CDL FAQ

Anyone who drives a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) is required to obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). There are different types of CDL certifications (see below), but all licenses provide job opportunities to operate vehicles ranging from tankers and 18-wheelers to box trucks and buses.

While requirements can vary by state, there are essentially three levels: Class A, B, and C. 

Class C drivers can drive vehicles that carry 16+ passengers (small buses) and operate small vehicles that carry hazardous materials (Hazmat). Class B drivers can drive box trucks, straight trucks and large/segmented buses Class A holders can usually operate Class B and C vehicles, as well as flatbeds, large tractor-trailers, and tank vehicles. Certain specialty vehicles, such as school buses, often require additional endorsements.

The median annual income for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $49,920 as of 2022, according to the BLS. Operators are usually paid by the number of miles driven, plus bonuses. Some long-distance drivers are paid a share of revenue from shipping.

The total cost of the CDL Training Course at Delta Technical College is $5,000. DTC also offers a Professional Truck Driving Program, and qualifying students may receive financial assistance for the Professional Truck Driving Program.

The CDL Training Course at Delta Technical College is 20 days (4 weeks), totaling 180 clock hours. We also offer a more comprehensive Professional Truck Driving Program, which is 20 weeks (5 months), totaling 600 clock hours.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, projected growth in employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is 4% through 2032. That equates to about 241,200 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers each year, on average, over the decade.

Many truck drivers find employment in truck transportation, wholesale trade, manufacturing, and construction, and some are self-employed. Truck drivers spend most of their time on the road, which can be a major lifestyle adjustment. 

Most drivers’ routes are assigned by their dispatchers, but some drivers plan their own routes. Depending on their jobs, drivers can take long routes throughout the country that require them to be away from home for days at a time or drivers can select local routes, which may require them to drive two shipments in a day.

The first step is to apply for a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), which allows you to drive on public roads accompanied by a driver that holds a CDL. At Delta Technical College, CDL students will be prepared to take the CDL permit exam the first week of class. 

Upon successful completion of the CDL Training Course, you will be prepared to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License with the issuing state and to work in an entry-level truck driver position.