Kentucky has a booming manufacturing sector. As a result, the transportation network is well-developed with plenty of work for those with a Commercial Driver’s License CDL. Qualified truckers command a decent salary, which makes this career choice attractive.
Kentucky has plenty of CDL trucking schools offering the necessary training to would-be drivers. Here’s a rundown of the employment and training environment in the Kentucky trucking industry.
Where the best truck drivers go to find jobs nationwide!
Quicklook: Best CDL Training Schools in Kentucky
- Bluegrass CDL Academy
- Gateway Community and Technical College
- Lake Cumberland CDL Training
- CDL Training Services
- Truck America Training
Best CDL Training Programs in Kentucky
Here are our top picks of the best CDL training programs in Kentucky.
Bluegrass CDL Academy
Based in Lexington, the Bluegrass CDL Academy offers one on one behind the wheel training. This ensures that you get the special attention you need. Their four-week course is reasonably priced and they can assist with finance.
Cost: $4,000 cash and $4,500 for a financed option
Program Length: 160 hours over four weeks.
Financial Assistance: The academy offers several finance options. They also partner with outside companies that offer financial assistance.
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies associate with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Bluegrass CDL Academy to find out more.
Class Size: Not disclosed but the academy advertises small classes
Job Placement: Bluegrass CDL Academy helps with graduate job searches
Course Location:
- Classroom
- On-the-road training
CDL Licenses:
- CDL Class A
Gateway Community and Technical College
Gateway Community and Technical College offer students a real on-campus experience. The four-week full-time course is reasonably priced but funding options may be limited. The college helps to place qualifying drivers.
Cost: $4,125
Program Length: 160 hours classroom and on and off-road training over four weeks
Financial Assistance: Funding is available for those that qualify under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Gateway College doesn’t offer any in-house funding options.
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with the Gateway Community and Technical College to find out more.
Class Size: Class size is not disclosed though the college does offer one on one driver training.
Job Placement: The college offers job placement, but prospects are limited to those between the ages of 18 and 21.
Course Location: Four weeks of full-time in-class and hands-on training
CDL Licenses:
- CDL Class A
Lake Cumberland CDL Training
Established in 2006, Lake Cumberland CDL Training School offers both Class A and Class B commercial drivers licenses. They also offer refresher courses and specialized training for commercial transporters.
Cost: $4,000
Program Length: 180 hours over four weeks
Financial Assistance: Students can apply for the following assistance
- Kentucky Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
- Veterans Administration (VA)
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Lake Cumberland CDL Training School to find out more.
Class Size: not disclosed
Job Placement: The training school partners with more than 30 companies offering assistance with job placement.
Course Location: Full-time classroom and on and off-road training
CDL Licenses:
- CDL Class A
- CDL Class B
CDL Training Services
CDL Training Services has been in business since 1994. The company trains truck drivers across the country. It partners with several national carriers so they can help you to arrange tuition reimbursement.
Cost: $4,000
Program Length: 4 weeks
Financial Assistance: CDL Training Services can help you to get tuition finance through various government initiatives.
Tuition Reimbursement: CDL Training Services partners with a number of national carriers, many of whom are happy to fully or partially reimburse tuition. In exchange, you will have to commit to working for the sponsoring company.
Class Size: undisclosed
Job Placement: The company helps to place graduates with a 95% success rate.
Course Location: 160 hours of in-class and hands-on training.
CDL Licenses:
- CDL Class A
Truck America Training
A privately owned CDL training school, TAT has been in business since 2001. They offer five days of classroom and 11 days of hands-on training. The company has recently invested in simulators so students can practice before they drive the real thing.
Cost: Costs not available
Program Length: 160 hours over 3.5 weeks
Financial Assistance: Financial aid is offered to those who qualify.
Tuition Reimbursement: Truck Training America offers tuition reimbursement and loans with zero interest. Inquire with Truck America Training to find out more.
Class Size: 12
Job Placement: Job placement assistance is available through associated trucking companies. The company offers pre-hiring and recruitment during training.
Course Location: 50 hours of in-class and 110 hours of pre-trip and on the road training. Driver simulators are also available for use.
CDL Licenses:
- CDL A training
How Does CDL Training in Kentucky Work?
If you’re looking for a career in the transport industry, you’ll need a CDL. Listed below are the three classes of CDL with a short explanation of what they cover.
- CDL Class A: Designed for drivers of tractors, and trailers weighing more than 26,000 pounds and towing a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
- CDL Class B: Designed for drivers of delivery trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds, towing a trailer weighing less than 10,000 pounds.
- CDL Class C: Designed for drivers of passenger vehicles carrying 16 people or more, and small trucks carrying hazardous materials.
The process of getting a CDL in Kentucky is much the same as in most other states in the USA. You must be at least 18 to qualify for a CDL and drive a commercial vehicle. The law doesn’t allow anyone under the age of 21 to drive across state lines or deal with hazardous materials.
You will also have to get a Department of Transport physical examination from a DOT-certified physician before you take the test. To qualify you will have to pass a written and skills test. A CDL training center will prepare you for the test.
Kentucky Trucking School Facts & Figures
Kentucky has a large number of trucking schools to choose from. Most cover the same basic curriculum
Number of Schools
There are currently 18 truck driving schools in Kentucky. As you might expect, they’re centered around the larger cities. Though some of the schools offer after-hour training, there are no Kentucky schools offering online training at this time.
Number of Students per Class
The average class size in Kentucky is 15 though the number will vary at different times of the year and from one school to the next.
Tuition Rates
The average tuition rate for Kentucky CDL training is $7,559.
Average Loan Amount
The average loan amount is $5,437. Still, most of the CDL schools have financing options available for qualifying students.
Scholarship
Kentucky CDL students get on average $3,255 in scholarship funding.
Job Placement
Most CDL schools have job placement programs with some boasting 95% placement success. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t find a job once you have your CDL.
Kentucky Trucking Employment Facts & Figures
If you’re considering a career in trucking, you’ll, no doubt, find the following facts and figures interesting.
Employment
Take a quick look at the truck driving jobs up for grabs in Kentucky and you’ll discover hundreds of job vacancies at any given time. It’s not just transporters that hire qualified drivers either. Many wholesale, retail, and manufacturing companies employ their own drivers. We’ve listed some of the bigger companies operating out of Kentucky along with the average salary they pay their truck driving employees.
| Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Company Size Employees |
| Dollar General Fleet | $77,500 | 10,000+ |
| M&M Cartage | $75,000 | 200+ |
| DHL | $57,500 | 10,000+ |
| Old Dominion Freight Line | $78,000 | 10,000+ |
| KC Logistics | $67,500 | 50+ |
Salary
Kentucky truck drivers earn 9% below the national average, yet truck drivers still earn a decent wage.
- Weekly: $1,347
- Monthly: $5.837
- Yearly: $70,044
Start Your Career in Trucking with a CDL Today!
Truck drivers earn good money in Kentucky and there are plenty of trucking jobs in a range of industries. It’s a good career and it all starts when you receive your commercial driver’s license. Have your Class A CDL and you’re ready to find your dream job on TruckDrivingJobs.com.
FAQ
Apart from the cost of training, it will cost you $24 to apply for your CDL A license. The original CDL will cost $40.
You should complete your CDL training within three to four weeks and then you can take the test.
Neither farmers nor their employees need a CDL in Kentucky as long as the vehicle is used for agricultural purposes and within a 150-mile radius of the farm.
