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If you want to start a new career as a truck driver, you first have to get your commercial driver’s license.
Article Table of Contents
Getting a Commercial Driver’s License
Only by attending a Louisiana truck driving school you can earn a CDL.
There are 14 schools to choose from, so they should be accessible enough, regardless of where you live.
You have the opportunity to earn your new driving license in as little as 6 weeks, though expect to find programs lasting up to 8 weeks.
Each driving school has its own fees, but there are also a variety of ways to pay the tuition.
For instance, you can have your employer pay for it.
Another option is to ask the school for a payment plan.
However, you could ask for federal financial aid for almost any truck driving educational program.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Acadiana Technical College | 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506 |
| Career Technical College | 1227 Shreveport-Barksdale Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71105 |
| Coastal Truck Driving School | 42226 S Airport Rd, Hammond, La 70403 |
| Coastal Truck Driving School | 2419 I-49 S, Opelousas, LA 70570 |
| Coastal Truck Driving School | 1182 1st Avenue, Harvey, LA 70058 |
| Coastal Truck Driving School | 450 Hwy 151 N, Calhoun, LA 71225 |
| Coastal Truck Driving School | 4016 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA |
| Coastal Truck Driving School | 7516 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA 71303 |
| Diesel Driving Academy | 8067 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70815 |
| Diesel Driving Academy | 3523 Greenwood Rd, Shreveport, LA 71109 |
| LTC Lafourche Campus | 1425 Tiger Dr, Thibodaux, LA 70301 |
| National Driving Academy Inc | 31 Wicker Lane, Greensburg, LA 70441, USA |
| Northeast Louisiana Technical College West Monroe Campus | 609 Vocational Parkway, West Ouachita Industrial Park, West Monroe, LA 71292 |
| Thomas Truck Driving School | 259 Dixie Rd S, Franklin, LA 70538 |
Earning The CDL
The driving program has 2 parts: the training program that prepares you for the written exam.
You’ll learn about the various truck parts, how to maintain the truck as well as state laws related to driving.
The second part of the training course is actually driving a truck, and you should be working one-on-one with an instructor.
You’ll be spending a sufficient amount of hours behind the wheel of a truck for you to become comfortable while driving it.
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is the body issuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).
The first step is to register for the written exam and pay the $15 exam fee.
Those who pass, get a learner’s permit.
You can register for the skill test when you feel ready, and you’ll get the CDL if you pass the skill exam.
In Orleans, the skill text costs $51, while everywhere else in the state it costs $41.
Income
There are many industries relying on trucks to transport their goods, hence the demand for truck drivers is expected to increase.
In Louisiana, the increase is expected to be 17% while at a national level, the increase is expected to be around 21%.
Commercial drivers in Louisiana earn on average about $42,368 per year, while those in the top 10% earn about $49,101 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $43,904 |
| Baton Rouge | $41,121 |
| Shreveport | $40,661 |
| Metairie | $43,904 |
| Lafayette | $40,633 |
| Lake Charles | $40,076 |
| Bossier City | $40,661 |
| Kenner | $43,880 |
| Monroe | $40,448 |
| Alexandria | $39,184 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 670 | $48,570 | $23.35 | $61,900 | $30,790 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 4,560 | $53,240 | $25.6 | $73,960 | $34,960 |
| Hammond, LA | 600 | $48,460 | $23.3 | $66,040 | $33,730 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 1,270 | $48,270 | $23.21 | $64,900 | $30,150 |
| Lafayette, LA | 3,120 | $51,700 | $24.86 | $68,300 | $20,350 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 910 | $52,280 | $25.14 | $67,860 | $36,050 |
| Monroe, LA | 880 | $45,300 | $21.78 | $61,410 | $28,560 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 5,350 | $52,650 | $25.31 | $75,310 | $31,440 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 3,140 | $46,800 | $22.5 | $63,590 | $24,740 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Job Realities
Truck drivers spend many hours on the road every day, so those who are good at working in solitude are good candidates for the position.
If you find an in-state driving job, you can expect to return home in the evening.
Remember these positions are usually very competitive, and people as young as 18 can be hired.
Interstate driving is also a very common job, and all companies seek candidates over the age of 21 of these positions.
When driving a truck on interstate routes, expect to return home less frequently.
Conclusion
Becoming a truck driver is really easy and the training programs don’t last long either.
Now is the best time to get your CDL in Louisiana.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State