Education
Most companies require truck drivers to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Individual apprenticeship sponsors establish their own education and eligibility requirements.
National Apprenticeship Pathway
Truck Driver Apprenticeship Guide
Apprenticeship Snapshot
- Apprenticeship Length
- Varies by program
- On-the-Job Training
- Paid supervised commercial driving and fleet training; duration varies by apprenticeship program
- Paid Training
- Yes
- Technical Instruction
- Instruction in CDL knowledge, federal regulations, vehicle inspection, safe driving, cargo securement, trip planning, hours of service, and related commercial-driving skills
Apprenticeship Guide Navigation
What Is a Truck Driver Apprenticeship?
A truck driver apprenticeship combines paid workplace training with structured instruction to prepare workers to operate heavy trucks and tractor-trailers safely and legally. Depending on the program, apprentices may learn vehicle inspection, backing and maneuvering, highway driving, cargo securement, trip planning, hours-of-service requirements, safety procedures, electronic logging, and other commercial-driving skills.
Truck Driver apprenticeships commonly align with Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032). O*NET identifies several approved Registered Apprenticeship titles for this occupation, including Heavy and Tractor Trailer Truck Driver, Truck Driver, Heavy, Professional Tank Truck Driver, Construction Driver, and Driver Service Provider.
Commercial truck driving also has federal licensing and training requirements. Drivers operating vehicles that require a Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license must meet applicable CDL requirements, and many first-time CDL applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training through an FMCSA-registered training provider before they may take the required CDL skills test.
Truck Driver Apprenticeship Entry Requirements
Commercial Learner's Permit and CDL Pathway
Truck driver apprentices should be prepared to meet federal and state requirements for a Commercial Learner's Permit and Commercial Driver's License. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers must hold the appropriate CDL for the vehicles they operate.
Entry-Level Driver Training
First-time applicants for a Class A or Class B CDL, certain CDL upgrades, and first-time applicants for school bus, passenger, or hazardous materials endorsements generally must complete applicable Entry-Level Driver Training with a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before taking the required CDL skills or knowledge test, unless an exception applies.
Safety and Vehicle Inspection Readiness
Applicants should be prepared to learn pre-trip and post-trip inspections, vehicle safety checks, cargo securement, emergency procedures, safe backing and maneuvering, and compliance with commercial-driving regulations.
Sponsor-Specific Requirements
Minimum age, driving-record standards, medical qualification, drug and alcohol testing, background checks, prior driving experience, and endorsement requirements may vary by employer, sponsor, vehicle type, and route. Applicants should review the current requirements of each program before applying.
How Much Do Truck Driver Apprentices Earn?
Truck driver apprentices are paid employees while completing the workplace-training portion of a Registered Apprenticeship. Starting wages and wage progression depend on the sponsor, employer, route type, freight operation, location, and program structure.
There is no single national apprentice wage for truck drivers. Compensation systems in trucking may also differ from many other trades because drivers may be paid by the mile, by the hour, by salary, or through other employer-specific arrangements.
For occupational context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median annual wage of $58,640, or $28.19 per hour, for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers. This is an occupational median and should not be treated as an apprentice wage or used to calculate a universal apprenticeship pay schedule.
How to Apply for a Truck Driver Apprenticeship
Search for Truck Driver Apprenticeships
Use Apprenticeship.gov and employer, workforce, trucking-school, community-college, and state apprenticeship resources to identify Registered Apprenticeship opportunities related to heavy and tractor-trailer truck driving.
Review CDL and ELDT Requirements
Determine which CDL class and endorsements are required and whether you must complete Entry-Level Driver Training through an FMCSA-registered training provider before taking the applicable CDL test.
Review Program Requirements
Compare each apprenticeship's eligibility rules, route type, equipment, freight, work schedule, wage structure, training provider, driving requirements, endorsements, and completion standards.
Complete the Application and Selection Process
Submit the sponsor's application and required documentation. Depending on the employer or program, applicants may also complete driving-record reviews, medical qualification, drug and alcohol testing, interviews, or other selection steps.
Begin Paid Commercial Driving Training
Once selected and eligible to begin training, complete supervised driving, vehicle inspection, safety instruction, route and cargo procedures, and the related training required by the apprenticeship program.
Who Sponsors Truck Driver Apprenticeships?
Truck Transportation Employers
For-hire truck transportation companies may sponsor or participate in apprenticeship programs that train drivers in commercial vehicle operation, safety, freight movement, and company-specific driving procedures.
Private Fleets
Manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, construction companies, and other organizations with private truck fleets may provide structured driver training or participate in apprenticeship programs for commercial drivers.
Specialized Freight Employers
Employers that transport tank freight, hazardous materials, construction materials, oversized loads, or other specialized cargo may participate in apprenticeship pathways that include vehicle-specific, cargo-specific, or endorsement-related training.
Employer and Training Provider Partnerships
Employers may partner with truck-driving schools, community colleges, workforce organizations, or FMCSA-registered training providers to deliver the classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction required for entry-level commercial drivers.
Do You Need Trade School Before a Truck Driver Apprenticeship?
Truck-driving school is a common pathway into heavy and tractor-trailer truck driving, but it is not the same as a Registered Apprenticeship. BLS reports that many prospective drivers attend professional truck-driving schools or community-college programs that typically last between 3 and 6 months.
For drivers subject to the federal Entry-Level Driver Training regulations, required training must be completed through a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. A truck-driving school may be such a provider if it meets FMCSA requirements and is registered.
A Registered Apprenticeship combines paid employment with structured training, whereas a standalone driving-school program primarily provides instruction toward licensing and entry into the occupation. Applicants should compare the cost, paid-employment status, employer commitment, CDL preparation, and post-training employment pathway before choosing between programs.
How Apprenticeship Relates to Truck Driver Licensing
A Commercial Driver’s License is a core legal requirement for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Completing an apprenticeship does not replace the CDL licensing process.
Federal Entry-Level Driver Training rules apply to many drivers seeking a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrading from Class B to Class A, or obtaining certain endorsements for the first time. Required training must be completed through a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before the applicable CDL skills or knowledge test, unless an exception applies.
CDLs are issued by states, so applicants must meet both federal standards and the licensing procedures of the state issuing the license. Additional endorsements or restrictions may apply depending on the vehicle, passengers, cargo, or work performed.
Certifications for Truck Driver Apprentices
Truck driving relies primarily on CDL licensing and applicable endorsements rather than one universal voluntary professional certification. Apprenticeship completion, CDL licensing, endorsements, and employer qualifications should be treated as separate parts of a driver’s career pathway.
Depending on the work, a driver may need or pursue endorsements for hazardous materials, passengers, school buses, tank vehicles, double or triple trailers, or other vehicle and cargo types. Some endorsement pathways are subject to additional federal training, testing, or background requirements.
Drivers should verify which endorsements and qualifications apply to the specific truck, freight, route, and employer rather than assuming that apprenticeship completion authorizes every type of commercial driving.
How to Find a Truck Driver Apprenticeship
Start with Apprenticeship.gov when looking for Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in commercial truck driving. Programs may use occupational titles other than the exact phrase “Truck Driver Apprenticeship.”
O*NET identifies approved apprenticeship titles associated with Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers including Heavy and Tractor Trailer Truck Driver, Truck Driver, Heavy, Professional Tank Truck Driver, Construction Driver, Commercial Transport Driver, Propane, and Driver Service Provider.
Also check trucking companies, private fleets, workforce agencies, community colleges, truck-driving schools, state apprenticeship agencies, and FMCSA-registered training providers. Compare the program’s CDL pathway, paid training, route type, equipment, freight, endorsements, wage structure, work schedule, and employment commitment before applying.
Truck Driver Career & Apprenticeship Guides by State
Explore state-specific truck driver salary data, training pathways, apprenticeship information, and licensing requirements.
AlabamaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Alabama Guide AlaskaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Alaska Guide ArizonaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Arizona Guide ArkansasState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Arkansas Guide CaliforniaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView California Guide ColoradoState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Colorado Guide ConnecticutState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Connecticut Guide DelawareState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Delaware Guide FloridaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Florida Guide GeorgiaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Georgia Guide HawaiiState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Hawaii Guide IdahoState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Idaho Guide IllinoisState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Illinois Guide IndianaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Indiana Guide IowaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Iowa Guide KansasState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Kansas Guide KentuckyState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Kentucky Guide LouisianaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Louisiana Guide MaineState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Maine Guide MarylandState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Maryland Guide MassachusettsState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Massachusetts Guide MichiganState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Michigan Guide MinnesotaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Minnesota Guide MississippiState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Mississippi Guide MissouriState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Missouri Guide MontanaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Montana Guide NebraskaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Nebraska Guide NevadaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Nevada Guide New HampshireState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView New Hampshire Guide New JerseyState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView New Jersey Guide New MexicoState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView New Mexico Guide New YorkState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView New York Guide North CarolinaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView North Carolina Guide North DakotaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView North Dakota Guide OhioState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Ohio Guide OklahomaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Oklahoma Guide OregonState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Oregon Guide PennsylvaniaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Pennsylvania Guide Rhode IslandState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Rhode Island Guide South CarolinaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView South Carolina Guide South DakotaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView South Dakota Guide TennesseeState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Tennessee Guide TexasState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Texas Guide UtahState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Utah Guide VermontState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Vermont Guide VirginiaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Virginia Guide WashingtonState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Washington Guide West VirginiaState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView West Virginia Guide WisconsinState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Wisconsin Guide WyomingState salary, training, apprenticeship & licensing informationView Wyoming Guide
Truck Driver Apprenticeship FAQ
Are truck driver apprenticeships paid?
Yes. Registered Apprenticeship is an employment-based training model, so apprentices earn wages while completing structured workplace training. Starting pay and wage progression vary by employer and program.
How long does a truck driver apprenticeship take?
Program length varies. BLS reports that professional truck-driving school programs commonly last about 3 to 6 months, but that is not a universal Registered Apprenticeship duration. Apprenticeship length, work processes, and completion requirements are established by the individual sponsor.
Do I need a CDL to become a truck driver apprentice?
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers must hold the appropriate Commercial Driver's License to operate covered commercial vehicles. An apprenticeship may help a worker progress toward commercial driving, but it does not replace federal and state CDL requirements.
What is Entry-Level Driver Training?
Entry-Level Driver Training, or ELDT, is the federal training standard that applies to many first-time Class A or Class B CDL applicants, Class B drivers upgrading to Class A, and first-time applicants for school bus, passenger, or hazardous materials endorsements. Drivers subject to ELDT must complete the required training with an FMCSA-registered provider before the applicable CDL test.
Do I need truck-driving school before an apprenticeship?
Not necessarily. Some apprenticeship programs may integrate CDL preparation and required training, while others may expect applicants to complete certain licensing steps before employment. BLS reports that many prospective drivers attend professional truck-driving school, so applicants should compare the specific apprenticeship's CDL and training requirements before enrolling elsewhere.
Where can I find registered truck driver apprenticeships?
Search Apprenticeship.gov and also check trucking companies, private fleets, workforce agencies, community colleges, state apprenticeship offices, and truck-driving training providers. Search related titles such as Heavy and Tractor Trailer Truck Driver, Truck Driver, Heavy, Professional Tank Truck Driver, and Construction Driver.
Sources
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Data: May 2025 wages; 2025–2035 projections) Supports: Occupation definition, education requirements, truck-driving school pathway, 3–6 month professional training programs, CDL requirement, work environment, compensation practices, occupational wages, major employing industries, and employment outlook.. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — 53-3032.00 — O*NET OnLine (Data: Updated 2026) Supports: SOC occupation mapping, Truck Driver and CDL Driver job titles, commercial-driving tasks, vehicle inspection and cargo-securement responsibilities, training characteristics, and approved Registered Apprenticeship occupation titles.. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Data: Current) Supports: Federal Entry-Level Driver Training requirements, affected Class A and Class B CDL applicants, CDL upgrades, first-time H/P/S endorsements, Training Provider Registry requirements, and federal training applicability.. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Training Provider Registry — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Data: Current) Supports: Official registry of training providers authorized to provide applicable Entry-Level Driver Training and the process CDL applicants use to locate eligible training providers.. Accessed September 30, 2026.