Truck Driving Schools in West Virginia

If you’ve ever thought about driving a truck for a living in West Virginia, you’re not the only one. Many people in the state have found success in the discipline—some immediately after graduating, and others after years of working in a completely different field.

Whatever category readers fall into, they will find a detailed answer on how to achieve the same results through the guide below.

We’ve compiled a straightforward breakdown of what to expect and the key steps to focus on along the way. These include the preparatory requirements, examination preparation, and a list of schools that provide robust education and career services.

We also examine the actual earnings of truck drivers in West Virginia and how each professional can increase their yearly earnings.

How to Become a Truck Driver in West Virginia

Below are the major requirements for starting a truck driving career in West Virginia.

Preparatory Requirements

When preparing for a career as a truck driver in West Virginia, candidates need to gather relevant documents. These include documents that prove their residence or citizenship, a regular driver’s license, and proof of identity.

Medical & Age Requirements

Truck drivers across the country are also expected to demonstrate that they are physically fit and have the right vision for the job by passing a DOT medical examination. For the age requirements, truck drivers in West Virginia must be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving and 21 years old for interstate driving.

Formal Training

Attending a program allows candidates to learn truck driving using a range of modern tools and equipment, specifically vehicles that belong to their respective license class. It also gives them solid preparation for their forthcoming CDL examination.

Candidates may also acquire advanced skills during training, including defensive driving and skills in hazmat, double/triple trailers, school buses, and other endorsements.

Completing the CDL Examination

To take a CDL examination, applicants in West Virginia must already have a learner’s permit. They can then sit for their CDL examination 14 days after obtaining the permit.

Obtaining a commercial learner’s permit involves demonstrating theoretical knowledge of truck driving. Obtaining a CDL involves demonstrating both theoretical and practical skills. We analyze relevant fees and other considerations in the next section.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a freight broker in West Virginia

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The general fees associated with obtaining a CDL in West Virginia include $25 for the commercial driver’s license knowledge test and $100 for the skills test. During the skills test, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in pre-trip inspection and basic controls, such as backing and maneuvering.

Candidates will only be able to take the skills test after passing the other tests.

Additional costs and fees typically associated with having a CDL in West Virginia include $10 for any endorsement, $5 for a license upgrade, and $86.50 for a fingerprint and background check for candidates pursuing HAZMAT qualification.

Top Truck Driver Schools in West Virginia

The following are the most prominent training programs to consider for prospective truck drivers in West Virginia.

Explore truck driving schools in West Virginia by City:

• Truck driving schools in Charleston

Salary & Career Outlook

The best places to work as a truck driver in West Virginia, in terms of annual average salary figures, include Charleston, with an annual average salary of $96,821; New Martinsville, with an annual average salary of $90,571; and Clarksburg, with an annual average salary of $88,841.

As important as location is in influencing a truck driver’s earnings in a state, it is not the only factor to consider. Other criteria, such as experience level, employer, endorsements, and credentials, are also important when determining where a candidate will fall in the salary bracket.

The most common brackets are those of median earners, who manage an annual average salary of $86,148, according to Indeed. Professionals in the state can also fall among the top 10%, making an annual average salary of $194,399, or among the bottom 10%, whose annual average salary is around $38,176.