A commercial driver’s license, or a CDL, is an essential prerequisite of operating a commercial vehicle in West Virginia. And, of course, you must fulfill certain requirements in order to obtain a CDL, including taking an accredited CDL training course.
This article will comprehensively discuss everything you should know about obtaining a commercial driver’s license in West Virginia, including how CDL training works, costs of enrollments, the best CDL training in West Virginia, and more. Let’s get straight into it!
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Quicklook: Best CDL Training Programs in West Virginia
- Fred W. Eberle Techinical Center
- All-State Career Truck Driving School
- James Rumsey Technical Institute
- Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
- Boone Career and Technical Center
5 Best CDL Training Programs in West Virginia
Below is a detailed review of the 5 best CDL training programs in West Virginia. Of course, there are many truck driving schools in West Virginia to get your CDL training; this section would help you make brilliant decisions when choosing the right school to enroll in.
Fred W. Eberle Technical Center
Located in Buckhannon, West Virginia, the Fred W. Eberle Technical Center offers online and physical driving classes for individuals who want to get their CDL license. Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid West Virginia driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience. Students who successfully enroll in the CDL training program must take a DOT CDL physical test, pass a drug screening, and adhere to the industry’s hygiene standards.
Cost: $4,000
Program Length: 8 to 10 weeks
Financial Assistance: No
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with the Fred W. Eberle Technical Center to find out more.
Class Size: 16 students
Job Placement: Yes
Course Location: Both online and in-person available
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
All-State Career Truck Driving School
This CDL training program offers technical knowledge and practical hands-on experience you need to ace West Virginia’s commercial driving exam. The program features a detailed curriculum that balances theory and practice.
Apart from teaching trucking skills, the All-State Career Truck Driving School supports its students with employment assistance services after graduation.
Cost: $5,000
Program Length: 4 to 6 months
Financial Assistance:
- Federal direct subsidized loans
- Federal direct unsubsidized loans
- Private students loans
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with the All-State Career Truck Driving School to find out more.
Class Size: 18 students
Job Placement: Yes
Course Location: In-person only
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
James Rumsey Technical Institute
This 9-week driver’s training features hands-on learning, road work, trip planning, size and weight requirements, employer relations, etc. Classes span for four (4) hours per week, from Monday through to Friday. Other lessons in the training’s curriculum include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, hours of service requirements, inspection procedures, cargo securement, and others.
Cost: $3,500
Program Length: 9 weeks
Financial Assistance:
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with the James Rumsey Technical Institute to find out more.
Class Size: 18 students
Job Placement: Yes
Course Location: In-person only
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
Although majoring in aeronautics, PIA also offers an intensive hands-on CDL training program for persons looking to become licensed truck drivers. The institute is renowned for its brilliant teachers, positive environment, and excellent ground to prepare individuals for a promising career.
Cost: $4,000
Program Length: 1 week to 21 months
Financial Assistance:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal direct unsubsidized loans
- Federal direct subsidized loans
- Direct PLUS loans.
- PIA Institutional Match Grant
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics to find out more.
Class Size: 20 students
Job Placement: Yes
Course Location: Both online and in-person
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
Boone Career and Technical Center
BCTC’s CDL training program offers small-sized student classes to encourage individualized and behind-the-wheel training experiences. This program prepares students for the highway, helping them ace the CDL license requirements and ultimately gain employment after graduation.
You will be training on logbook procedures, vehicle inspections, map reading, trip planning, backing exercises, and safe operations on various road conditions and types.
Cost: $4,400
Program Length: 6 weeks
Financial Assistance: Boone partners with various financial aid agencies
- Workforce Investment Act.
- Veterans Affairs
- Worker’s Compensation
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with the Boone Career & Technical Center to find out more.
Class Size: 10-12 students
Job Placement: Yes
Course Location: Both online and in-person available
CDL Licenses:
- Class A CDL
How Does CDL Training in West Virginia Work?
As mentioned above, a CDL is required to operate heavy or large material vehicles in West Virginia. Various commercial motor vehicles, CMVs, demand drivers to have a valid CDL; employers also narrow their job opportunities to drivers with any license classes. Therefore, we strongly recommend you get licensed before applying to any trucking job.
You must be 18+ to apply for a CDL or 21 years for interstate driving. Typically, there are three (3) types of commercial driver’s licenses, each having unique requirements: CDL Class A, CDL Class B, and CDL Class B. You must fulfill at least one (1) of these class requirements to become a licensed driver for commercial vehicles.
While the Class A CDL allows drivers to operate vehicles with, at most, 26,0001 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Class B CDL is needed to operate vehicles with at least a total combined weight rating of 26,0001 lbs. On the contrary, you need a Class C CDL to operate vehicles carrying at least 16 passengers, plus the driver. It’s also needed when transporting equipment or materials rated hazardous under the law.
Getting a CDL exposes you to numerous endorsements that can be added to your license. The requirements needed for each endorsement, however, vary, depending on the type. For example, HazMat endorsement requires a background check; for others, you may need to pass a written CDL endorsement test.
The demand for commercial drivers is on the rise; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, truck driving is among the most promising careers in West Virginia, with the average hourly wage approximately $18.14.
West Virginia Trucking School Facts & Figures
This section explores a few West Virginia Trucking School facts and figures, helping you make better-informed decisions when choosing the right West Virginia Trucking School to enroll in.
Number of Schools
There are 10+ truck driving schools across West Virginia. Most of these schools are located in Dunbar, Danville, Clarksburg, and Frazier Bottom.
Number of Students per Class
A typical trucking school class in West Virginia consists of an average of 14 students. Of course, the number of students per class primarily depends on the school.
Tuition Rates
Tuition costs an average of $3,827. Thankfully, there are numerous scholarship options available to choose from.
Average Loan Amount
The average loan amount is $5,169.
Scholarship
Scholarship options are widely available for students across various CDL training schools, but there is an average scholarship amount of $1,473 per student.
Job Placement
Several top trucking companies in West Virginia offer job opportunities for persons who just completed their CDL training, with or without driving experience. However, the truck driving school such a person graduates from is a strong deciding factor in this regard.
West Virginia Trucking Employment Facts & Figures
Having completed your CDL training and received the commercial driver’s license, it’s important to understand the employment possibilities available in West Virginia. Below are some facts and figures you should know about trucking employment in West Virginia.
Employment
As mentioned above, the job security for truck drivers in West Virginia is comparatively commendable. The table below outlines a few of the biggest employers of truck drivers and how much they pay.
| Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Company Size |
| TransAm Trucking | $4,000 per year | 501 to 1,000 |
| Dart America | $4,200 per year | 20,000+ |
| Old Dominion Freight Line | $5,000 per year | 23,000 |
| Kaiser Transport | $80,202 per year | 51 to 200 |
| Anderson Trucking Service | $128,672 per year | 1,431 |
- Federal direct subsidized loans
- Federal direct unsubsidized loans
- FAFSA assistance
- Federal Pell Grant
- National and Local scholarship
Salary
Below is the salary breakdown of an average truck driver in West Virginia.
- Weekly: $1,544.63
- Monthly: $6,178.50
- Yearly: $74,142
Start Your CDL Training in West Virginia Today
With the increasing employment opportunities for truck drivers in West Virginia, enrolling in a CDL training program to get a commercial driver’s license, CDL, is a wise option. The 5 best training programs in West Virginia outlined in this article would help you make a better-informed decision.
Ready to begin your commercial truck driving career? With a Class A CDL, truck drivers can find the best truck driving jobs nationwide at TruckDrivingJobs.com. Apply today!
FAQ
Many factors affect how you will spend to get a CDL in West Virginia. However, it should cost between $1,000 and $7,000 on average.
On average, it can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks to complete.
The test contains 50 questions.
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