If you are preparing for a new career behind the wheel, you may be wondering how long it takes to get a CDL in Texas and when you could realistically begin working. The answer depends on your training schedule, preparation, testing availability and individual progress. At ATDS Truck Driving School, students can complete our weekday Class A CDL training program in four weeks or attend weekend classes over 10 weekends.
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If you are preparing for a new career behind the wheel, you may be wondering how long it takes to get a CDL in Texas and when you could realistically begin working. The answer depends on your training schedule, preparation, testing availability and individual progress. At ATDS Truck Driving School, students can complete our weekday Class A CDL training program in four weeks or attend weekend classes over 10 weekends.
Understanding each stage of the process can help you establish realistic expectations and prepare for a productive training experience.
Obtaining a Class A commercial driver’s license involves more than passing one driving test. You must meet eligibility requirements, secure a commercial learner’s permit, complete required training and demonstrate your skills.
A typical Class A timeline includes:
Some of these stages can overlap. For example, ATDS students do not need to obtain their commercial learner’s permit before beginning school. Permit preparation and testing are included in our curriculum.
The right CDL training length depends largely on whether you attend classes during the week or on weekends. We offer two schedules to accommodate different needs.
Our weekday program lasts four weeks. Students attend Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. This concentrated schedule is a good fit for people who want to complete training and begin pursuing employment as soon as possible.
Because the program is only 20 instructional days, regular attendance is important. If a student must miss a day or two, we schedule additional training days after the expected graduation date so the missed instruction can be completed.
Students who cannot attend full-time weekday classes can complete the program over 10 weekends. Weekend classes meet Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Although the total CDL program time is longer on the calendar, this option allows many students to continue working or managing other weekday responsibilities while preparing for a trucking career.
Our Class A program combines classroom education with practical experience. Students need both forms of instruction to understand commercial driving regulations and safely control a tractor-trailer.
Training covers areas such as:
Students train with experienced instructors on private driving ranges and public highways. We also have manual and automatic trucks available. Keep in mind that testing in an automatic truck results in an automatic-transmission restriction on the CDL. Removing that restriction later requires passing another driving test in a manual vehicle.
Texas requires drivers to hold a commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days before taking the CDL skills test. This waiting period gives applicants time to gain supervised driving experience. The permit stage does not necessarily add two weeks after graduation. When it is incorporated into the training schedule, the required holding period may occur while the student is completing classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
Before starting school, students should prepare the required documents. These generally include:
Arriving prepared can help prevent avoidable delays.
After completing training and holding the learner’s permit for the required period, you must pass the CDL skills test. The assessment includes three major components:
Several factors can affect how quickly the process is completed. These include testing availability, missing documents, attendance, permit exam results, and whether additional practice or retesting is needed.
ATDS has state-approved third-party examiners authorized to administer CDL tests, and we also use Department of Public Safety testing locations. The testing location and timing may depend on class size and examiner availability.
For many students asking how long to get a CDL in Texas, the practical answer is about four weeks with full-time weekday training or 10 weekends with our weekend schedule. Your complete timeline can vary based on permit requirements, attendance, testing availability, and personal progress.
Since 1982, ATDS Truck Driving School has helped thousands of students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to pursue trucking careers. We provide hands-on training, modern equipment, testing support, and lifetime job placement assistance for our graduates. Explore our Texas locations and contact us to request free information about starting your Class A CDL training.