Looking for that elusive sense of adventure, a change in career, or a career where you can start earning a competitive salary immediately with minimal experience? Want to drive a big truck? Enroll in Truck Driver Institute’s Class A CDL training program and learn everything you need to know to take your career on the road. It only takes 3 weeks!
3 Weeks
From day one to road-ready – that’s all it takes.
There’s a nationwide shortage of Class A CDL drivers, and it’s affecting the transportation and truck driving industry in big ways. The nation’s leading carriers, such as Werner, FedEx, Schneider, Averitt, and more, are regularly hiring commercial driver’s license (CDL) graduates for key positions. That’s why the Truck Driving Institute (TDI) is eager to spread the news and invite the next Class A CDL training class to a TDI campus near you.
How to Get a Class A CDL License
A Class A CDL license opens the door to a wide range of job opportunities and long-term career growth. If you are wondering about how to get a Class A CDL license, it’s a lot simpler than most people expect. It begins with just a few key steps:
| 1 | Meet the basic requirements Before applying, you’ll want to make sure you meet some basic Class A CDL requirements, which can include being at least 18 years old, having a valid non-commercial driver’s license, being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a few other key qualifications. |
| 2 | Obtain a CDL permit It’s required that you obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) before you can earn your CDL license. This permit allows you to operate a truck or bus as long as a licensed CDL driver sits next to you in the passenger seat. Be sure to bring all required documents to show that you have met these requirements. |
| 3 | Train with professional truckers You will need to take truck driving lessons through a registered training provider. By doing so you’ll get the hands-on training and knowledge you need to become a successful and confident trucker. |
| 4 | Pass your exam Once your fast CDL training is complete, it will be time to take the CDL license exam. The CDL Class A test consists of both a written exam and a driving test. |
How Our Fast CDL Training Program Works
Our accelerated CDL training program is designed to prepare you for success in just three short weeks. Here’s a look at what you’ll learn within the program and how we’ll help prepare you for a career behind the wheel.
Week 1: Classroom
At this stage, you’ll start learning the technical aspects of truck driving in the classroom. Our instructors work with you to help you feel confident in the written CDL permit’s subject matter, including for topics such as:
- Trip planning
- Smith System rules
- Recording your driver’s log
- Surveying maps
- Weight scale legal requirements
- Cargo claims
- Fundamental mechanic abilities
Week 2: Hands-On Training
Once you have your written CDL permit, you’ll begin your hands-on training. Beside an instructor, you’ll operate a full-sized 18-wheeler on our expansive off-road driving range, practicing straight line and offset backing. We’ll make sure that you are capable of performing pre-trip inspections to assess the operational safety of your vehicle.
As week two comes to a close, you’ll then work your way onto the road. We ease you into this next phase by introducing you to low-traffic driving scenarios.
Week 3: Advanced Skills, Testing and Graduation
After mastering the basics, you can start acquiring more advanced skills. You will be given the chance to hone your technique on both the driving range and highway. We will also make sure that you are confident operating your vehicle in night-time driving environments.
Once you feel ready, you can take your CDL Driving Skills Test for Highway/Street, which we offer on-site. Once you take and pass your exams, you graduate and can begin your career!
What Can Accelerated CDL Training Do For My Career?
Earning a Class A CDL presents you with several career opportunities in the transportation and freight industries. With a Class A CDL, you’re automatically qualified to drive a truck that tows a trailer with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of more than 10,000 pounds. When you’re on the interstate, most of the big semi-trucks you see are Class A vehicles.
When you receive Class A CDL training, you’re also able to drive the Class B and Class C vehicles. Here’s how the three classes compare:
| License Class | What You Can Drive | Trailer / Weight Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and the widest variety of large combination vehicles – plus all Class B and Class C vehicles | Qualified to tow a trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds |
| Class B | Large vehicles, or vehicles towing lighter trailers | Trailers that don’t exceed a GVWR of 10,000 pounds, or large vehicles without detachable trailers |
| Class C | Smaller vehicles such as 16-passenger vans, other commercial vans, and Hazmat vehicles | Smaller commercial and specialty vehicles |
This means that Class A CDL drivers can operate:
- Semi-trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Flatbeds
- Box trucks
- Dump trucks
- Straight trucks
- Passenger vans
- Tanker vehicles
- Double and triple trailers
- Livestock carriers
- And more!
| ⚠️ |
A Few Exceptions Require Endorsements
Although Class A CDL drivers can operate the widest variety of vehicles of any license, a few exceptions require special endorsements. These include metro buses and school buses, but also vehicles for hazardous materials, certain tankers, and others. |
With the freedom that a Class A CDL affords its holders, it’s no wonder the nation’s leading carriers and transportation companies are hiring TDI grads straight out of school.
The fact of the matter is that there is a severe shortage of Class A CDL drivers, and, to compensate for that, the industry is littered with unreliable CDL schools that offer subpar and Class A CDL training. With this in mind, you may think that carriers would hire anyone who holds a Class A CDL, but that’s not the case.
The bottom line: Driving a large truck is a big responsibility, and it requires training and professional instruction. It’s nothing like your standard four-on-the-floor transmission. The big carriers recognize this, and even though there’s a massive shortage, they’re selective about who they choose. After all, road safety and job efficiency are the top priorities.
Open Up Career Doors with a CDL Class A License
Since 1973, TDI has been providing job-seekers with the best value-time ratio in the business. Our program takes you 3 weeks to complete, and carriers and companies will know you have the skills to join their teams after completing our Class A CDL training. Some of the careers you can pursue with your CDL Class A license include:
- Delivery truck driver
- Bus driver
- Tow truck driver
- Emergency services driver
- Government transport driver
- Specialized hauler
- Oil and gas industry driver
- Fleet manager and dispatcher
- Landscaping driver
- Sales representative
The list continues to grow as demand for CDL drivers remains strong across a wide range of industries.
TDI—More Than Class A CDL Training
The quality of training that TDI provides paired with our reputation and the high demand for Class A drivers means our job placement program is among the most successful facets of our operation.
Through our various job placement methods, TDI boasts an 80% job placement rate for our graduates. Here’s how we do it:
- Pre-hire CDL job screening – This pre-screening takes place before your training even begins. Based on our employment partners’ requirements, we make sure you’re qualified to work in the industry before you set foot in a classroom.
- Job placement during training – TDI students work closely with job placement specialists during their training. They help you create an employment plan that’s tailor-made to your situation, skills, and career goals. Almost all of our students accept jobs before they even graduate.
- Post-graduation job placement – This involves job placement assistance for each and every TDI graduate. You will work one-on-one with your recruiter who you started the program with.
- Many TDI carrier partners – These include some of the nation’s leading carriers. We have a large variety of carriers that offer different services and job descriptions. At TDI, you can have the freedom of not having to choose from only two or three companies that may not even align with your career goals.
Along with impeccable Class A CDL training, TDI offers the chance to enter a rewarding and well-paid career no matter your background. Whether you have poor credit or you’re ready to turn your life around after criminal charges or anything else, you have the option to jump on the right track with TDI today. A career in truck driving offers you the opportunity to earn a competitive salary, have great healthcare benefits, and secure a retirement plan.
Plus, by choosing Truck Driver Institute to pursue fast CDL training, you’ll gain access to a range of benefits, including:
✅ Financing options – TDI offers some of the strongest financial aid and financing options in the country, including GI Bill® benefits for veterans. We also provide carrier-paid tuition and scholarship opportunities for qualified applicants.
✅ Various CDL testing centers – We have a range of TDI campuses located throughout the country, including Birmingham, Gulfport, Indianapolis, Nashville, Orlando, Pensacola, Columbia, South Bend, and Tupelo.
✅ Lodging options available – We strive to make our training affordable, which is why if you aren’t near one of our locations, you can look into our temporary lodging program. We partner with local hotels to offer you a discounted rate while you complete your training.
Meet the Class A CDL Requirements? Let’s Get You Started
If you’re ready to take the first step into a new career and a new chapter of your life in the truck driving industry, look no further than pursuing your CDL Class A license. Our team is here to support you every step of the way as you begin your journey toward a stable and rewarding career in the trucking industry. Reach out today to get started!
If you have any questions, our blog most likely contains the answers. It’s also a great way to learn more about our offerings, stay up to date on the latest news in the trucking industry, and learn more about the industry in general.
Sign Me Up!
Visit our Tell Me More page and fill out our quick form to get started. You can also give us a call at 800-848-7364 to make inquiries. We look forward to meeting you, and we’d like to congratulate you on your decision to join us at TDI.
Enroll in Our CDL Training Program Today
It’s time to get started in an exciting, new career. We look forward to speaking with you!