What is Commercial Driver Education?

If you’re a road trip junkie or just love getting behind the wheel of a big truck, perhaps you’ve considered a job as a commercial truck driver.

Before you can hit the road, though, you’ll need a commercial drivers license (CDL). Requirements for obtaining a CDL vary by state, but all states require both a written exam and a three-part skills exam.

With such rigorous testing requirements ahead of you, you’ll want to study up before taking your commercial drivers license exam, and that’s where commercial truck driving schools come in.

Commercial Truck Driving Training: What You’ll Learn

Commercial truck driving programs will prepare you to obtain a CDL that allows you to legally drive different types of tractor trailers and trucks.

Truck driving schools cover a wide array of topics, including:

• General commercial vehicle education such as the essential features and necessary maintenance of trucks.
• Basic and advanced truck driving operation and hands-on skills.
• Truck driving theory.
• Trucking safety.
• Commercial drivers license test preparation.
• Professionalism for truckers.
• Safe cargo handling.
• Lifestyle and family concerns.
• Other relevant aspects of the truck driving experience.

Generally, commercial driver education courses consist of 150 to 200 hours of training, with some training options available online. Consider enrolling in a course that is recognized by all major professional truck driving organizations.

You can also find commercial driving practice tests online. These tests cover topics that may appear on the written portion of your commercial drivers license exam. After taking a few CDL practice tests, you’ll be better prepared to pass your actual exam.

Do you have a commercial driver’s license? Tell us about how you received your CDL driver education.