CAREER TRAINING RESOURCES

Helpful Information About Truck Driving Careers

Check out this selection of articles below to learn more about career choices and how to prepare for in-demand job opportunities.

  • A trainer in an orange safety vest talks with a student driver through the window of a white truck pulling a Walgreens trailer on a training lot

    Truck Driver Pay at a Glance

    Last updated: October 2026. Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) and the American Trucking Associations (2023 data). Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earned a median of $58,640 a year in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Most of these jobs require a Class A CDL. The […]

  • A four-image collage showing a pre-trip inspection of a trailer's landing gear, semi-trucks at a lit truck stop at night, a truck backed into a warehouse loading dock, and a driver behind the wheel of a semi-truck cab.

    A Look at the First Day on the Road After CDL Training

    A new Class A driver’s first day on the road looks different from the highway shots in recruiting ads, and that’s worth knowing going in. Understanding the everyday rhythm of the job, from the morning pre-trip check to finding parking for the night, helps a new graduate start the career with confidence. This walkthrough follows […]

  • Instructor watching student climb into front seat of semi truck

    A Guide to the First Solo Run

    New Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders quickly learn that Class A CDL training only covers so much. Once the first solo run begins, drivers deal with weigh stations, roadside inspections, load securement, and hours of service rules on their own. This guide breaks down what to expect in each situation, step by step. […]

  • truck drivers shaking hands, a row of blue semi trucks parked behind

    Local, Regional, OTR, and Specialized Freight Explained

    A Class A CDL opens the door to more than one type of job. New drivers often picture only one kind of work: long days on the highway, away from home for weeks at a time. That picture leaves out most of the industry. Trucking careers cover a wide range of schedules, routes, and freight […]

  • Truck driver sitting behind the wheel, holding gear shift

    Grants, Company-Sponsorships, and Financing Options

    Most CDL students have more funding options than they initially expect. Before you start, it helps to understand how much CDL training actually costs, so you know how much you’ll need to cover. The most common paths include WIOA workforce grants (which can cover up to 100% of tuition), veterans’ education benefits, company-sponsored training, school […]

  • interstate road at sunset

    Step by Step Guide for Veterans

    The GI Bill covers CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) training for eligible veterans. If you have GI Bill benefits available, attending a VA-approved CDL school can get you licensed without paying out of pocket. How much gets covered depends on your benefit level, which is based on how long you served on active duty. The truth […]