A CDL, or a commercial driver’s license, is required for anyone who’s interested in pursuing a career as a driver of commercial motor vehicles. CDL training is a program that allows students to develop their skills and properly obtain a commercial driver’s license after they complete their training courses. Job placement can range from hauling trailers loaded with heavy equipment, operating commercial vehicles, driving delivery vehicles, and transporting products via freight trucks. These are only a handful of examples that a CDL can bring to life for aspiring truck drivers. Keep reading for more insights, including a list of the best CDL training in Alabama.
Where the best drivers go to find jobs nationwide!
Quicklook: Best CDL Training in Alabama
- Bevill State Community College CDL Training Program
- Affordable Truck Driver Training LLC
- Truck Driver Institute, Inc.
- Calhoun Community College
- ESD School
5 Best CDL Training Programs in Alabama
At this point, we are ready to determine which CDL programs are the best in terms of cost-efficiency, educational engagement, and hands-on experience in Alabama. Here are our top picks!
Bevill State Community College CDL Training Program
The Bevill State Community College Program is located on the Sumiton, Alabama, campus. The truck driver training program provides basic entry-level driving skills relating to the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles and other related regulations.
Cost: $1,700
Program Length: SIx weeks
Financial Assistance: This program offers grants, scholarships, and work-study programs to students who need assistance affording the costs of their education.
Tuition Reimbursement: No
Class Size: 4:1 student to teacher ratio
Job Placement: There is an extensive job placement program in place, which offers assistance that guides students towards the best-suited truck driving companies after graduation.
Online Course: Yes
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
- Manual Class A CDL
- Tanker endorsement certification
Affordable Truck Driver Training LLC
Affordable Truck Driving Training, LLC is located in Moulton. The school, which has been in operation for more than thirty years, is regarded as one of the finest trucker training schools in Alabama.
Cost: $5,000
Program Length: Three weeks
Financial Assistance: This program provides grants, which are available for the purpose of assisting students with financing while they complete their CDL training.
Tuition Reimbursement: This program has partnerships with a number of companies that will seek out tuition reimbursement for students. Inquire within.
Class Size: Unknown
Job Placement: There are job placement services that assist each student in the process of finding the best company to work for in the future.
Online Course: Both in-person and online courses are available.
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
- Manual Class A CDL
- Tanker endorsement certification
Truck Driver Institute, Inc.
The Truck Driver Institute is an established driving school in Alabama. They have a 15+ acre facility that is unlike anything else in the industry.
Cost: $5,000
Program Length: Three weeks
Financial Assistance: This program provides grants to help students afford the CDL training program.
Tuition Reimbursement: Yes, students receive pre-screening to ensure they fit necessary requirements with at least one partnered carrier company.
Class Size: Unknown
Job Placement: There is a fairly extensive job placement program in place at the Truck Driving Institute, Inc.
Online Course: Yes
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
- Class B CDL
Calhoun Community College
The CDL training courses at Calhoun Community College provide training for drivers who are in search of a CDL and related endorsements. Calhoun Community College also offers a myriad of information regarding the federal requirements surrounding a career in truck driving so that aspiring CDL drivers know what to expect in the field.
Cost: $2,950
Program Length: One month
Financial Assistance: Funding is available through the Alabama Career Center or from Sallie Mae funding, though it’s all based on eligibility.
Tuition Reimbursement: No
Class Size: Unknown
Job Placement: Yes
Online Course: Both in-person and online courses are available
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
- Class B CDL
ESD School
The ESD School in Decatur, AL, offers training for both Class A and Class B CDLs. There is also a refresher course available for CDL holders who want to freshen up on their skills.
Cost: $3,500
Program Length: One month
Financial Assistance: Yes, financial assistance is available
Tuition Reimbursement: Reimbursement is offered by numerous entities and companies, and the ESD School can put students in contact with an eligible tuition reimbursement service.
- Alabama WIOA (statewide)
- Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
- Alabama TTA/TRA
- Telemon and more
Class Size: Unknown
Job Placement: Yes
Online Course: Both in-person and online courses are available
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
- Class B CDL
How Does CDL Training in Alabama Work?
CDL-certified job opportunities are in abundance, especially because these positions are in extremely high demand all over the country. It’s important that all of the available CDL training programs offer a way for students to successfully enter the trucking industry with the knowledge and skillsets that these jobs require.
Alabama Trucking School Facts and Figures
As we get a handle on what a CDL is and what kinds of CDL programs Alabama offers, let’s take a look at some of the state’s averages when it comes to CDL training and respective financial assistance opportunities.
Number of Schools
There are approximately 27 CDL schools in Alabama, many of which are located in Oxford or the surrounding area.
Number of Students per Class
The average number of students you would expect to see in a CDL training class in Alabama is about 19 students.
Tuition Rates
The average tuition cost for CDL training programs in Alabama is about $3,950.
Average Loan Amount
The average loan amount for CDL schools in Alabama is around $4,650.
Scholarship
The average scholarship amount for schools in Alabama is about $2,425.
Job Placement
Many of the CDL schools in Alabama have job placement assistance programs that help to ensure students can find, apply for, and be hired for jobs in the industry. These jobs are often lined up as offers for graduates who go on to become inexperienced drivers. If a CDL school can say that they have a high job placement success rate, then that school is worth considering as it means you’ll have a better chance of finding a job after graduating from your CDL training program.
Alabama Trucking Employment Facts and Figures
The likelihood that you’ll be offered a job opportunity after completing your CDL training is something you should definitely think about when considering which CDL program is best for you. Other details to keep in mind include the size of the company and the average salary of the company’s employees.
Employment
| Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Company Size |
| Independent Landstar Agent | $44,461 | About 300 employees |
| Buddy Moore Trucking | $60,171 | About 500 employees |
| K&B Transportation | $74,459 | About 1000 employees |
| V-C Trucking, LLC | $41,324 | About 300 employees |
| Wiley Sanders | $35,028 | About 55 employees |
Salary
Weekly: The average weekly pay ranges from $560 to $1,200.
Monthly: The average monthly payment is about $3,450.
Yearly: The average base salary is $57,760 per year.
Which CDL Program is Right For You?
There are a number of CDL training programs throughout Alabama, but figuring out which one is best for you can take some time. With FreightWaves, the process of choosing a CDL training school in Alabama can be a lot easier!
FAQ
The average cost of tuition in Alabama can range from $1,500 to $6,000.
There are 50 questions on the CDL permit test in Alabama.
On average, it takes about seven weeks to get your CDL when attending a full-time driver training program in New Jersey.
