So, you want to shift careers into truck driving? 

Well, why not?

You get to travel, the pay is good, and it’s not a boring, stuffy office job in any way. 

However, before you can jump into your new career, you’ll need to get your commercial driver’s license. And this means having to complete CDL training.

Now, there are different ways to get this. You can go with a private trucking school – which typically offers a better experience – or complete a company-sponsored program, which automatically guarantees a job.

We’ve got good news for aspiring truck drivers from Baltimore. We’ve done the research for you and came up with a list of potential truck driving schools you can explore.

Here are the best trucking schools in Baltimore, Maryland.

Best Trucking Schools in Baltimore

One option aspiring truck drivers have is to attend a private truck driving school. Although it requires you to pay your own tuition, you won’t be tied to a particular trucking company once you graduate.

It gives you more freedom to choose your future employer. Most students worry about the tuition — after all, trucking school doesn’t come cheap. But we’ve found some schools that offer financial aid to help you out.

Here are some of the best truck driving schools in Baltimore.

CFI CDL Truck Driving School

(1) 3426 S Hanover St. Unit A, Baltimore, MD

CFI is a small, family-owned truck driving school that has been in the business of helping aspiring truck drivers in Baltimore get the CDL education they need for over 40 years. They’ve picked up some techniques in that time, increasing their classes’ effectiveness.

That’s why they avoid putting you in group classes. With CFI, you’ll experience individualized training, avoiding the stress and pressure born out of needing to “perform well” in front of others. 

Part of their process is working with you to determine a schedule wherein you are the only student at any given time. It ensures that your instructor can provide as much assistance and support as necessary.

CFI assures its students that it’s short and practical, although they don’t disclose the duration of the CDL program. 

You can expect your instructors to have truck driving experience. So don’t just learn the concepts — you also get tips and techniques based on their experience.

CFI can address your concern if you can’t afford to take weeks off to complete CDL training. Their classes aren’t limited to a typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. They’ll see how they can help you fix a class timetable that doesn’t disrupt other existing commitments.

Truck driving school isn’t the most affordable, and CFI acknowledges that. You can explore options to help ease your financial obligations with them. You can pay in cash, card (credit or debit), or even certified funds.

It also has mostly positive reviews from former students. You can check out Trust Reviewers and Facebook to see what they have to say.

Here are some things that set CFI Truck Driving School apart from its competitors.

• Offers one-on-one training with students
• Conducts classes on evenings and weekends
• Has in-house financing that doesn’t require qualifications
• You can pay your tuition on the go as long as you pay a small down payment
• Offers discounts if you decide to pay in full
• New classes begin every day

You can reach CFI Truck Driving School through the phone or email If you’re interested in exploring their program. Their contact details are as follows:

• Phone: (301) 741 2223
• Email: enrollments@cfitruckdrivingschool.com

North American Trade Schools

(1) 6901 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD

North American Trade School was previously known as Diesel Institute of America and began operating in Maryland in 1983. However, they only started offering commercial truck driving training three years later. That’s 39 years of experience in trucking education.

NATS can be a good fit if you’re looking for a well-established institution. They received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

They’re also part of the Maryland Association of Private Career schools, American Trucking Association, and Better Business Bureau, so you know you’re in good hands.

Unlike other truck driving schools, they offer more than CDL training. NATS also has courses in other areas, such as combination welding, diesel technology (which you can combine with a CDL program), and industrial maintenance.

They designed their CDL program to be completed in ten weeks. It costs $5,000 if you finish within that timeframe. You’ll begin with the classroom portion, which helps you earn your CDL permit.

Afterward, you move to the hands-on portion of the program. You’ll practice driving in a range first before attempting to do so on the road.

Although you can’t fully customize your class schedule to fit your needs, North America Trade School still offers flexibility. You have the option to take your CDL classes in any of these schedules:

• 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mondays to Thursday
• 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Mondays to Thursday
• 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays

North American Trade Schools stand out from other providers in several ways. These include:

• Simulates the driving portion of the CDL test
• Has three different class schedules
• Has other programs that you can take with CDL training
• Has a free Career Training Readiness quiz available on their website
• May provide financial aid for qualified students

If you feel NATS is the school for you, reach out to them by calling (410) 298 4844 or filling out a form on their website.

H3: 160 Driving Academy of Baltimore

(1) 7500 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD

With 113 locations spread across different regions, 160 Academy is one of the largest truck driving schools in the country. Get to know more about them through this introductory video:

https://youtu.be/vNFj7EpekAo

With 113 locations spread across different regions, 160 Academy is one of the largest truck driving schools in the country. Get to know more about them through this introductory video:

Taking truck driving school through 160 Driving Academy allows you to complete CLD training in 160 hours over four weeks. You’ll begin with classroom instruction, which takes up a fourth of your four-week course. It’s where you’ll learn everything you need for the CDL exam’s written portion. 

Next, you’ll begin hands-on training. It comprises two parts — driving within their course and, eventually, on nearby roads and highways. You’ll have many observation hours that can help you fine-tune your driving techniques.

Although it doesn’t offer 1:1 training, 160 Driving Academy strives to keep its student-teacher ratio low. Each instructor only handles four students, so you get the attention and assistance you need and a bit of interaction from fellow aspiring truck drivers.

160 Driving Academy doesn’t claim to be the best, but it’s what its students say:

https://vimeo.com/113651162

See what makes 160 Driving Academy different from other trucking schools:

• Maintains over 100 locations in the country, making accessible
• Keeps the class size to four people per instructor
• Provides varying opportunities from long-distance trucking to local deliveries
• Offers job placement assistance by matching students with trucking companies
• Works with trucking companies who may cover qualified students’ tuition if they accept a job offer

You can reach them at (410) 343 4822 to further explore their services.

Additional Trucking Schools in Baltimore

There are other trucking schools to consider if you’re looking for alternatives. We’ve included their contact details so you can reach out to them and see what they have to offer.

All-State Career School

• Address: 2200 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD
• Phone: (410) 631 1818

Community College of Baltimore County

• Address: 7200 Sollers Point Road OR 2007 Reservoir Road, Baltimore, MD (CCBC Transportation Training Center (East Side)
• Phone: (443) 840 2222

NCIA Herbert J. Hoelter Vocational Training Center

• Address: 301 S Central Avenue, Baltimore, MD

Free Company Sponsored Truck Driving Schools

Some students can’t put in the required payment for trucking school, even with the financial aid options some schools offer. The good news is you have other options.

That’s where company-sponsored trucking driving schools come in. Some companies can sponsor your CDL education in exchange for working for them as soon as you graduate.

Unfortunately, these trucking companies aren’t in Baltimore. However, they’re willing to shoulder your expenses so you can complete CDL training. 

So If you’re willing to travel to their site, you can hit multiple birds with one stone. Besides not shelling out the tuition fee, you’re also guaranteed a job and may even get paid while studying.

Here are some free trucking schools you can consider:

Roehl Transport Incorporated: You can go through the Get Your CDL Program in one of Roehl’s four terminals. Their CDL program comes in three phases.

First, you’ll train using the actual trucks and trailers you’ll be using. Roehl’s class size ratio is 1:3, so your instructor can provide all the assistance and information you need.

Second, you begin working with live freight with the help of a Certified Driver Trainer. It simulates an actual trip, including sleeping in the truck at truck stops.

Lastly, Roehl assigns you your own truck, and you’ll start working with a fleet manager. Remember, you get paid at each phase of your training.

Prime Inc.: If you’re willing to travel to Missouri, Pennsylvania, or Utah, Prime can be a good option for company-sponsored CDL training. You’ll work with an instructor as you learn to drive a semi. With Prime, you can expect one-on-one instruction.

You’ll get the opportunity to experience hauling freight, which means you get real-life experience. And they’ll prepare you for it through their hands-on, computer-based simulator training.

Roehl gives a $250 bonus to students who pass their CDL exam on the first try. But after you do, you’ll continue to train for 30,000 miles to ensure your readiness for solo jobs.

Stevens Transport: Getting your CDL training with Stevens Transport means traveling to Dallas. However, they offer scholarships that cover your expenses. These include transportation to the academy, lodging, the cost of training, and meals.

There’s no need to look further when you need to take your CDL exam. Since April 2017, Stevens Transport received authorization for the skills test on behalf of the DPS. 

In Conclusion

Choosing between a private truck driving school and a company-sponsored one usually boils down to your available resources. Hopefully, you have enough information about the various schools and their offerings to help you decide.

Regardless of your choice, it’ll get you closer to your ultimate goal: becoming a truck driver.