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CDL & Truck Driving Schools in California
12 schools in California offer CDL & truck driving-related programs, compared below on official cost, completion, and earnings data. Prefer to earn while you learn? 16 registered apprenticeship programs in California train CDL & truck driving apprentices — see apprenticeships.
Occupation pay is what working CDL & truck driving professionals in California earn (all experience levels) — school "earnings" figures above are medians for each school's recent federally-aided students across all its programs, which read lower.
CDL & Truck Driving licensing in California: State license required
California CDLs are issued by the California DMV, and the state adds a training floor most states don't have: original Class A/B applicants must log at least 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training (10 on public roads) under Vehicle Code 15250.1, on top of federal Entry-Level Driver Training. Applicants also need a DOT medical certificate, a learner's permit held 14 days, and must pass knowledge tests (80% minimum) plus the 3-part skills test.
Official source: California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) · Exam: CDL knowledge test(s) (minimum 80% to pass) plus the 3-part skills test (vehicle inspection, basic control, road test) · Typical requirement: Valid California license; age 18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate; DOT medical certificate; CLP held at least 14 days; FMCSA ELDT plus a California-specific minimum of 15 hours behind-the-wheel training (at least 10 on public roads) for original Class A/B applicants under CVC 15250.1, certified on form DL 1236
Official license records related to CDL & truck driving in California
From the U.S. Department of Labor's License Finder — these may include contractor, specialty, or related licenses beyond entry-level requirements:
- Commercial Driver License — Department of Motor Vehicles~Licensing Operations Division~Commercial Licensing Policy Section
- Commercial Drivers License (CDL) — Department of Motor Vehicles
- Driving School Operator License — Department of Motor Vehicles~Occupational Licensing~The Individuals
- Independent Driving Instructor License — Department of Motor Vehicles~Occupational Licensing~The Individuals
- Driving School Instructor License — Department of Motor Vehicles~Occupational Licensing~The Individuals
- Occupational Licensing for Participants in Horse Racing — Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency~California Horse Racing Board
Wage and license data provided by CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and Minnesota DEED.
Schools, ranked by earnings per tuition dollar
| School | City | Type | Net price / yr | Completion | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago Canyon College | Orange | public | $2,129 | 26.5% | $44,956 |
| Shasta College | Redding | public | $2,878 | 24.5% | $39,269 |
| Butte College | Oroville | public | $5,520 | 36.3% | $41,810 |
| Sacramento City College | Sacramento | public | $6,614 | 18.9% | $42,214 |
| San Diego City College | San Diego | public | $7,935 | 20.8% | $38,503 |
| Coalinga College | Coalinga | public | $10,477 | 26% | $37,633 |
| CET-Soledad | Soledad | private nonprofit | $11,260 | 82% | $32,986 |
| CET-El Centro | El Centro | private nonprofit | $11,405 | 91.2% | $32,986 |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College | Los Angeles | public | $12,323 | 20.2% | $35,233 |
| Bakersfield College | Bakersfield | public | $14,621 | 25.9% | $37,291 |
| CET-San Jose | San Jose | private nonprofit | $16,101 | 79.6% | $32,986 |
| Advanced Career Institute | Visalia | private for-profit | not reported | 77.5% | not reported |
Ranking = median earnings 10 years after entry per $1,000 of average yearly net price (methodology). Figures are institution-wide federal medians for each school as a whole — not CDL & truck driving graduates specifically. Schools without both figures sort last — "not reported" means the federal dataset lacks the value, not that the school is bad.
Common questions: CDL & Truck Driving school in California
- How much do CDL & Truck Driving schools cost in California?
- The median annual net price (what students actually pay after aid) across 12 CDL & truck driving schools in California is $10,477. Individual schools range widely — the table above shows each school's real cost, not sticker price.
- Do you need a license to work as a CDL & truck driving in California?
- California CDLs are issued by the California DMV, and the state adds a training floor most states don't have: original Class A/B applicants must log at least 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training (10 on public roads) under Vehicle Code 15250.1, on top of federal Entry-Level Driver Training. Applicants also need a DOT medical certificate, a learner's permit held 14 days, and must pass knowledge tests (80% minimum) plus the 3-part skills test.
- Can you get paid to train as a CDL & truck driving in California?
- Yes — California has 16 registered apprenticeship programs where you earn wages while you train instead of paying tuition. See the CDL & truck driving apprenticeships page for the current list.
- What does a CDL & truck driving earn in California?
- Working CDL & truck driving professionals in California earn a median of $60,230 per year, ranging from about $41,830 to $81,960 (U.S. Department of Labor). This is what people in the job earn, which differs from a school's reported graduate-earnings figure.
Aid deadlines for CDL & truck driving programs in California
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CDL & Truck Driving schools in nearby states
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- CDL & Truck Driving schools in Arizona
- CDL & Truck Driving schools in Arkansas
See all states & the full CDL & truck driving guide →