Truck Driving Schools in Iowa

Acquiring a CDL is vital to becoming a truck driver in Iowa as it is anywhere else in the country. Luckily, the process of acquiring a CDL in Iowa is as straightforward as it can get.

Candidates who understand the process from the start, before embarking on the journey, will have an edge over the competition and be able to make optimal decisions along the way. This is why we have provided the guide on this page: to help interested individuals become familiar with everything to expect as they prepare for their prospective truck driving career in Iowa.

The guide also includes additional resources such as training programs for the best education and salary projections depending on key criteria.

How to Become a Truck Driver in Iowa

Aspiring Iowa truck drivers must follow the steps below to launch their careers.

Step 1: Meet the Minimum Requirements

Some minimum requirements for starting a truck driving career in Iowa include being at least 18 years old for in-state driving, being at least 21 for interstate driving, having identity documents, and having a residency document, which may be a regular driver’s license.

Step 2: Passing the Knowledge Test

Candidates must pass a written exam to acquire their commercial learner’s permit, which will help them practice with an actual heavy truck. The state provides various training resources that candidates may leverage to prepare for their written exams.

Candidates must also prove they are citizens of the country or have permission to work there.

Step 3: Skills Test

Candidates who feel that they are well-prepared may then officially apply for their CDL. They will have to pass a skills test where they drive a truck in their chosen category under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.

The skills test examines candidates in various areas of truck driving, including pre-trip inspection, basic maneuvers, and more.

Step 4: Attending a Training Program

Iowa candidates can attend a high-quality training program to prepare for their knowledge, skills, and employment tests. Attending a prominent training program may also help candidates secure job placement, introducing them to all the advanced concepts they will most likely have to deal with when they finally secure employment.

In an upcoming section, we explore a few of the best training programs for candidates in the state to consider.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

The above steps are enough to obtain a commercial driver’s license in Iowa. However, candidates must be familiar with several fees.

This starts with the commercial learner’s permit (CLP), which costs $12. Candidates must pay a $8 fee for their actual CDL regardless of their specific vehicle class.

The fee for additional endorsements is $10 for passenger and school bus endorsements and $5 for double/triple trailers, tankers, and hazardous materials endorsements.

Even though the CDL fee is $8, it is charged for every valid year. So, individuals who receive a 6-year license, for instance, will pay a total of $48.

Top Truck Driver Schools in Iowa

The following are some top-class truck driving training programs for candidates in Iowa to consider.

Explore truck driving schools in Iowa by City:

• Truck driving schools in Des Moines

Salary & Career Outlook

The highest-paid truck drivers in Iowa earn an annual average salary of $156,435, while the lowest-paid earn an annual average salary of $51,418. The average earner makes $89,686 per year.

Naturally, there are several factors capable of affecting these figures one way or the other.

Most notable among them are specialty and endorsements, experience, and employer. Of course, location is also a criterion that must be considered.

In this regard, Council Bluffs is the state’s highest-paying location for truck drivers, with an annual average salary of $127,495. It is followed by Waterloo and Iowa City, with annual average salaries of $122,272 and $121,715, respectively.

Other notable mentions are Cedar Rapids, with an annual average salary of $116,543, and Des Moines, with an annual average salary of $108,720.