Birmingham Area
3 Schools
Shelton State CDL Program
Tuscaloosa / Serves Greater Birmingham
Community college CDL program with competitive tuition compared to private schools. Covers general knowledge, pre-trip inspection, and behind-the-wheel hours. Financial aid and WIOA workforce grants may apply.
Jefferson State CDL Training
Birmingham, AL
Jefferson State Community College's truck driver training program provides hands-on Class A CDL preparation. One of the more affordable public options in the Birmingham metro. Financial aid may be available for eligible students.
TDI — Truck Driver Institute (Birmingham)
Birmingham, AL (National school with Alabama presence)
National CDL school with a strong job placement program. TDI partners with major carriers and has a track record of placing graduates in OTR and regional routes. Financing available. Programs run approximately 4 weeks of intensive training.
Huntsville / North Alabama
2 Schools
Calhoun Community College CDL
Decatur / Huntsville, AL
Calhoun's CDL program covers ELDT requirements for first-time CDL applicants. Community college pricing means lower tuition than private schools, and WIOA workforce development funding may be available to eligible students in North Alabama.
Northeast Alabama Community College CDL
Rainsville, AL (serves NE Alabama)
NACC offers truck driver training for students in northeast Alabama, covering pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving. One of the closest public CDL training options for students in DeKalb, Cherokee, and Marshall counties.
Mobile / South Alabama
2 Schools
Bishop State CDL Program
Mobile, AL
Bishop State Community College's CDL program serves Mobile and the surrounding Gulf Coast region. Community college tuition rates and small class sizes make this one of the most accessible training options for south Alabama residents entering the trucking industry.
SAGE Truck Driving Schools
Serving Alabama (regional campus)
SAGE is a nationally recognized private CDL school that has trained over 100,000 drivers. They offer job placement assistance and work with national carriers for direct hiring pipelines. Financing and payment plans available.
Montgomery / Central Alabama
2 Schools
Trenholm State CDL Training
Montgomery, AL
Trenholm State's CDL program is one of Montgomery's most accessible options for first-time CDL applicants. Covers all ELDT requirements. Located in the state capital with connections to state agencies and regional employers in transportation and logistics.
Central Alabama Community College CDL
Alexander City / Serves Central AL
CACC serves students across Elmore, Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Chilton counties in central Alabama. An accessible option for students who don't want to travel to Birmingham or Montgomery for training.
Tuscaloosa / West Alabama
1 School
Shelton State CDL Program
Tuscaloosa, AL
Shelton State is West Alabama's primary public CDL training option. The program is designed to meet all ELDT federal requirements and covers classroom instruction alongside behind-the-wheel training. Workforce development funding may reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly.
Get Your CDL Free — Company-Sponsored Programs
The fastest (and cheapest) way to get your CDL in Alabama is through a carrier-sponsored training program. These companies pay for your entire CDL training — including tuition, fees, and sometimes a training stipend — in exchange for a 1–2 year driving commitment after you're licensed. If you leave before the commitment is up, you'll typically owe back a portion of the training cost.
Werner Enterprises
Sponsored CDL training through Werner's driving academy. OTR, regional, and dedicated lanes. Strong Alabama presence.
Free CDL Training
Schneider National
Schneider's Ride of Pride program includes CDL training. Multiple Alabama distribution hubs. Training stipend during program.
Training Stipend
Swift Transportation
Swift's CDL training program is one of the largest in the country. New drivers can start earning within weeks of enrollment.
Free CDL Training
C.R. England
C.R. England's CDL training program accepts applicants with no experience. Guaranteed job placement upon graduation.
Guaranteed Placement
USA Truck
Arkansas-based carrier with Alabama routes. Offers CDL training for first-time drivers interested in long-haul OTR.
Free CDL Training
KLLM Transport Services
Mississippi-based carrier with Southeast focus. Sponsored CDL training with a regional route option post-graduation.
Regional Routes
What to Look for When Choosing a CDL School
FMCSA Registration
Since February 2022, first-time CDL applicants must complete training at an FMCSA-registered school. Verify on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before enrolling.
Truck-to-Student Ratio
Lower is better. More time behind the wheel means better preparation. Ask how many students share each truck and how many total driving hours you'll get.
Pass Rate Transparency
Ask what percentage of students pass the CDL skills test on their first attempt. Reputable schools will share this number. Aim for 80%+ first-attempt pass rates.
Job Placement Support
The best private schools have carrier relationships and active job placement programs. Community college programs may be lighter on placement support — factor this into your decision.
Funding Options
Ask about WIOA workforce grants, Pell grants (community colleges), and payment plans. Alabama's workforce system sometimes covers CDL training for eligible workers who have been displaced.
Schedule Flexibility
If you're currently working, ask whether evening or weekend programs are available. Some community colleges offer part-time CDL training that takes 12–16 weeks but accommodates a day job.