CDL Schools USA is an independent directory that lists and verifies FMCSA-registered commercial driver's license (CDL) training providers across the United States. This page contains 42 verified training programs serving the Santa Cruz, California area.

FMCSA VERIFIED 2025

CDL Schools in Santa Cruz, CA

Are you looking for commercial driver training in Santa Cruz?We have identified 42 FMCSA-verified programs serving the Santa Cruz area (Pop: 65,011).

Quick Stats

42 Training Programs
ELDT Compliant
3-8 Week Programs
Pop: 65,011

Quick Facts: CDL Training in Santa Cruz, CA

CDL License Types
Class A, Class B, Class C
Average Training Cost
$3,000, $8,000
Program Length
3-8 weeks
Weekend / Evening Options
Available at select schools
FMCSA Registration Required
Yes
Verified Schools
42

Local CDL training answer

How should students compare CDL schools in Santa Cruz, CA?

Students comparing CDL schools in Santa Cruz, CA should first confirm that the provider is listed in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry for the CDL class or endorsement they need. Then compare tuition, behind-the-wheel hours, public enrollment status, manual or automatic transmission training, weekend or evening schedules, and whether the program supports WIOA, veteran benefits, job placement, or employer-sponsored training. This page lists 42 training programsserving the Santa Cruz area and is intended to help students request information without exposing private school contact data publicly.

42 CDL Schools Near Santa Cruz

Top Picks in Santa Cruz

Editor's Choice
#1 Editor's ChoiceVerified

PJ Trucking Academy

Watsonville, CA

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#2 Editor's ChoiceVerified

Eclipse DOT

Santa Cruz, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

class_a_theoryclass_a_behind_the_wheel_rangeclass_a_behind_the_wheel_public_road
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#3 Editor's ChoiceVerified

International truck driving school

Newark, CA

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PJ Trucking Academy

Watsonville, CA
11.6 miles away
FMCSA ELDT Verified
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

Eclipse DOT

Santa Cruz, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
23.8 miles away
FMCSA ELDT Verifiedclass_a_theoryclass_a_behind_the_wheel_rangeclass_a_behind_the_wheel_public_roadclass_b_theory
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

San Carlos School

San Carlos, CA
39.5 miles away
FMCSA ELDT Verified
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

Fast-Pass Trucking Training

Carmel Valley, CA
44.9 miles away
FMCSA ELDT Verified
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

American Driving Academy and Traffic School

Santa Cruz, CA
In Santa Cruz
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

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Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Watsonville, CA
14.6 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

MTS Training Academy, Inc. - Watsonville

Watsonville, CA
14.9 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Watsonville, CA
15.4 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

San Jose Unified School District

San Jose, CA
23.9 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

A&B Truck & Bus Driving School

San Jose, CA
24.3 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

NMCUSD

Salinas, CA
24.3 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

Coast To Coast Trucking School

San Jose, CA
25.1 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

Gilroy Unified School District

Gilroy, CA
26.1 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

Santa Rita Union School District

Salinas, CA
27.5 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

San Jose Truck Driving School

San Jose, CA
28 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

DOABA TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL INC

Santa Clara, CA
28.3 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

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Coastal Trucking Institute, LLC

Salinas, CA
28.3 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

Salinas City School District

Salinas, CA
28.4 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

DoubleR investments L.L.C.

Salinas, CA
28.5 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Protected from bots

Salinas Union High School District

Salinas, CA
28.7 miles away
+1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

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Showing 20 of 36 schools

CDL Training in Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California has 42 FMCSA-verified CDL training programs serving students in 2026. California handles over 40% of all US containerized imports through the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. Average CDL driver salary in California is about $62,400 per year, with experienced drivers reaching $95,000. The ports, agriculture & tech logistics sector creates critical demand for qualified CDL holders near Santa Cruz, and major freight corridors such as I-5/I-10/I-15 freight corridors connect graduates to local, regional, and long-haul work. Every school listed on this page is tied to FMCSA Training Provider Registry review, which matters because ELDT completion must come from a registered provider before a first-time CDL applicant can take the skills test.

Why Get CDL Training Near Santa Cruz?

  • Local Training: Train close to home with familiar roads and traffic patterns
  • Job Placement: Many local trucking companies hire graduates directly
  • Financial Aid: Schools in California often qualify for WIOA grants and veteran benefits
  • ELDT Compliance: All listed schools meet federal ELDT requirements effective February 2022

CDL Training Costs in California

CDL training in California typically ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 for private schools, with community colleges offering programs from $2,000 to $5,000. Many trucking companies also offer paid CDL training programs with a 1-2 year employment commitment.

View all CDL schools in California

Trucking Jobs Near Santa Cruz

Get hired after you complete your CDL training

$45,000 - $75,000
Average annual salary for CDL drivers in California
2,500+
Open trucking positions in California

Top employers hiring near Santa Cruz: Amazon, Walmart, UPS, FedEx, Werner Enterprises, Schneider National, Swift Transportation, and regional carriers.

Job types available: Local delivery, regional routes, OTR (Over-the-Road), dedicated routes, tanker, flatbed, and refrigerated transport.

Browse CDL JobsGet Paid to Train

Compare CDL Schools in Santa Cruz

Side-by-side comparison of top training programs

⚙️ Transmission:
Showing 15 schools
School Name
City
Program TypesKey FeaturesContact
A&B Truck & Bus Driving School
FMCSA Verified
San Jose
Class AClass B
Manual Trans.Weekend ClassesEvening Classes
Alameda - Contra Costa Transit District
FMCSA Verified
Hayward
Class A
Manual Trans.Weekend ClassesVA Approved
Alisal Union School District
FMCSA Verified
Salinas
Class AHazmat
Manual Trans.VA Approved
Santa Cruz
Class A
Manual Trans.Weekend ClassesEvening ClassesVA Approved
View Details
American truck and bus driving school
FMCSA Verified
Hayward
Class AClass BHazmat
Manual Trans.Evening ClassesVA Approved
Atkar Truck Driving School
FMCSA Verified
Hayward
Class ATanker
Manual Trans.Weekend ClassesEvening Classes
BESTWAY TRUCK AND BUS DRIVING SCHOOL
FMCSA Verified
Hayward
Class AClass BHazmatTanker
Weekend ClassesEvening ClassesVA Approved
CALIFORNIA TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL
FMCSA Verified
HAYWARD
Class AClass BHazmat
Weekend ClassesEvening ClassesVA Approved
Cdl instructor trucking LLC
FMCSA Verified
Hayward
Class A
Weekend ClassesEvening Classes
CDL Truck Rental & Sales Inc
FMCSA Verified
Hayward
Class AClass BHazmat
Manual Trans.Evening Classes
City of Hayward
FMCSA Verified
Hayward
Class AClass BHazmatTanker
Evening ClassesVA Approved
City Of San Jose
FMCSA Verified
San Jose
Class AClass BHazmat
Manual Trans.Weekend ClassesVA Approved
Coast To Coast Trucking School
FMCSA Verified
San Jose
Class A
Evening ClassesVA Approved
Coastal Trucking Institute, LLC
FMCSA Verified
Salinas
Class AClass BHazmatTanker
Manual Trans.Weekend ClassesVA Approved
Coastal Trucking Institute, LLC
FMCSA Verified
Salinas
Class AClass BHazmatTanker
Manual Trans.Weekend ClassesVA Approved

Tuition Costs in Santa Cruz

Avg. Private School
$7,500
Avg. Public School
$2,800
Price Range
$2,000 - $9,500

Community Colleges in CA are significantly cheaper due to state subsidies.

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DOT Physicals Near Santa Cruz

Required for your CDL medical card

Fast Response On Site Testing

1605 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz
(831) 477-2867
5

On-site Physical Certifications

1715 42nd Ave Ste b, Capitola
(831) 515-1700
5

Castroville Chiropractic Clinic

11282 Merritt St, Castroville
(831) 633-4067
4.8
View All 20 Clinics in Santa CruzAll Locations

💡 Pro Tip: Get your DOT physical before starting CDL training. The exam typically costs $55-$150 and is valid for up to 2 years.

CDL Testing & DMV in Santa Cruz

Schedule your CDL knowledge and skills tests through your local DMV office. Find testing locations, wait times, and required documents.

Find DMV Office

Required Online Compliance Training

Before driving for a fleet operating out of Santa Cruz, most employers require current DOT/FMCSA certifications. Complete training online, at your own pace.

DOT Reasonable SuspicionHazmat AwarenessHazmat RecurrentDefensive DrivingHIPAA for CouriersHeat Stress & Slip/TripDry Ice HandlingHOS / ELD ComplianceLithium Battery ShippingBloodborne PathogensCargo SecurementFSMA Sanitary TransportForklift Certification
View All Certification Courses

Frequently Asked Questions About CDL Training in Santa Cruz

How long does CDL training take in Santa Cruz?
CDL training programs in Santa Cruz, CA typically take 3-8 weeks for full-time students. Part-time programs may take 3-6 months. Company-sponsored programs often run 4-6 weeks with guaranteed job placement upon completion.
How much does CDL school cost in California?
CDL training costs in California range from $3,000-$10,000 for private schools, $1,500-$5,000 at community colleges, and FREE through company-sponsored programs (with employment commitment). Many schools accept WIOA grants, GI Bill benefits, and offer payment plans.
Can I get a CDL in Santa Cruz without quitting my job?
Yes, several CDL schools in the Santa Cruz area offer weekend and evening classes for working adults. These flexible schedules allow you to earn your CDL while keeping your current job. Weekend programs typically take 8-16 weeks to complete.
How do I know if a CDL school in Santa Cruz is legitimate?
All legitimate CDL schools must be registered in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov. You can verify any school there. Be wary of schools that promise a CDL in less than 2 weeks or cannot provide their TPR registration number. The FMCSA removed over 550 non-compliant providers in 2025-2026 alone.
Do I need ELDT training to get a CDL?
Yes, as of February 2022, all first-time CDL applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from an FMCSA-registered training provider before taking the CDL skills test. All schools listed on CDL Schools USA are ELDT-compliant. The ELDT requirement includes both theory instruction (30+ hours) and behind-the-wheel training.
Can I get financial aid for CDL school in California?
Yes, several funding options exist for CDL training in California: WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) grants, Pell Grants at eligible community colleges, VA benefits for veterans, and company-sponsored training programs. Contact individual schools to learn about their specific financial aid options.
Do I need a TWIC card to drive trucks in California?
A TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card isn't required for all CDL jobs in California, but it's essential for port trucking. If you want to haul containers from the Port of LA, Port of Long Beach, or Port of Oakland, where drivers earn $75,000-$95,000/year, you'll need TWIC clearance. The application takes 8-12 weeks and costs $125.50, so start the process during CDL training.
What makes California CDL training different?
California CDL training must address unique state requirements: CARB (California Air Resources Board) truck emission regulations, agricultural transport rules for Central Valley hauling, mountain grade driving on I-5 Grapevine and Donner Pass, and urban congestion management for LA/SF metro areas. California also requires the Supplemental Driving Test for certain endorsements. Look for schools that include these California-specific components.

This page lists FMCSA-verified CDL schools in California, including training programs in Santa Cruz and surrounding cities. All listed programs meet Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements.

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Related Resources

CDL Practice Tests by StatePaid CDL Training ProgramsFMCSA School Verification GuideTruck Driver Salary by StateVerify a CDL School