Trade Career Guide
How to Become a CDL Truck Driver
Heavy and tractor-trailer drivers transport goods over intercity and long-distance routes. A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required, and endorsements like HazMat raise your earning potential.
Median salary
$57,440
per year · BLS May 2024
Typical range
$38,640–$78,800
~10th–90th percentile
Job outlook
+4%
2024–2034 · About as fast as average
Time to qualify
About 3–7 weeks of CDL training
Step-by-step: becoming a CDL Truck Driver
- 1
Be at least 18 (21+ for interstate driving) with a clean driving record.
- 2
Get a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
- 3
Complete FMCSA-required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).
- 4
Pass the CDL knowledge and skills (road) tests.
- 5
Add endorsements — HazMat, Tanker, Passenger, Doubles/Triples — for higher-paying loads.
- 6
Keep your DOT medical certification current.
Typical entry path: Truck-driving school (postsecondary nondegree award); Commercial Driver's License (CDL) required.
Ready to pass the CDL knowledge & endorsement exams?
The licensing exam is the gate to this career. Practice free on VoltExam with real exam-style questions and instant explanations — no signup to start.
Explore other trade careers
Salary and job-outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, SOC 53-3032; OEWS wages May 2024; Occupational Outlook Handbook projections 2024–2034). National medians; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. Verify current figures at bls.gov.