Ohio Truck Driving Schools

Ohio is home to some of the largest companies in the United States as well as sizeable distribution centers. Qualified truckers are needed in Ohio, which is why it’s a great time to complete your Class A CDL license and become a truck driver in Ohio.

It’s quite easy to get your Class A CDL license within a month with the help of a truck driving school, and the cost is not as high as you may think. There are three main types of trucking schools that you can choose from, which all have their pros and cons.

• Community Colleges & Technical Schools
• Privately Owned Companies
• Trucking Schools

Below is a list of truck driving schools across the state of Ohio. Find a school near your location by searching for your city in the search box. Or, use the provided map to locate a CDL school near you.

You’ll want to compare each of the schooling options to determine which is best for you. We’ll cover each of these school options in detail.

Community Colleges & Technical Schools

Enrolling in one of these schools typically is a great choice for many individuals as the enrollment costs are relatively low. You can often find scholarships and grants that can be applied to these programs to help make the cost even lower. Some programs offer great facilities and have great instructors while others fall short of expectations. Be sure to read reviews and get opinions for former students if you’re interested in attending a particular community college or technical school.

The number of classes offered are more limited than the other options and classes can be booked up months in advance. The amount of time it takes to complete the program is typically longer than any of the other options: 4-6 months is the typical amount of time that it takes to complete the program. Most programs provide Class A CDL certification, but not all. Double check that you’re enrolling in a Class A program if you plan to drive outside of the state of Ohio in a semi-truck one day.

If you’re looking to save some money and you’re not in a rush to receive your CDL license, then this may be a great option for you.

Privately Owned Companies

Many trucking companies will sponsor training for their employees and provide everything that you need to get your Class A license. The amount of time it takes to complete trucking school can vary quite wildly, as each trucking company has a training different structure.

While trucking companies may advertise free training, the reality is that you pay for the training yourself by working for the company for a minimum period of time. Once you become certified and start working for the company, a percentage or lump sum of your wages go towards the training that you received. You are also tied to one company for a set period of time, and you may still owe the company money if you terminate employment early.

If you’re dead set on working for one particular company and trust their training program, or you’re concerned about being able to pay for the costs of a trucking school, then this may be the best fit for you. Before you make any commitments, be sure that you read through all documents and fully understand what you’re signing up for.

Trucking Schools

Truck driving schools also offer the highest level of training as the schools and instructors highly specialize in truck driving education. With more time operating the tractor-trailers in the yard and more one-on-one time with instructors, you learn at a faster rate and can get your CDL license faster than the other options. Enrollment schedules are generally more favorable, as you can find a truck driving school with weeknight classes or classes only on weekends. Trucking schools will also help with job placement, which is extremely important for finding the highest paying job that fits well with your ideal work schedule.

The downside is that trucking schools are generally the most expensive option, starting at around $3,000 – $8,000 for a Class A CDL program. This range is often based on factors like provided training time and additional endorsements to your license. You can apply grants and scholarships for many of these schools, but it’s a good idea to double check to make sure that it can be applied towards a truck driving school.

Financial Aid Options

For those in financial help for paying for trucking school, there are plenty of options.

Scholarships, grants and loans.

Many truckers use FAFSA to apply for federal student aid. Use the FAFSA application page to get started on that process. This loan can be used towards most technical and community colleges as well as truck driving schools. Some truckers have also received money in the past through Pell Grants although there are specific requirements in order to be eligible. The maximum award for 2020-2021 academic year is $6,345. You should also check with the Ohio Department of Higher Education as they often list grants and scholarships, some of which can be used towards a CDL school.

Be sure to ask your truck driving school if they are aware of any additional scholarships or grants that their students have applied to their program in teh past. Many schools offer financial aid to veterans, so be sure to inquire if you have served our country in the military.