s entry-level driver training rule. At Lonestar College, students will learn the skills necessary to pursue a career as a truck driver. 

Cost: 

  • Fully paid for if sponsored by Stevens Transport

Program Length: 

  • Anywhere from four to seven weeks

Scholarships: 

  • Scholarships are not available 
  • Scholarships are not accepted 

Financial Aid: 

  • Financial aid is available 

Class Size: 

  • 10-16 students per class

Job Placement:

  • Job placement assistance  

Virtual Learning: 

  • Hybrid classes
  • Virtual and in-person training 

CDL Licenses: 

  • Class A 

CDL Felipe Service

CDL Felipe Service is a CDL training program that shares knowledge with students and instills confidence in aspiring truck drivers, which makes it easier for them to pass the final exam. Students will acquire the truck driving skills required by Texas DPS by the end of the CDL training program. 

Cost:

  • Customized programs
  • Designed on a case-by-case basis 

Program Length: 

  • Six weeks

Scholarships: 

  • Reach out for more information

Financial Aid: 

  • Contact for more information

Class Size: 

  • One-on-one training with an instructor

Job Placement:

  • Job placement assistance is available 
  • Offered through the school 

Virtual Learning:

  • In-person

CDL Licenses: 

  • Class A 
  • Class B 

Class A CDL School

At Class A CDL School, the instructors will walk students through everything they need to know in a step-by-step manner. Students will be equipped with the knowledge they need in order to pass the road test as well as access to trucks and tractors for training purposes.

Cost:

  • Tuition is unknown

Program Length: 

  • Four weeks

Scholarships: 

  • No scholarships available 

Financial Aid:

  • Financial aid is not available 

Class Size: 

  • 1:1 student-to-teacher ratio 

Job Placement: 

  • Job placement not available 

Virtual Learning:

  • In-person classes only 

CDL Licenses:

  • Class A 
  • Class B

How Does CDL Training in Houston Work?

A CDL is a Commercial Driver’s License, which is a type of professional driver’s license that permits the holder of the license to drive large vehicles, like trucks and buses, on public roads. A driver who has obtained a CDL is someone who’s been properly trained in all-things truck driving and has passed the final exam. 

A CDL ensures that you are in compliance with the qualifications of the Department of Public Safety and can subsequently safely operate a large vehicle. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, in order to become a truck driver, an aspiring truck driver must obtain a CDL through an accredited training program. 

In order to enroll in CDL training, you must be at least eighteen years old, able to pass a physical from the Department of Transportation, able to pass a DOT drug test and have a clean driving record. From there, you can pursue CDL training to earn your Commercial Driver’s License. 

After completing CDL training and passing the final exam, you’ll open the doors to numerous truck driving opportunities, especially in Houston. Many companies hire new employees on a daily and weekly basis. Plus, many of these companies offer impressive benefits, like a 401(k), discounts on fuel, healthcare, vision insurance, and dental insurance for both the drivers and their families. 

You’ll likely be offered paid time off (PTO) in addition to your company reimbursing you for toll fees on the road. In addition to an extensive amount of amazing benefits, the starting salary for new CDL drivers in Houston is $74,553 per year. 

Houston Trucking School Facts & Figures

Becoming a professional truck driver is not without minor convictions, CDL training in Houston is possible and can be completed in about eight weeks. Think about those starting salaries at the 2,000 plus companies waiting for applicants fresh out of school. 

Number of Schools

There are many different schools to choose from when looking for somewhere to enroll in CDL training in Houston. The schools are spread across the city, making it easy for anyone in Houston to find a location nearby. 

Number of Students Per Class

Class sizes vary depending on the program you enroll in and where you attend your CDL training courses. For example, at Houston Community College, you can expect to be placed in a CDL training class with about 18 students in total. In general, Houston CDL training class sizes are subjective and dependent on the ongoing nature of class size limits following COVID-19 reopenings.

Tuition Rates

As with any school, tuition for CDL training in Houston costs anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000. 

Average Loan Amount

The average loan amount for CDL training in Houston is about $5,461, according to Lonestar College. 

Scholarship

Houston Community College and Lonestar College allow scholarship options for future CDL holders. Some scholarships will cover up to 80% of the tuition, but it depends on the nature of your scholarship.  

Job Placement

Once you complete your CDL training program and become a professional truck driver, you’ll start applying for available jobs in Houston. If you’re lucky, the school or training program you attend will offer job placement assistance, meaning you’ll already have a job lined up before completing your CDL training.  

Houston Trucking Employment Facts and Figures

After learning about the various schools located in Houston, it’s time to learn more about what it’s like to become an employee! Here are a few Houston trucking employment facts and figures. 

Employment 

In Houston, roughly 2,000 CDL job positions are available and waiting to be filled. Several companies hire new drivers who don’t have any experience, so don’t let your lack of experience in the industry stop you from applying to open positions. Some of the most popular employers in the area include Werner and U.S. Xpress Combo.

Biggest EmployerAverage SalaryCompany Size 
Werner Enterprises$60,15710,000+ employees
U.S. Xpress Combo$1,167 per week10,000+ employees
C.R. England$1,255 per week5,001 to 10,000 employees
Swift Transportation$40,80510,000+ employees
PAM Transport$34,9361,001 to 5,000 employees

Salary

The average starting salary for a truck driver in Houston, Texas, is $70,002 annually. Truck drivers can expect to earn around $5,833.50 monthly and $1,346.19 weekly. 

Get on the Road Faster!

CDL training in Houston makes it possible for aspiring truck drivers to navigate the early stages of their careers. The logistics behind truck driving careers is very in-depth, and taking the time to learn all that you can about the trucking industry before becoming a driver is the best approach.

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