Retraining ReportJob training public funding can pay for

Find training

CDL training in Charlotte, North Carolina

12 CDL (commercial driver's license) training programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

10 schools offer these truck driving programs with classes in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia area, and every one is approved for workforce funding: 10 by North Carolina and 2 by South Carolina. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Truck drivers need a commercial driver's license, which generally takes a knowledge test and a driving test. Most drivers have a high school diploma and prepare at a professional truck driving school.1 Since February 7, 2022, federal rules require anyone getting a Class A or B license for the first time, or upgrading to one, to train with a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry.2

In Charlotte, 5 of the 12 programs take students without a high school diploma, 5 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 12 programs here are Class A (7 programs), CDL (class not stated, 3 programs) and Class B (2 programs).

See the 12 programs

All 90 CDL training programs in North Carolina, including online programs

How much does CDL training cost in Charlotte?

$1,951 to $3,956 is what most CDL training programs in Charlotte cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 12 programs with a price. All of them: $180 to $4,995

In the typical program

Finished the program
87%
Working 6 months later
55%
Earned a year, estimated
about $40,000
Length
4 to 6 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Charlotte may also offer CDL training. How these figures are made

Is there free CDL training in Charlotte?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: grants, company-paid training and the GI Bill

All 12 CDL training programs in Charlotte approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
School
How it's taught
How to show the list

12 programs

  • Class AHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Training

    160 Driving Academy

    Charlotte

    High school diploma or equivalent

    160 Driving Academy, CharlotteClass AHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$42,700
    Price if you pay yourself$3,177

    212 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Training at 160 Driving Academy
    Finished
    91%
    Working at 6 months
    52%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,671
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $323
    Students counted
    1,698
    Earned a year, estimated
    $42,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,177
    students trained with WIOA funding
    212

  • Class AIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Truck Driver - Cdl - Semi - Tractor Trailer

    Truck Driver Institute

    Richburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Truck Driver Institute, RichburgClass AIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$37,400
    Price if you pay yourself$4,995

    152 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Truck Driver - Cdl - Semi - Tractor Trailer at Truck Driver Institute
    More details about Truck Driver - Cdl - Semi - Tractor Trailer at Truck Driver Institute
    Finished
    89%
    Working at 6 months
    46%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,346
    Length
    3 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $34
    Students counted
    852
    Earned a year, estimated
    $37,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,995
    students trained with WIOA funding
    152
    Program website, Truck Driver - Cdl - Semi - Tractor Trailer at Truck Driver Institute

  • Class AIn personNo diploma needed

    CDL Professional Truck Driving - Class A

    Cl Driving School

    Indian Trail

    No diploma needed

    Cl Driving School, Indian TrailClass AIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$47,800
    Price if you pay yourself$3,750

    119 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, CDL Professional Truck Driving - Class A at Cl Driving School
    More details about CDL Professional Truck Driving - Class A at Cl Driving School
    Finished
    97%
    Working at 6 months
    47%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,948
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $172
    Students counted
    264
    Earned a year, estimated
    $47,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,750
    students trained with WIOA funding
    119
    Program website, CDL Professional Truck Driving - Class A at Cl Driving School

  • Class AIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Class A Truck Driving

    Carolina Construction School LLC

    Lancaster

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Carolina Construction School LLC, LancasterClass AIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$31,100
    Price if you pay yourself$4,845

    88 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Class A Truck Driving at Carolina Construction School LLC
    More details about Class A Truck Driving at Carolina Construction School LLC
    Finished
    83%
    Working at 6 months
    79%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,781
    Length
    5 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $150
    Students counted
    107
    Earned a year, estimated
    $31,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,845
    students trained with WIOA funding
    88
    Program website, Class A Truck Driving at Carolina Construction School LLC

  • Class AIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Truck Driver Training - CDL A

    South Piedmont Community College

    Wadesboro

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Piedmont Community College, WadesboroClass A · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$44,600
    Price if you pay yourself$180
    Program website, Truck Driver Training - CDL A at South Piedmont Community College
    More details about Truck Driver Training - CDL A at South Piedmont Community College
    Finished
    86%
    Working at 6 months
    56%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,144
    Length
    12 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $921
    Students counted
    87
    Earned a year, estimated
    $44,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $180
    Program website, Truck Driver Training - CDL A at South Piedmont Community College

  • CDL (class not stated)In personNo diploma needed

    Transenergy CDL Academy

    Transenergy CDL Academy

    Gastonia

    No diploma needed

    Transenergy CDL Academy, GastoniaCDL (class not stated)In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$44,200
    Price if you pay yourself$4,500

    14 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Transenergy CDL Academy at Transenergy CDL Academy
    Finished
    81%
    Working at 6 months
    53%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,057
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $318
    Students counted
    64
    Earned a year, estimated
    $44,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,500
    students trained with WIOA funding
    14

  • Class AIn personNo diploma needed

    CDL A Program

    2nd Opportunity Trucking School

    Statesville

    No diploma needed

    2nd Opportunity Trucking School, StatesvilleClass AIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,800
    More details about CDL A Program at 2nd Opportunity Trucking School
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $200
    Students counted
    33
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,800

  • Class AIn personEducation and courses

    Truck Driver Training - CDL A

    Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

    Salisbury

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, SalisburyClass A · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$29,300
    Price if you pay yourself$1,807

    18 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Truck Driver Training - CDL A at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
    More details about Truck Driver Training - CDL A at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
    Finished
    87%
    Working at 6 months
    68%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,320
    Length
    9 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $306
    Students counted
    25
    Earned a year, estimated
    $29,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,807
    students trained with WIOA funding
    18
    Program website, Truck Driver Training - CDL A at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

  • CDL (class not stated)HybridNo diploma needed

    Truck Driver Training

    Gaston College

    Dallas

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Gaston College, DallasCDL (class not stated) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$30,900
    Price if you pay yourself$1,999

    9 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Truck Driver Training at Gaston College
    More details about Truck Driver Training at Gaston College
    Finished
    86%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,733
    Length
    9 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $327
    Students counted
    10
    Earned a year, estimated
    $30,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,999
    students trained with WIOA funding
    9
    Program website, Truck Driver Training at Gaston College

  • Class BHybridEducation and courses

    Truck Driver Training - CDL B

    Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

    Salisbury

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, SalisburyClass B · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,807
    Program website, Truck Driver Training - CDL B at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
    More details about Truck Driver Training - CDL B at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $306
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,807
    Program website, Truck Driver Training - CDL B at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

  • Class BIn personNo diploma needed

    CDL PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVING TRAINING - Class B

    Cl Driving School

    Indian Trail

    No diploma needed

    Cl Driving School, Indian TrailClass BIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,750
    School website, CDL PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVING TRAINING - Class B at Cl Driving School
    More details about CDL PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVING TRAINING - Class B at Cl Driving School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $172
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,750
    School website, CDL PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVING TRAINING - Class B at Cl Driving School

  • CDL (class not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CDL Training

    The Driving Edge CDL Academy

    Mooresville

    High school diploma or equivalent

    The Driving Edge CDL Academy, MooresvilleCDL (class not stated)In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,775
    Program website, CDL Training at The Driving Edge CDL Academy
    More details about CDL Training at The Driving Edge CDL Academy
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 38 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $225
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,775
    Program website, CDL Training at The Driving Edge CDL Academy

How to pay for CDL training in Charlotte

WIOA funding can pay for CDL training in Charlotte

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for CDL training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

Company-paid CDL training

Some trucking companies run their own schools and may pay the tuition if you drive for them for a set time, such as a year.9

GI Bill for CDL training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.10

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in Charlotte

How CDL training compares with the rest of transportation and logistics across North Carolina: Transportation and logistics training in North Carolina

Where the Charlotte truck driving program numbers come from

Which Charlotte truck driving programs are on this list?

These are the truck driving programs with classes in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).11 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the North Carolina page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of Charlotte truck driving programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about CDL training in Charlotte

Show the 11 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers
  2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 49 CFR part 380, subpart F, Entry-level driver training requirements
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee: Task 21-1 discussion notes (2021)
  10. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  11. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List