The onset of any new career can be costly. It would help if you had equipment, training, certifications, and more. It becomes overwhelming if you dwell on the long list of potential expenditures.
So, here’s our recommendation (Make sure you write it down):
- Don’t do that
Instead, consider the price tags factored into the required schooling for many other professional careers.
One semester at most colleges and universities costs up to six times or more the entire price of truck driving school. That’s a big deal, considering the average starting salary for full-time, long-haul drivers is over twice that of the national average for other professionals just out of school.
Truck driving school costs will vary, of course, based on the institution you choose, possible financial support, and where you live, but most fall between $3,000 and $10,000 when all is said and done.
Wherever you live, the goal at the end of all your training is obtaining the coveted CDL. Additional fees are associated with this last step, so below are a few things to consider in your future investment budgeting that could make a difference in how you approach getting your license.
Just how much is a trucking license?
Depending on which state you live in, there are a variety of different factors that determine the cost of getting a CDL. Drivers should consult their Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to see if their state charges the following fees for obtaining a CDL:
- CDL application fees
In Georgia, the fee to apply for your CDL is currently only $35.
- Road test fees
A road skills test is an important requirement that showcases all the time you’ve put into preparing for that point. Again, in Georgia, the cost for this comes to $50.
- The license itself (Class A, B, C, etc.)
The cost for the card itself, which is good for eight years $32.
- Additional endorsements (e.g., hazmat, doubles, etc.)
All endorsements except Hazmat are valid for the term of the CDL and are automatically renewed when your CDL is renewed without additional fees. Hazmat requires renewal every five years. All endorsements added after the initial issuance require a one-time $5 fee. A For-Hire endorsement comes to $15.
That wasn’t so bad, was it? Like Georgia, many other states have identical fees and costs, though some may vary, but not by more than a few dollars.
Considering the fact that many trucking companies pay for fees, training, and even provide signing bonuses upon employment, there shouldn’t be many financial stumbling blocks to keep you from pursuing your goals.
There is a significant need for truck drivers right now. Trucking companies like us at Super K are hiring all over the country. The payoff for all the hard work and expenses is well worth it.
So please don’t get overwhelmed at the cost, because it’s not about expenses. In the end, it’s an investment… A good one.
