CDL training in Rhode Island

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

2 schools offer these truck driving programs, and Rhode Island has approved every one for workforce funding. 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 Rhode Island, all 3 programs take students without a high school diploma.

By kind, the 3 programs here are Class A (2 programs) and Class B (1 program).

See the 3 programs

More nearby: 10 CDL training programs in Providence, Rhode Island

How much does CDL training cost in Rhode Island?

$4,500 to $6,500

from the lowest-priced program to the highest, if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5

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

Is there free CDL training in Rhode Island?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.³⁴⁵In program year 2024 it paid toward the training of at least 135 people at 3 of the 3 programs here.
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁶ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁵
Or pay yourself. These programs cost $4,500 to $6,500.

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

All 3 CDL training programs in Rhode Island approved for WIOA funding

3 programs

Class AIn personNo diploma needed
CDL Class A Training Program
Teamsters Local 251 Driving School
East Providence
No diploma needed
Teamsters Local 251 Driving School, East ProvidenceClass AIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$57,100
Price if you pay yourself$5,500
35 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, CDL Class A Training Program at Teamsters Local 251 Driving School
More details about CDL Class A Training Program at Teamsters Local 251 Driving School
Finished
87%
Working at 6 months
86%
Earned in a quarter
$14,273
Length
8 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
345
Earned a year, estimated
$57,100
Price if you pay yourself
$5,500
students trained with WIOA funding
35
Program website, CDL Class A Training Program at Teamsters Local 251 Driving School
Class AIn personNo diploma needed
CDL Class A
International CDL
Johnston
No diploma needed
International CDL, JohnstonClass AIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$46,000
Price if you pay yourself$6,500
94 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, CDL Class A at International CDL
More details about CDL Class A at International CDL
Finished
83%
Working at 6 months
84%
Earned in a quarter
$11,493
Length
10 weeks, 22 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$75
Students counted
263
Earned a year, estimated
$46,000
Price if you pay yourself
$6,500
students trained with WIOA funding
94
Program website, CDL Class A at International CDL
Class BIn personNo diploma needed
CDL Class B
International CDL
Johnston
No diploma needed
International CDL, JohnstonClass BIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$44,600
Price if you pay yourself$4,500
6 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, CDL Class B at International CDL
More details about CDL Class B at International CDL
Finished
96%
Working at 6 months
60%
Earned in a quarter
$11,142
Length
10 weeks, 22 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$75
Students counted
31
Earned a year, estimated
$44,600
Price if you pay yourself
$4,500
students trained with WIOA funding
6
Program website, CDL Class B at International CDL

How to pay for CDL training in Rhode Island

WIOA funding can pay for CDL training in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island

Where the Rhode Island truck driving program numbers come from

Which Rhode Island truck driving programs are on this list?

These are the truck driving programs Rhode Island 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. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Rhode Island offers.

How the prices and results of Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island

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