CDL Training Illinois

With its main headquarters located in the United States, Illinois is an ideal place for people who are looking to become commercial drivers, whether as a long-haul driver or a short-haul driver. Illinois offers four types of commercial driver’s licenses or CDLs, including Classes A, B, C, and D. 

Furthermore, Illinois has excellent CDL training programs all across the state. Today, we’ve narrowed it down to the 6 best CDL training schools in Illinois. With any of these programs, you’ll get to experience some of the best CDL training in Illinois.

Quicklook: Best CDL Training Schools in Illinois

• Alamo Truck Driving School – Match Now
• Blue Horizons Truck Driving School – Match Now
• Midwest Technical Institute – Match Now
• Prairie State College – Match Now
• 160 Driving Academy – Match Now
• Southeastern Illinois College – Match Now

Best CDL Training Programs in Illinois

These schools blend excellent teaching and a focus on safety with practicality and affordability. That way, there’s something for everyone. 

Alamo Truck Driving School

Alamo Truck Driving School is based in Chicago. They offer day, evening, and weekend courses for CDL training in Illinois. They have the highest success rate of any CDL training program in Illinois in terms of passing the exams. 

Cost: 

• Low end: $2,600
• High end: $4,695

Program Length: 

• Class A program
• 200 hours total 

Financial Assistance: Alamo Truck Driving School does not offer financial aid, but students may be eligible for state-sponsored scholarships, grants, and loans. 

Tuition Reimbursement: Some of the companies that are partnered with Alamo Truck Driving School offer tuition reimbursement. Contact Alamo Truck Driving School for more details.

Class Size: 5

Job Placement: Yes, Alamo Truck Driving School works with companies to provide job placement to students. 

Course Location: In-person only

CDL Licenses: 

• CDL A
• Truck, bus, or other commercial operators
• CDL refresher

Blue Horizon Truck Driving School

Blue Horizon Truck Driving School has been in operation for over 30 years in the Chicago area. They offer comprehensive CDL training for Class A, B, and C CDLs. They offer multilingual courses with five language options. They also have a high priority for safety. 

Cost:

• Low end: $2,890
• High end: $4,875

Program Length: 

• 2-8 weeks
• Depending on the course

Financial Assistance: 

• WIOA Program 
• Veterans’ Assistance

Tuition Reimbursement:  Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement, if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Blue Horizons Truck Driving School to find out more.

Class Size: 12

Job Placement: Yes, Blue Horizon Truck Driving School offers job placement

Course Location: In-person only

CDL Licenses: 

• CDL A 
• CDL refresher 

Midwest Technical Institute

Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield offers comprehensive CDL training in Illinois that can be completed in about 20 days. Their small class sizes and flexible training times make it possible for drivers to earn their CDL certification quickly. 

Cost: $5,000

Program Length: 

• 20 days
• 140 hours to 20 weeks
• Exact timeline depends on the program

Financial Assistance: WIOA Program

Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools that offer tuition reimbursement, but this typically only happens if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Midwest Technical Institute to learn more. 

Class Size: Small class sizes

Job Placement: Lifetime job placement assistance

Course Location: In-person only

CDL Licenses: 

•  Class A
•  Class B
•  Class C

Prairie State College

Prairie State College in Chicago Heights offers an apprenticeship program with on-the-job training. Plus, there’s no payment required upfront. Prairie State College has partnered with 160 Driving Academy to offer comprehensive CDL training in Illinois that only takes roughly 22 days to complete.  

Cost: $3,995

Program Length: 160 hours

Financial Assistance: WIOA Program

Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement as long as the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Prairie State College to find out more.

Class Size: 20

Job Placement: No

Course Location: 

• Online
• In person 

CDL Licenses: 

• Class A CDL 
• Customizable business group training

160 Driving Academy

Located in Peoria, 160 Driving Academy is known for the way it has helped graduates work some of the highest-paid truck driving jobs in Illinois. In addition to a Class A CDL, 160 Driving Academy offers training for hazmat drivers as well as double or triple trailer endorsements. Training for a Class A CDL can usually be completed in as little as 4 weeks. Training costs about $250. 

Cost: 

• Low end: $1,200 
• High end: $6,500

Program Length: 160 hours

Financial Assistance: Yes

Tuition Reimbursement: There are opportunities for tuition reimbursement with 160 Driving Academy.

Class Size: Small class sizes

Job Placement: Yes

Course Location: 

Online and in-person available.

CDL Licenses:

• CDL A
• CDL Refresher

Southeastern Illinois College

Southeastern Illinois College offers an 8-week CDL training program as well as job placement opportunities. With small class sizes, personalized instructions, and the chance for job placement prior to course completion, Southeastern Illinois College creates a clear path to those interested in starting a career in trucking. 

Cost: $3,146 to $3,872

Program Length: 8 weeks

Financial Assistance: Financial assistance, scholarships, and payment plans may be available. Contact Southeastern Illinois College for more details. 

Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement, if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Southeastern Illinois College to find out more about their job placement partners.  

Class Size: 15

Job Placement: Yes

Course Location: In-person classes only

CDL Licenses: 

• Class A CDL 

How Does CDL Training in Illinois Work?

To drive a truck in Illinois or across state lines, you must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). There are four classes of CDL licenses as well as seven special endorsements, including hazardous materials, school bus, and charter bus endorsements. 

Truckers are in high demand across the country. Someone who earns a CDL in Illinois can expect regular work or opportunities to build a business as an owner-operator. The median salary for a truck driver in Illinois is $48,172.

Illinois Trucking School Facts & Figures

Now that you know the specifics of CDL training schools in Illinois, let’s take a look at some of the broader facts about obtaining a CDL in Illinois. 

Number of Schools

There are more than 20 CDL training schools in Illinois. The majority are around the metropolitan area of Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria. 

Number of Students per Class

Truck schools in Illinois have an average enrollment of 15 students per month. Class sizes are small, with the average class containing anywhere from 5 to 15 students. 

Tuition Rates

Tuition rates for CDL training in Illinois range from $1,200 to $6,500. 

Average Loan Amount

Tuition costs and loans vary widely for CDL training schools in Illinois. The exact loan amount that a student can expect to receive will be affected by the total cost of tuition as well as whether or not the student receives tuition reimbursement. It is possible to graduate without a loan from CDL training in Illinois. 

Scholarship

Many CDL training programs in Illinois offer financial assistance and scholarships through the WIOA Program. Scholarships for Illinois CDL training vary from nearly 100% tuition reimbursement to smaller partial scholarships. 

Job Placement

98% of students in some top Illinois training programs have a job they want within 6 months of graduation. Many programs offer job placement even before graduation. As truck drivers are in high demand in Illinois, most graduates are satisfied with their job opportunities after graduation. 

Illinois Trucking Employment Facts & Figures

Let’s take a look at some facts and figures regarding the employment opportunities of drivers in Illinois. 

Employment 

The Chicago area is home to over 37,000 truck drivers, the third highest concentration of truck drivers in the nation. There are also over 36,000 truck driver jobs listed on Indeed.com at the time of writing.  

Biggest Employer	Average Salary	Company Size
J.B. Hunt	$67,695	10,000+ Employees
Hogan Transportation Companies	$62,308	1,001 to 5,000 Employees
Schneider	$98,000	10,000+ Employees
UPS	$37,880	10,000+ Employees
Werner Enterprises	$59,658	10,000+ Employees

Salary

The median salary for a truck driver in Illinois is $48,172 per year. Here is the salary breakdown:

Weekly: $926

Monthly: $4014

Yearly: $48,172

CDL Training Illinois for New Careers

With the high demand for truck drivers nationwide, and Illinois’ strategic placement near the center of the country, truck drivers in Illinois have excellent career prospects. There are many CDL jobs in Illinois. CDL training in Illinois opens many new financial possibilities. 

There are scholarships, job placement, and apprenticeships to make CDL training in Illinois more affordable for anyone. There is even paid CDL training Illinois.  If you’ve considered CDL training, Illinois offers the resources and support to make it happen in as little as 20 days of training. 

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