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CDL & Truck Driving Schools in Ohio
19 schools in Ohio offer CDL & truck driving-related programs, compared below on official cost, completion, and earnings data. Prefer to earn while you learn? 8 registered apprenticeship programs in Ohio train CDL & truck driving apprentices — see apprenticeships.
Occupation pay is what working CDL & truck driving professionals in Ohio 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 Ohio: State license required
Ohio requires a CDL from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to drive commercial vehicles over 26,001 lbs. Applicants must be at least 18 (21 for interstate), hold a valid Ohio license, pass the knowledge test for a learner's permit, and show proof of completed federal Entry-Level Driver Training before the BMV will schedule the 3-part skills test. Military drivers with commercial experience may qualify for testing waivers.
Official source: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) · Exam: CDL knowledge test for the vehicle class plus all required skills tests (vehicle inspection, basic control, road test); ELDT proof required before skills testing · Typical requirement: At least 18 years old (21 for interstate); valid Ohio driver license; valid U.S. Social Security Number and proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency; DOT medical certificate; CLP held at least 14 days; proof of FMCSA ELDT completion (or exemption) required before scheduling the skills test
Official license records related to CDL & truck driving in Ohio
From the U.S. Department of Labor's License Finder — these may include contractor, specialty, or related licenses beyond entry-level requirements:
- Commercial Drivers License (CDL) — Ohio Department of Public Safety~Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Commercial Drivers License (CDL) — Ohio Department of Public Safety~Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Auto/Chauffeur/Taxi License — Ohio Department of Public Safety~Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Business College-Dayton-Driving Academy | Trotwood | private for-profit | $1,889 | 84.2% | $30,389 |
| Hamrick School | Medina | private for-profit | $4,956 | 87.7% | $44,797 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland | public | $4,266 | 19.1% | $35,654 |
| Stark State College | North Canton | public | $5,986 | 29% | $34,661 |
| Buckeye Joint Vocational School | New Philadelphia | public | $6,545 | 87.4% | $35,889 |
| Great Oaks Career Campuses | Cincinnati | public | $12,037 | 73.6% | $55,163 |
| Northwest State Community College | Archbold | public | $13,555 | 31.2% | $40,004 |
| Hocking College | Nelsonville | public | $13,704 | 40.2% | $37,791 |
| University of Northwestern Ohio | Lima | private nonprofit | $21,807 | 51.7% | $50,968 |
| Buckeye Hills Career Center | Rio Grande | public | $17,231 | 85.9% | $40,264 |
| Professional Skills Institute | Maumee | private for-profit | $20,721 | 68.9% | $47,765 |
| Warren County Career Center | Lebanon | public | $24,731 | 79.9% | $49,016 |
| Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls | Cuyahoga Falls | private for-profit | $23,374 | 58.4% | $34,509 |
| Ohio Business College-Sheffield | Sheffield Village | private for-profit | $28,738 | 53.4% | $30,389 |
| Apollo Career Center | Lima | public | not reported | 66.8% | $43,101 |
| Butler Technology and Career Development Schools | Monroe | public | not reported | 81.3% | $56,645 |
| Mid-EastCTC-Adult Education | Zanesville | public | not reported | 72.3% | $40,416 |
| Washington County Career Center-Adult Technical Training | Marietta | public | not reported | 82.8% | $43,749 |
| Vantage Career Center | Van Wert | public | not reported | 86.6% | $33,875 |
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.
Aid deadlines for CDL & truck driving programs in Ohio
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