Did you know that commercial truck drivers can make more than $60,000 per year after as little as two weeks of training? Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training in Iowa is a quick path to a stable, long-term career.
Iowa is home to some of the largest shipping companies in the country. The state relies heavily on shipping both internally and externally, making the pursuit of CDL training in Iowa a smart and lucrative career move.
Quicklook: Best CDL Training in Iowa
- DMACC Transport Institute
- Northland CDL Training
- Hawkeye Community College Regional Transportation Training Center
- Western Iowa Tech Community College
4 Best CDL Training Programs in Iowa
If you are ready to start CDL training in Iowa, here are some of the best CDL training programs to choose from!
DMACC Transport Institute
The Des Moines Area Community College offers professional training for people who need to obtain a CDL in order to enter the trucking industry and pursue a career as a truck driver.
Representatives from several trucking companies recruit directly from the DMACC, meaning you could be scouted and line up a job for yourself to start right after you complete your training. Daytime classes start every three weeks, while evening classes start on four separate occasions throughout the year.
Cost:
- $4,500 plus $700 in fuel, books, and fees for Class A
- $2,250 plus $500 in fuel, books, and fees for Class B
Program Length: The program takes anywhere from two weeks to four months to fully complete. The exact time will depend on the amount of time you plan to invest and the type of CDL you are pursuing.
Financial Assistance:
- Financial assistance to qualified students
Tuition Reimbursement: DMACC Transport Institute offers a deferred tuition plan if your employer offers tuition reimbursement benefits.
Class Size:
- 18 students on average
Job Placement: DMACC Transport Institute facilitates job placement through its relationships with many large transport companies.
Online Course:
- In-person only
- Daytime classes
- Nighttime classes
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
- Class B CDL
Northland CDL Training
Northland CDL offers both CDL training and testing services. The company prides itself on the fact that over 99% of students achieve a pass rate of over 99% on their first try.
Cost:
- Anywhere from $150 to $2,400
- Depends on the program you choose
Program Length: The program length varies from three hours to one month, depending on prior qualifications. On average, most people complete the course within one week.
Financial Assistance:
- None available
Tuition Reimbursement:
- No
Class Size:
- Not public
Job Placement:
- None available
Online Course:
- In-person classes only
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
- Class B CDL
- CDL with passenger and school bus endorsement
Hawkeye Community College Regional Transportation Training Center
With regional campuses all throughout Iowa, Hawkeye Community College offers comprehensive Class A and Class B CDL training. You’ll have the option to choose between in-person classes or hybrid online courses.
Cost:
- Between $1,000 and $8,000
- Median cost of $5,000
Program Length:
- Two hours to two years
- Varies based on program
Financial Assistance:
- Available through the following:
- Individual funding
- Company funding
- Private loans
- Employer reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement:
- Employer-based tuition reimbursement
Class Size:
- 21 students
Job Placement:
- No
Online Course:
- Hybrid online courses
- In-person courses
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Bus driver training
- Construction equipment operator training
- Highway construction training
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Located in Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College boasts a 98% employment rate for graduates of their four-week CDL Class A course.
Cost:
- Between $163 and $7,000
- Depends on financial aid
Program Length:
- 4 weeks
Financial Assistance:
- Tuition assistance is available
- Free tuition in some cases
Tuition Reimbursement:
- Available from several employers
Class Size:
- 16 students
Job Placement: Job placements are available. Western Iowa Tech Community College helps match students with some of the best companies in the U.S.
Online Course:
- In-person only
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
How Does CDL Training in Iowa Work?
Iowa CDL training is the process of obtaining certification to drive a commercial vehicle or long-haul truck. The training process can be completed in as little as one day, but typical courses take at least 216 hours of classroom instruction along with driving practice hours.
Obtaining a CDL in Iowa opens the door to a variety of short and long-haul truck driving opportunities. In fact, there are more than 37,000 truck driving jobs in Iowa. The average yearly salary for a truck driver in Iowa is about $42,000. Here are some additional important facts and figures for you to read when figuring out if CDL training is right for you!
Iowa Trucking School Facts & Figures
With an abundance of schools offering everything from 1-day courses to community college degrees, it is possible for anyone to obtain a CDL in Iowa.
Number of Schools
There are more than 25 schools that offer CDL training in Iowa. Most CDL schools are located in and around various major cities, including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Sioux City.
Even so, programs can be found in nearly every part of the state. No matter where in Iowa you live, you should be able to drive to a CDL school in less than an hour.
Number of Students Per Class
The number of students per class will vary based on the program and the location of the school. A one-day course might have more students than a community college course. However, the average number of students per class for CDL training in Iowa is typically 21 students.
Tuition Rates
Tuition rates vary by the type of course, the length of the course, and the institution offering the course. On average, CDL training in Iowa costs around $9,293.
Average Loan Amount
Loans are available for both full and partial coverage of CDL training in Iowa. The average loan amount is approximately $6,165 for CDL Training in Iowa.
Scholarship
There are both national and local scholarships available for anyone looking to undergo CDL training in Iowa. Examples of these scholarships include the Women in Trucking Foundation Scholarship.
Since scholarships are highly competitive, apply early. Submit applications to as many as possible. The average scholarship amount awarded to students pursuing CDL training in Iowa is about $2,449.
Job Placement
Iowa’s economy is reliant on the shipping industry, making job placement after CDL training a breeze. Many commercial trucking companies will even pay for CDL training for their prospective employees as part of on-the-job training.
Iowa Truck Driving Employment Facts and Figures
Even before beginning CDL training courses, it’s important to figure out if there will be good employment opportunities for you once you complete your CDL training. Let us help you!
Here are some basic employment facts regarding CDL-related jobs in Iowa.
Employment
There are more than 37,000 truck drivers in Iowa, with another 29,000 job listings on ZipRecruiter currently seeking people to fill the roles of truck drivers in Iowa. The three largest employers of truck drivers in Iowa are Keane Thummel Trucking, Keim TS, and Dickey Transport.
| Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Company Size |
| TMC Transportation | $50,302 | 5,000 employees |
| Ruan Transport | $55,607 | 5,600 employees |
| Heartland Express | $52,850 | 3,600 employees |
| Manatt’s | $66,200 | 600 employees |
Salary
The average yearly salary for a truck driver in Iowa is $45,556. The average monthly salary is $3,796 while the average weekly salary is $900.
National Average Pay
Annual Iowan truck driver salaries are slightly lower than the national truck driver salary of $51,355. However, annual salaries of Iowa-based truck drivers are nearly the same as the average salary of truck drivers in other states.
For example, working as a truck driver in Iowa will earn you less money than you would make driving trucks in Massachusetts, Hawaii, and New York. But compared to states with costs of living that are comparable to the cost of living in Iowa, truck driving salaries are similar.
Largest Employers in Iowa
Iowa is home to some of the largest long-haul trucking companies in the country. Some of the biggest employers of truck drivers in Iowa include the following:
- TMC Transportation
- Ruan Transport
- Heartland Express
- Manatt’s
TMC Transportation
Located in Des Moines, Iowa, TMC Transportation is the largest privately-held flatbed carrier company in the USA. With over 5,000 employees and an annual revenue of $713.1 million, TMC transport offers an abundance of opportunities for truck drivers in Iowa.
Ruan Transport
Based in Des Moines, Ruan Transport employs over 5,600 people. The company offers logistics management, fleet management, warehousing assistance, and so much more. Ruan Transport’s annual revenue tops $1.3 billion. Plus, the company prides itself on fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Heartland Express
Heartland Express is a public company based in North Liberty. With 3,600 employees, Heartland Express has been known to offer some of the most attractive driving positions in the industry, all while providing a safe workplace for their employees. Heartland Express brings in an annual revenue of $548.8 million.
Manatt’s
Another place to obtain your CDL training from is a company called Manatt’s. Based in Brooklyn, Iowa, Manatt’s offers trucks for concrete paving, seal coating, trench digging, and more. Manatt’s has 600 employees and earns an annual revenue of more than $280 million.
FAQ
Obtaining a CDL in Iowa can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $10,000. Costs vary based on the type of program you pursue. Scholarships are available to help you cover around half of your tuition costs.
A: To renew your CDL in Iowa, you will need one of the following legal documents: U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, Consular report of birth abroad, Certificate of citizenship, and Permanent residence card. You will also need to provide documentation that proves your Iowa residence, whether that’s via postmarked mail, utility bills, paystubs, or bank statements.
Yes. The Iowa CDL test contains 50 multiple-choice questions. The test includes hints and explanations. You will need to get a score of at least 80% or 40 correct questions in order to pass the Iowa CDL test.
