Truck Driving Schools in Alabama

Truck driving is an art. It requires skill, precision, technical knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving in sometimes uncomfortable situations. Anyone who would like to pursue a career as a heavy truck driver in Alabama should be willing to go through the preparatory stages needed to develop the expertise and meet the national and state requirements.

To help the preparation go as smoothly as possible, we have provided an in-depth guide below for interested individuals. This guide contains, among other things, the basic prerequisites needed to become a heavy truck driver in Alabama, along with the educational requirements and possible licensure/certification requirements.

Towards the end of the guide, we also reveal important figures concerning the annual average salary for a heavy truck driver in the state to expect at various career junctions.

How to Become a Truck Driver in Alabama

Below are the steps needed to become a heavy truck driver in Alabama.

Step 1: Get a Conditional Learner’s Permit

Before earning a commercial driver’s license, candidates must first earn what is known as a Conditional Learner’s Permit (CLP). This will permit them to drive a commercial vehicle during the learning process.

Step 2: Attend a Training Program

It is common for candidates to attend training programs to prepare for their licensing tests while acquiring valuable skills that will serve them well once they secure employment. The state of Alabama has several worthy options for candidates to consider, and we highlight some prominent ones in an upcoming section below.

Candidates who attend training programs may also have an edge in securing employment upon graduation. This is because some training programs have strong connections with potential employers, and some training programs are offered by potential employers, leading to direct job placement upon program completion.

Step 3: Pass the CDL Tests

Lastly, candidates must pass all their CDL tests, including written and road tests. Those who have completed sound training programs would have already received a robust preparation for both of these tests.

The following section discusses other steps and considerations for earning a commercial driver’s license in Alabama.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn to become an auto mechanic in Alabama

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Along with the prerequisites mentioned above, candidates who want to earn a commercial driver’s license in Alabama must also submit proof of their social security number (card, tax forms, etc.) and some medical forms, such as vision certification or diabetes exemption.

They must also schedule an appointment near a regular driver’s license office that can handle commercial driver’s licenses. Candidates must bring their current driver’s license and Conditional Learner’s Permit to the appointment.

Obtaining a conditional learner’s permit in Alabama involves a $25 testing fee, while obtaining a commercial driver’s license incurs a $20 skills test fee.

The licensing fee depends on the particular license. Class A CDL, for instance, costs $66.25, while Class B CDL costs $56.25. Class C CDL costs $36.25.

Top Truck Driver Schools in Alabama

The following are some notable truck driving schools in Alabama for candidates to consider.

Explore truck driving schools in Alabama by City:

• Truck driving schools in Birmingham

Salary & Career Outlook

A heavy truck driver in Alabama who has put in the effort to be among the highest-paid in the state will earn an annual average salary of $209,394. Those still among the lowest-paid in the state can take home an annual average salary of around $38,201.

Generally, though, most truck drivers in the state will fall among the midpoint earners, making an annual salary of $89,438 — which is also in line with the national average.

The best places to practice in the state for a relatively high annual return include Tuscaloosa, with an annual average salary of $101,153; Birmingham, with an annual average salary of $98,847; Montgomery, with an annual average salary of $98,129; Mobile, with an annual average salary of $92,496; and Gadsden, with an annual average salary of $90,779.

Apart from location, experience, and employer, the annual average earnings of a heavy truck driver in Alabama are also greatly influenced.