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 Name | Address | Phone |
---|---|---|
AAA CDL School | 14803 Camino Rancho Dr., Houston, TX 77083 | 281-495-9192 |
Action Career Training | 598 Westwood, Abilene, TX 76541 | 800-725-6465 |
Action Career Training | 1403 W Ferguson, Pharr, TX 78577 | 956-782-6800 |
Action Career Training | 408 E. Ave. G Ste 4, Killeen, TX 76540 | 1-800-725-6465 |
Alamo Truck Driving School | 4300 South East Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78222, USA | 1 210-648-6300 |
Alvin Community College | 3110 Mustang Road, Alvin, TX 77511 | 281-756-3500 |
Amarillo College of Truck Driving | 1310 F Ave, Amarillo, TX 79111 | 1 806-335-4370 |
Amarillo College of Truck Driving | 1314 S. Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79101 | 806-371-2900 |
Associated Training Services | 24143 Interstate 20, Wills Point, TX 75169 | 903-873-2781 |
ATDS | 124 Truckers Ln, Elm Mott, TX 76640 | 254-829-1694 |
ATDS | 1105 E Central Texas Expy, Killeen, TX 76541 | 1-254-432-7534 |
Austin Community College | 1331 North State Highway 123, San Marcos, TX 78666 | 512-223-7000 |
Bear Cat Truck Driving School | 2799 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford, TX 76088 | 817-594-9260 |
Bill Priest Institute | 1402 Corinth, Dallas, TX 75215 | 214-860-5900 |
Blinn College | 301 Post Office St., Bryan, TX 77805 | 979-830-4000 |
Brookhaven College | 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75244 | 972-860-4700 |
C.R. England | 8422 Amparan Rd., Laredo, TX 78045 | 956-267-2204 |
C1 Truck Driver Training | 4200 South Fwy, Fort Worth, TX 76115, USA | 1-817-922-5400 |
Career Trucking School - Tyler Junior College Site | 6986 County Rd 384, Tyler, TX 75708 | 903-596-7744 |
Career Trucking School - Paris Junior College | 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX 75460 | 903-596-7744 |
Career Trucking School - Richland College | 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas, TX 75243 | 903-596-7744 |
CDL Help | 3901 W Arkansas Ln, Arlington, TX 76016, USA | 817-268-7759 |
CDL Test Truck | 801 Sandy Creek Dr., Allen, TX 75002 | 469-835-4126 |
Central Texas College | 6200 West Central Texas Expwy, Killeen, TX 76549 | 254-526-7161 |
Collin County Community College | 2200 West University Drive, McKinney, TX 75071 | 972-548-6790 |
Continental Truck Driver Training & Education School | 6704 S RL Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75232 | 972-224-5551 |
Continental Truck Driver Training & Education School | 5005 Brentwood Stair Road, Suite 206, Fort Worth, TX 76112 | 817-446-7005 |
Cypress Truck Driving School | 102 Spinks Rd, Abilene, TX 79603, USA | 325-691-1900 |
Del Mar College | 101 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404 | 361-698-2122 |
E Z Commercial Drivers License | 12490 Highway 59 Cleveland, Houston, TX 77039 | 281-804-6958 |
Eastfield College | 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150 | 972-860-7100 |
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 |
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:Average Salary of Truck Drivers in Texas
City Name | Salary |
---|---|
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
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abilene, TX | 1,070 | $53,570 | $25.76 | $86,030 | $34,330 |
Amarillo, TX | 2,220 | $53,580 | $25.76 | $75,980 | $34,390 |
Austin-Round Rock, TX | 10,180 | $54,790 | $26.34 | $76,420 | $37,500 |
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 2,180 | $50,680 | $24.37 | $70,270 | $35,220 |
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 1,640 | $49,160 | $23.63 | $71,140 | $31,040 |
College Station-Bryan, TX | 1,320 | $47,920 | $23.04 | $63,250 | $34,270 |
Corpus Christi, TX | 2,430 | $51,020 | $24.53 | $72,550 | $31,690 |
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 60,370 | $58,960 | $28.35 | $84,760 | $37,600 |
El Paso, TX | 7,360 | $44,650 | $21.46 | $67,850 | $21,160 |
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 47,590 | $55,260 | $26.57 | $76,510 | $35,390 |
Killeen-Temple, TX | 1,960 | $52,130 | $25.06 | $82,440 | $35,290 |
Laredo, TX | 5,240 | $51,330 | $24.68 | $79,910 | $29,320 |
Longview, TX | 2,050 | $53,230 | $25.59 | $80,370 | $34,440 |
Lubbock, TX | 2,120 | $50,300 | $24.18 | $73,770 | $30,960 |
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 4,600 | $48,380 | $23.26 | $66,350 | $28,620 |
Midland, TX | 4,700 | $57,520 | $27.66 | $75,800 | $42,140 |
Odessa, TX | 3,050 | $54,650 | $26.27 | $74,420 | $38,250 |
San Angelo, TX | 740 | $48,980 | $23.55 | $74,720 | $33,440 |
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 15,560 | $50,940 | $24.49 | $72,190 | $32,460 |
Sherman-Denison, TX | 710 | $52,180 | $25.09 | $74,860 | $36,320 |
Texarkana, TX-AR | 1,140 | $55,340 | $26.6 | $83,130 | $36,070 |
Tyler, TX | 1,570 | $48,520 | $23.33 | $66,560 | $27,600 |
Victoria, TX | 790 | $54,040 | $25.98 | $75,970 | $36,120 |
Waco, TX | 1,620 | $50,290 | $24.18 | $70,000 | $35,560 |
Wichita Falls, TX | 710 | $50,550 | $24.3 | $70,200 | $33,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.