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To become a truck driver in Texas you first need to meet some requirements and then attend a training school.
Article Table of Contents
Requirements
Those who want to become truck drivers need to:
- Pass a drug test
- Have a clean driving record
- Be at least 21 years old
- Reside legally in USA
- Provide references from past employers.
As a truck driver you can only have one of these types of CDLs:
- CDL Class A
- CDL Class B
- CDL Class C
Class C is the first one you can get, with B and A being a form of upgrading.
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Request InfoCLD-A allows you to also drive the Class B and C vehicles, and its owner can have more trucking jobs to choose from.
Choosing a School
There are 2 types of schools you can find:
- company owned
- independently owned
The difference between these is that you might get hired by the school at which you trained if it’s company owned.
You’ll have to find a job on your own if you enroll in an independently owned school.
The school however, regardless of who owns it, can help by introducing you to businesses in need of personnel with your type of training.
Career Options
The trucking industry is not only about driving: there are several other options available in this field that could be a better choice.
At some of the schools, you can get a Bachelors’ degree and enter the logistic chain.
You could be learning about:
- Inventory turns,
- Waste reduction,
- How the supply chain changes
- How to ensure goods remain in supply
- How to improve your customer service skills
- Teamwork
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| AAA CDL School | 14803 Camino Rancho Dr., Houston, TX 77083 |
| Academy School of Careers - El Paso | 9001 Cashew Drive Suite 100 El Paso, TX 79907 |
| Academy School of Careers - Carrollton | 1925 E Belt Line Road Suite 525 Carrollton, TX 75006 |
| Action Career Training | 598 Westwood, Abilene, TX 76541 |
| Action Career Training | 1403 W Ferguson, Pharr, TX 78577 |
| Action Career Training | 408 E. Ave. G Ste 4, Killeen, TX 76540 |
| Alamo Truck Driving School | 4300 South East Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78222, USA |
| Alvin Community College | 3110 Mustang Road, Alvin, TX 77511 |
| Amarillo College of Truck Driving | 1310 F Ave, Amarillo, TX 79111 |
| Amarillo College Truck Driving Academy | Moore County Campus Career and Technical Center 115 Success Blvd. Dumas, Texas |
| Amarillo College Truck Driving Academy | McDougal Hinkson Memorial Campus 1115 West 15th Street, Hereford, TX 79045 |
| Amarillo College of Truck Driving | 1314 S. Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79101 |
| Associated Training Services | 24143 Interstate 20, Wills Point, TX 75169 |
| ATDS | 124 Truckers Ln, Elm Mott, TX 76640 |
| ATDS | 1105 E Central Texas Expy, Killeen, TX 76541 |
| Austin Community College ACC Commercial Vehicle Operator Training Program | 1501 US-290, Elgin, TX 78621 |
| Austin Community College | 1331 North State Highway 123, San Marcos, TX 78666 |
| Austin CDL Services | 8106 E Parmer Ln, Manor, TX 78653 |
| Bear Cat Truck Driving School | 2799 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford, TX 76088 |
| Bill Priest Institute | 1402 Corinth, Dallas, TX 75215 |
| Blinn College | 5503 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX 77845 |
| Brookhaven College | 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75244 |
| C1 Truck Driver Training | 6711 Camp Bowie Blvd Fort Worth, TX 76116 |
| C.R. England | 8422 Amparan Rd., Laredo, TX 78045 |
| Career Trucking School - Tyler Junior College Site | 6986 County Rd 384, Tyler, TX 75708 |
| Career Trucking School - Paris Junior College | 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX 75460 |
| Career Trucking School - Richland College | 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas, TX 75243 |
| CDL Help | 3901 W Arkansas Ln, Arlington, TX 76016, USA |
| CDL Test Truck | 801 Sandy Creek Dr., Allen, TX 75002 |
| CDL Express Truck Rentals | 9800 Eastex Fwy, Houston, TX 77093 |
| Central Texas College | 6200 West Central Texas Expwy, Killeen, TX 76549 |
| Center for Employment Training (CET) - El Paso | 294 Candelaria Street El Paso, TX 79907 |
| Class A CDL | 11354 Eastex Frwy. Houston, Texas 77039 |
| Collin County Community College | 2200 West University Drive, McKinney, TX 75071 |
| Continental Truck Driver Training & Education School | 6704 S RL Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75232 |
| Continental Truck Driver Training & Education School | 5005 Brentwood Stair Road, Suite 206, Fort Worth, TX 76112 |
| Continental Truck Driver - Training & Education School - Dallas | 6614 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75232 |
| Cypress Truck Driving School | 102 Spinks Rd, Abilene, TX 79603, USA |
| Del Mar College | 101 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404 |
| Drive Pro | 123 Street Brownwood, TX 76801 |
| Drive Pro | 1835 W. Lingleville Road Stephenville, TX 76401 |
| E Z Commercial Drivers License | 12490 Highway 59 Cleveland, Houston, TX 77039 |
| Eastfield College | 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150 |
| Get It Done CDL | 5523 Brunswick, Houston, Tx 77039 |
| Grayson Truck Driving School | 6101 Grayson Drive, Denison, TX 75020 |
| Houston Community College Professional Truck Driver | 3100 Main St, Houston TX 77002 |
| Howard College Commercial Truck Driving | 3100 Main St, Houston TX 77002 |
| International Business College Truck Driving - Main Campus | 1155 N. Zaragosa, Suite 100 El Paso, Texas 79907 |
| International Business College Truck Driving - Branch Campus | 5700 Cromo Dr. El Paso, Texas 79912 |
| International Schools - Austin | 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, Texas 78752 |
| International Schools - Dallas | 8290 South Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas |
| International Schools - Lubbock | 3610 Ave Q Ste. 111, Lubbock, Texas 79412-1249 |
| International Schools - Marshall | 2400 E End Blvd S, Marshall, TX 75672 75671 |
| International Schools - McAllen | 3700 W. Military Hwy, McAllen, Texas |
| International Schools - Odessa | 2715 Robertson Ave, Odessa, Texas |
| International Schools - Texarkana | 2500 North Robison Road, Texarkana, TX 75599 |
| Kilgore College Commercial Driving Academy | Woodruff Adult Education Center 220 US-259 BUS, Kilgore, TX 75662 |
| L.I.T. Professional Truck Driving Academy | 855 E Lavaca St, Beaumont, TX 77705 |
| Laredo Community College Professional Truck Driver Course | South Campus 5500 South Zapata Highway Laredo, TX 78046 |
| Lee College CDL Truck Driving Program | CDL Truck Driving program Wynne Unit, FM 2821 Road West, Huntsville, TX |
| LHCT Truck Driver Training | 4408 State Highway 359 Laredo, Texas |
| Lone Star College (LSC) Professional Truck Driver Course | North Harris 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive Houston, TX 77073-3499 |
| Lufkin Truck Driving Academy | 2006 N. Timberland Dr., Lufkin, Texas 75901 |
| Mesilla Valley Training Institute | 7440 Doniphan Drive, Canutillo, TX |
| Midland College Transportation Training | 4300 N Lamesa Rd Midland, TX 79705 |
| Millis Training Institute | 3501 South Interstate 35W Burleson, TX 76028 |
| MT Training Center | 1801 S Great Southwest Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75051 |
| My Texas CDL | 564 Cody Road Ennis, TX 75119 |
| NTCC Professional Driving Academy | Tex Americas Center 107 Chapel Ln, New Boston, TX 75570 |
| NTI Professional Truck Driver Training | 4005 Campus Drive, Fort Worth TX 76119 |
| Paris Junior College Truck Driving | 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, Texas 75460 |
| Premier Truck Driving Schools (C.R. England) | 1230 So. Highway 67 Cedar Hill, TX 75104 |
| Ranger College - Trucking Program | 1100 College Circle Ranger, TX 76470 |
| Reyna CDL Driver Training | 6516 S. 1st Street Austin, Texas 78745 |
| Roadmaster Drivers School of San Antonio, TX | 927 Eddie Road San Antonio, TX 78219 |
| SAGE Truck Driving School - San Antonio | 6802 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78219 |
| San Jacinto College Truck Driving School | Central Campus 8060 Spencer Hwy. Pasadena,TX 77501 |
| Southern Careers Institute - CDL Driver Training | 1701 W Ben White Blvd. Suite 100 Austin, TX 78704 |
| Stevens Transport - Dallas | 9757 Military Parkway Dallas TX 75227 |
| Stevens Transport - Houston | Lone Star College 24037 W Hardy Rd, Houston, TX 77013 |
| Swift Driving Academy | 2450 S. Business Highway 45, Corsicana, TX 75110 |
| Texarkana College Professional Driving Academy | 2500 North Robison Road Texarkana, Texas 75599 |
| Texas State Technical College - TSTC Marshall | 3801 Campus Drive, Waco, Texas 76705 |
| Truck Driver Institute – Dallas TX | 8701 Peterbilt Avenue, Dallas, TX 75241 |
| Vision Truck Driving School | 7441 Marvin D. Love Frwy. Suite #204 Dallas, Texas 75237 |
| Weatherford College - Truck Driving Academy | Mineral Wells Education Center 704 Hood Road Mineral Wells, TX 76067 |
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Diesel technology programs are also available at some of these schools.
These programs last either one year and you get a certificate, or 2 years and get an Associates’ diploma.
Paying for your education at any of these schools shouldn’t be a financial burden.
Some employers offer to pay for the schooling of their future employees while some students may qualify for scholarships.
Don’t be afraid to ask about these options.
Given how many schools you can choose from in Texas for a career related to trucks, only knowing these details can make the choice easier.
Job Prospects
As mentioned, finding a job should be fairly easy once you complete your education, especially if the school will help out.
On top of this, know that there are many trucking firms in Texas, including leasing centers, repair shops, delivery services, and more.
If you want to know how much you’ll earn as a truck driver, have a look at the table below.
Those are the median salaries for this profession, in Texas’ major cities.
Annual Salary Range:$38K
$43K
$50K
10%
50%
90%
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $45,416 |
| San Antonio | $43,085 |
| Dallas | $43,881 |
| Austin | $43,577 |
| Fort Worth | $43,174 |
| El Paso | $38,755 |
| Arlington | $43,104 |
| Corpus Christi | $41,092 |
| Plano | $43,692 |
| Laredo | $39,244 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 1,070 | $53,570 | $25.76 | $86,030 | $34,330 |
| Amarillo, TX | 2,220 | $53,580 | $25.76 | $75,980 | $34,390 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 10,180 | $54,790 | $26.34 | $76,420 | $37,500 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 2,180 | $50,680 | $24.37 | $70,270 | $35,220 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 1,640 | $49,160 | $23.63 | $71,140 | $31,040 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 1,320 | $47,920 | $23.04 | $63,250 | $34,270 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 2,430 | $51,020 | $24.53 | $72,550 | $31,690 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 60,370 | $58,960 | $28.35 | $84,760 | $37,600 |
| El Paso, TX | 7,360 | $44,650 | $21.46 | $67,850 | $21,160 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 47,590 | $55,260 | $26.57 | $76,510 | $35,390 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 1,960 | $52,130 | $25.06 | $82,440 | $35,290 |
| Laredo, TX | 5,240 | $51,330 | $24.68 | $79,910 | $29,320 |
| Longview, TX | 2,050 | $53,230 | $25.59 | $80,370 | $34,440 |
| Lubbock, TX | 2,120 | $50,300 | $24.18 | $73,770 | $30,960 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 4,600 | $48,380 | $23.26 | $66,350 | $28,620 |
| Midland, TX | 4,700 | $57,520 | $27.66 | $75,800 | $42,140 |
| Odessa, TX | 3,050 | $54,650 | $26.27 | $74,420 | $38,250 |
| San Angelo, TX | 740 | $48,980 | $23.55 | $74,720 | $33,440 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 15,560 | $50,940 | $24.49 | $72,190 | $32,460 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 710 | $52,180 | $25.09 | $74,860 | $36,320 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 1,140 | $55,340 | $26.6 | $83,130 | $36,070 |
| Tyler, TX | 1,570 | $48,520 | $23.33 | $66,560 | $27,600 |
| Victoria, TX | 790 | $54,040 | $25.98 | $75,970 | $36,120 |
| Waco, TX | 1,620 | $50,290 | $24.18 | $70,000 | $35,560 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 710 | $50,550 | $24.3 | $70,200 | $33,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Truck drivers can expect 19% more job openings, while diesel mechanics can expect an 18% increase in available positions.
Conclusion
The trucking industry is one in which you enter very fast, so what are you waiting for?
Start preparing for a new career now!
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
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