CDL Classes in Texas (Top Schools)

Texas map

It isn’t an enormous challenge to become a truck driver in Texas, as the schools are very numerous.

You do, however, need to satisfy some basic criteria, none of which should be too difficult.

For example, you must have a clean driving history, pass drug dependency checks, be over 21 years old, be the resident of the United States, and if possible, provide a good work history reference from a former employer.

In case you find these conditions easy to meet, then Texas truck driving schools can provide you with 3 basic CDL course classes: A, B and C.

The most basic form of driving certificate is a Class C license, while B and A are progressively higher tiers.

A grade license also enables you to drive all vehicles from the B and C category, it is the best choice if you can get it since it provides most employment opportunities.

If you really want to become a driver, lessen your burden by taking aid whenever available; many employers are ready to pay for the education of a truck driver; Truck Driver Institute can help you discover them.

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A Quick Guide to Texas Truck Driving Schools

First: there are two distinct types of trucking schools in Texas: those owned individually, and those which are owned by a certain business.

Each of them has its advantages: a company owned school can guarantee you employment and numerous other benefits (like health insurance), especially if you get good grades.

On the other hand, independent private schools are often initially less focused and students usually get a chance to narrow their education to a more specific area later, when they feel ready.

By going to an independent school, you can postpone such important choices, such as your employer and type of vehicle you want to focus on.

Third: it’s not necessary to be a driver to enter the trucking industry. A myriad of options is open for those who prefer working from office or home, and for former drivers with weak or declining health.

At universities such as the National American University, you can get the prerequisites to try to study logistics (things like efficient transportation and cargo management, supply and demand management, inventory management, waste minimization, customer service, management of the supply chain, analysis of statistics and forecasts, etc.)

Thus, by enrolling in Supply Chain Management Bachelor’s Degree program, you can try to get up in the business hierarchy; here, instead of just being a driver, you can also explore your leadership skills (and potentially pursue a better-paid career in the future).

By studying transport and logistics from such a high viewpoint, you can potentially develop a better overview of the industry; you can learn to manage other drivers and teams, making you a true logistics expert.

Finally, a few general remarks: as in everything else, having a plan is always a good thing.

Plan your career carefully and determine your goals before you even start to learn seriously.

Truckers can get their CDL license in Texas at multiple schools, especially for Class A version.

You will usually get generous assistance, such as being lent a vehicle for your exams, along with with study material, other online and offline help, as well as help with job-seeking after finishing.

Diesel technology schools also offer rich options, even allowing students to choose a particular vehicle to specialize in.

For example, at Laredo Community College you can choose between two one-year diesel technology courses: one gets you a certificate in general diesel engine repair, while with the other certificate you focus on repairing heavy truck undercarriage.

31 Top CDL Schools in Texas

School NameAddressPhone
AAA CDL School14803 Camino Rancho Dr., Houston, TX 77083281-495-9192
Action Career Training598 Westwood, Abilene, TX 76541800-725-6465
Action Career Training1403 W Ferguson, Pharr, TX 78577956-782-6800
Action Career Training408 E. Ave. G Ste 4, Killeen, TX 765401-800-725-6465
Alamo Truck Driving School4300 South East Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78222, USA1 210-648-6300
Alvin Community College3110 Mustang Road, Alvin, TX 77511281-756-3500
Amarillo College of Truck Driving1310 F Ave, Amarillo, TX 791111 806-335-4370
Amarillo College of Truck Driving1314 S. Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79101806-371-2900
Associated Training Services24143 Interstate 20, Wills Point, TX 75169903-873-2781
ATDS124 Truckers Ln, Elm Mott, TX 76640254-829-1694
ATDS1105 E Central Texas Expy, Killeen, TX 765411-254-432-7534
Austin Community College1331 North State Highway 123, San Marcos, TX 78666512-223-7000
Bear Cat Truck Driving School2799 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford, TX 76088817-594-9260
Bill Priest Institute1402 Corinth, Dallas, TX 75215214-860-5900
Blinn College301 Post Office St., Bryan, TX 77805979-830-4000
Brookhaven College3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75244972-860-4700
C.R. England8422 Amparan Rd., Laredo, TX 78045956-267-2204
C1 Truck Driver Training4200 South Fwy, Fort Worth, TX 76115, USA1-817-922-5400
Career Trucking School - Tyler Junior College Site6986 County Rd 384, Tyler, TX 75708903-596-7744
Career Trucking School - Paris Junior College2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX 75460903-596-7744
Career Trucking School - Richland College12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas, TX 75243903-596-7744
CDL Help3901 W Arkansas Ln, Arlington, TX 76016, USA817-268-7759
CDL Test Truck801 Sandy Creek Dr., Allen, TX 75002469-835-4126
Central Texas College6200 West Central Texas Expwy, Killeen, TX 76549254-526-7161
Collin County Community College2200 West University Drive, McKinney, TX 75071972-548-6790
Continental Truck Driver Training & Education School6704 S RL Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75232972-224-5551
Continental Truck Driver Training & Education School5005 Brentwood Stair Road, Suite 206, Fort Worth, TX 76112817-446-7005
Cypress Truck Driving School102 Spinks Rd, Abilene, TX 79603, USA325-691-1900
Del Mar College101 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404361-698-2122
E Z Commercial Drivers License12490 Highway 59 Cleveland, Houston, TX 77039281-804-6958
Eastfield College3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150972-860-7100

At a Glance: Trucking Schools in Texas

Total Schools:31
Undergraduate Programs:53
Graduate Programs:14
Average Acceptance Rate:63%
Average Tuition Cost:$6,917
Average Loan Amount:$5,461
Average Scholarship Award:$2,938
Average Classroom Size:18 Students
CDL Schools info

Employment Endeavors

A large state like Texas certainly won’t lack quality employment opportunities; this is proven also by above-average wages.

Many opportunities await successful students, such as trucking companies, leasing centers and repair shops (such as C.R. England, A&R Transport, and MCT Transportation LLC).

Even those a bit less excellent may have a good chance in a prosperous economy of Texas; O*Net says that in coming years truck driver jobs will grow 19%, while diesel mechanics can expect a growth rate of 18%.

Basic Salary Information

If you wonder how high your salary could be – an average one currently reaches $43,193.

If you require more information, just consult the information we’ve organized for you below.

Annual Salary Range:
$38K
$43K
$50K

Average Salary of Truck Drivers in Texas

City NameSalary
Houston$45,177
Dallas$43,780
San Antonio$42,929
Austin$43,414
El Paso$38,551
Fort Worth$42,947
Arlington$42,876
Corpus Christi$40,787
Plano$43,592
Garland$43,686

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Abilene, TX1,070$53,570$25.76$86,030$34,330
Amarillo, TX2,220$53,580$25.76$75,980$34,390
Austin-Round Rock, TX10,180$54,790$26.34$76,420$37,500
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX2,180$50,680$24.37$70,270$35,220
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX1,640$49,160$23.63$71,140$31,040
College Station-Bryan, TX1,320$47,920$23.04$63,250$34,270
Corpus Christi, TX2,430$51,020$24.53$72,550$31,690
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX60,370$58,960$28.35$84,760$37,600
El Paso, TX7,360$44,650$21.46$67,850$21,160
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX47,590$55,260$26.57$76,510$35,390
Killeen-Temple, TX1,960$52,130$25.06$82,440$35,290
Laredo, TX5,240$51,330$24.68$79,910$29,320
Longview, TX2,050$53,230$25.59$80,370$34,440
Lubbock, TX2,120$50,300$24.18$73,770$30,960
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX4,600$48,380$23.26$66,350$28,620
Midland, TX4,700$57,520$27.66$75,800$42,140
Odessa, TX3,050$54,650$26.27$74,420$38,250
San Angelo, TX740$48,980$23.55$74,720$33,440
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX15,560$50,940$24.49$72,190$32,460
Sherman-Denison, TX710$52,180$25.09$74,860$36,320
Texarkana, TX-AR1,140$55,340$26.6$83,130$36,070
Tyler, TX1,570$48,520$23.33$66,560$27,600
Victoria, TX790$54,040$25.98$75,970$36,120
Waco, TX1,620$50,290$24.18$70,000$35,560
Wichita Falls, TX710$50,550$24.3$70,200$33,180
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, OCC Code 53-3032, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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