5 Steps to Earning Your CDL in Arizona

Every year, thousands of men and women go through truck driver training programs across the United States, earning their commercial driver's license to start their careers as professional truck drivers. While the specifics of obtaining a CDL can vary slightly between states, just like a regular driver's license, it is good in every state. Great! So how exactly do you go about getting a CDL in Arizona? Keep reading to find out!

The first thing you'll need to do is decide which truck driver training school will best suit you. Depending on where you are in the U.S., CDL schools may cost upwards of $10,000, but you'll find that most cost between $3,000 - $5,000. However, there are many trucking companies that will reimburse part or all of the cost of your schooling, once you begin working for them, as long as you work for their company for at least two years. There are also types of financial aid available, including state grants, private loans, in-house financing, and GI Bill benefits for those students who qualify. (For tips on how to pick a great truck driver training school, click here). Now that you've chosen Southwest Truck Driver Training as your CDL training academy, you can check item one off the list.

Second, once you have enrolled at SWTDT, we will put you in contact with one of our contracted physicians so that you may schedule your DOT physical, which must be completed before you may begin classes. To find out about the DOT physical standards, click here.

The third step, which SWTDT will also assign to you ahead of time, is to look into various job opportunities and come to us with your list so that we can help. If you can get started on the hiring process ahead of time, you will be able to get right to work once you graduate, leaving no unnecessary gaps in income. We want you to be successful in your new career, and planning ahead by finding a job early is key in this endeavor.

The fourth step to obtaining your CDL is studying for and passing the CDL Permit Test. This is the "classroom" portion of your training. Before you get behind the wheel, our instructors will teach you everything you need to know in order to pass the CDL Permit Test. And you won't just be sitting around in a classroom; we give you hands-on learning to help you remember and understand what you need to know. These are things that you'll eventually be doing on a daily basis as a professional truck driver, and it is important to be confident and proficient in your knowledge. Simply memorizing a booklet will not get you where you need to be. 

Once you have completed this portion of our program, we will send you off to take the exam, which can only be done at the Arizona MVD. In Arizona, you will need to bring the following items to the AZ MVD the day of your exam:

• Your completed, signed DOT Physical Exam Form
• Proof that you have held a regular driver's license for at least one year.
• An Arizona driver's license.
• Social Security card

As soon as you pass the CDL Permit Test, you'll be able to start the skills portion of your training. Get ready to get behind the wheel of a big rig!

Preparing for and passing the CDL Skills Test is the fifth and final step in earning your commercial driver's license. 

Our newest in a line of many trucks you'll be proud to drive. We love our Vets!

Alongside an instructor, you will get behind the wheel of one of our trucks and practice certain things on-site, such as pre-trip inspection and backing maneuvers. 

You'll also get to move off-site and hit the roads around town. Each of our locations has a specific route the trucks follow that has been carefully laid out to ensure that you encounter many types of driving situations. 

Once you have logged enough time behind the wheel, you'll take the skills test. This is conducted on-site by a 3rd party tester, which means you won't have to schedule an appointment, and possibly wait weeks, to be tested at a government facility. Again, allowing you to start your new job and begin earning income as soon as possible!

SWTDT Tucson grad, Sergio Alvarez

As soon as you pass the skills portion, you are officially a graduate of Southwest Truck Driver Training! All you need to do now is get your CDL in-hand. We will provide you with a sealed envelope, which you will need to take to MVD in order to get your physical license. Then, you are ready to hit the road. 

Not bad, right? So then what are you waiting for? With Arizona campuses in Phoenix and Tucson, (plus a location in Las Vegas, NV) and classes starting all the time, you have plenty of options. Contact us today, and shift your career into high gear!