Getting Your CDL
What the training actually requires, how to pay for it, and the news that affects anyone starting out.
18 stories
What ELDT actually requires
Entry-level driver training under 49 CFR Part 380, and why it only counts from a registered provider.
Free CDL training through WIOA
Who qualifies, what documents to bring, and what happens at the Job Center.
Carriers that pay you to train
Company-sponsored training with no tuition up front, if a grant does not come through.
CDL schools in your state
Every school checked against the FMCSA training provider registry.
- Transport TopicsTraining
Schneider expands driver training ranks by 26%
Schneider is increasing its driver instructor workforce by 26% to expand onboarding and behind-the-wheel training for new and experienced drivers.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - CDL LifeLicensing
Truck driver banned from all facilities after bonking into protestors outside of warehouse truck entrance
A truck driver has been banned from all Bradford White facilities after bonking into protestors picketing the truck entrance of the warehouse in Michigan on Wednesday. The incident happened on...
A driver attempting to enter a warehouse truck entrance where protestors are picketing can be banned from all of that company's facilities.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeSafety
Oversized load ordered out-of-service in Arizona for inaccurate permit, unsafe equipment, unqualified escort driver
Arizona troopers ordered a commercial truck hauling a mobile home off the road after uncovering “multiple serious safety violations.” On September 24, 2026, Arizona Department of Public Safety...
Hauling an oversized load in Arizona can get you placed out of service for an inaccurate permit, unsafe equipment, or an unqualified escort driver.
Read the full story at CDL Life - Federal RegisterRegulations
Notice: Hours of Service of Drivers; Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Exemption Renewal for Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC
FMCSA announces its decision to provisionally renew and consolidate two exemptions previously granted to Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC (Cliffs), formerly ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor, LLC, from certain hours-of-service (HOS) and parts and accessories requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The provisional renewal allows Cliffs' employee-drivers with commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) who transport steel coils or scrap metal between the company's production and shipping locations to work up to 16 consecutive hours in a duty period and return to work following at lea
Cleveland-Cliffs employee drivers hauling steel coils or scrap metal could work up to 16 consecutive hours and use specialized coil carriers under a provisionally renewed exemption now open for public comment.
Read the full story at Federal Register - Federal RegisterRegulations
Notice: Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption; Agri-Tech Aviation
FMCSA announces its decision to deny the application from Agri-Tech Aviation requesting an exemption to allow its commercial learner's permit (CLP) holders who have passed the commercial driver's license (CDL) skills test but not yet obtained a CDL license to drive its commercial motor vehicles (CMV) without being accompanied by a CDL holder in the passenger seat. FMCSA analyzed the application and public comments and determined there is insufficient basis to conclude the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved a
Read the full story at Federal Register - CDL LifeRegulations
KY Governor signs emergency regulation to fast track CDLs for veterans & active duty military
The Kentucky Governor has signed an emergency regulation allowing veterans and active duty military to obtain a CDL more efficiently. The emergency regulation was signed on Tuesday, September 29th by...
Veterans and active duty military who drove large CMV adjacent vehicles can now get a CDL faster under a Kentucky emergency regulation that waives the written test.
Read the full story at CDL Life - Transport TopicsLicensing
CBP pilot to test electronic truck export manifests
The Electronic Export Manifest truck cargo test will evaluate whether carriers can be required to submit electronic manifest information before cargo is loaded.
A pilot test will check whether carriers can be required to send electronic export manifest information before cargo is loaded.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - CDL LifeLicensing
CHP nabs commercial vehicle driver for 21 MPH over in the wrong lane on I-5
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) made an example out of a commercial vehicle driver caught exceeding the speed limit while in the wrong lane for trucks. On September 25, 2026, CHP took to social...
Read the full story at CDL Life - Transport TopicsRegulations
FMCSA aims to close OOS loophole for drug violations
FMCSA on Sept. 17 granted a petition from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance seeking changes to 49 CFR 392.4, which governs drugs and other substances.
A petition granted by FMCSA seeks changes to the rule governing drugs and other substances, which could affect how drug violations lead to a driver being put out of service.
Read the full story at Transport Topics - CDL LifeSafety
Immigrant driver found with no CDL for second time this month after illegal turn caused injury crash: ICE
An illegal immigrant truck driver was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week after his illegal turn caused an injury crash involving a child. Guatemalan national Maximo...
A driver without a CDL was arrested after an illegal turn caused an injury crash involving a child.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeTraining
Truckers without certification restricted from Teton Pass starting October 1
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) announced the launch date for a new mandatory program that will restrict uncertified drivers of large vehicles from using Teton Pass. October Deadline...
Uncertified drivers of large vehicles will be restricted from using Teton Pass once the WY22 SAFE PASS program launches on October 1, 2026.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeCarriers
Immigrant military interpreter awarded big rig + $50k to start own trucking company
A US military interpreter who immigrated to the US has been awarded his own semi truck and $50,000 to start up his own trucking company. Fahad Al-Kadhim grew up in Iraq, where he was captured,...
A former military interpreter who survived captivity now gets a semi truck and startup money to run his own trucking company.
Read the full story at CDL Life - Federal RegisterRegulations
Notice: Hazardous Materials: Notice of Actions on Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has granted or denied the application described herein.
The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has granted or denied an application for a special permit from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations.
Read the full story at Federal Register - Federal RegisterRegulations
Notice: Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for Modification to Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.
The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received an application to modify special permits under the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations.
Read the full story at Federal Register - Federal RegisterRegulations
Notice: Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special Permits
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.
Hazardous materials haulers should know the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received a new special permit application under the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations.
Read the full story at Federal Register - CDL LifeIndustry
DHS dared illegal immigrant drivers to “find out” with targeted threat, list of biggest offenders
The Department of Homeland Security has backtracked after posting a targeted threat on X daring illegal immigrant truck drivers to “find out.” The post mimicking a Transformers movie poster was...
DHS took down a post that threatened illegal immigrant truck drivers, drawing both criticism and support.
Read the full story at CDL Life - CDL LifeTraining
Six plead guilty in bribery scheme that allowed over 100 unqualified applicants to obtain a CDL
Three more people have pleaded guilty in a bribery scheme that allowed more than 100 people to fraudulently obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Six Plead Guilty To Bribery Charges In...
More than 100 people fraudulently obtained a CDL in a bribery scheme, and six have now pleaded guilty.
Read the full story at CDL Life - Transport TopicsLicensing
DHS launches 24/7 CDL fraud tip line
DHS launched a 24-hour tip line to report suspected commercial driver license fraud, the latest step in a federal crackdown on illicit activity in trucking.
Suspected CDL fraud can now be reported around the clock through a federal tip line.
Read the full story at Transport Topics
What to do next
CDL schools by state
Every school we list is checked against the FMCSA training provider registry.
DOT physical locations
You need a medical certificate before you can hold a CDL permit.
Compliance and endorsement training
Hazmat, hours of service and the supervisor courses carriers ask for.
Carriers hiring now
Who is hiring in your state, including carriers that take drivers with a few months in.
📧 Weekly CDL News Digest
Get the latest CDL regulations and industry updates delivered to your inbox every week.
- FMCSA regulatory updates
- Training requirement changes
- Industry hiring trends
Each story links to the publication that reported it. For anything that affects your licence or your medical card, check the official FMCSA source before you act on it.