There are a lot of approved trucking schools all around California.

But are there any specifically located in the city of Oakland?

You’ll be happy to know that, yes, there are. 

And we’re going to review the best ones here. 

We made sure these schools provide quality education and the best experience before you kick start your career in truck driving.

What’s more, we’ll even review some FREE company-sponsored trucking schools. 

With this, you can look into the best trucking schools in Oakland, CA, and determine the best fit for YOU. 

So let’s get reviewing!

Best Trucking Schools in Oakland, CA (Private)

Here are the top 3 best trucking schools in Oakland, CA:

• Academy of Truck Driving
• School of Trucking
• JC Truck Driving School

Let’s take a closer look at these schools. 

Academy of Truck Driving

Address: 2585 Buna St, Bldg. 99, Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: (510) 663-9030

The Academy of Truck Driving has been in the business for 20 years already. 

This school is dedicated to providing training for:

• Class A commercial vehicles
• Class B commercial vehicles
• Buses

Here, you will get the best out of your training.

Your instructors will teach you not only how to drive safely, but to maintain a worthwhile and long-lasting career.

More than that, they provide full support for your future career by offering job placement assistance. 

Here are some of the things you can expect when you enroll in the Academy of Truck Driving:

• Training facilities are located at the Port of Oakland or Oakland ArmyBase, the hub of trucking activity in the state
• Theory classes are integrated with hands-on training
• Safe and well-maintained vehicles
• Class sizes are small 
• Flexible schedule for students who have other responsibilities
• State-certified, patient, and caring instructors with driving experience

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School of Trucking

Address: 8400 Edgewater Dr., Oakland, CA 94621

Phone: (510) 200-2607

School of Trucking is the perfect school if you’re still unsure.

The school makes sure students understand the trucking industry before they even get into it. 

This way, you will know if it’s the right career path for you or not. 

From preparing for CDL exams and understanding the various options available, the School of Trucking is a great partner.

They will guide you with the steps you need to take. 

Classes are available from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am to 1:30 pm on Saturdays. There are no classes on Sundays.

Here are the things to note when you enroll in School of Trucking:

• After completing your road training, you can now ride solo and be a full-blown professional
• Truck driving training won’t just be confined to a classroom. You can expect instructive training on the road and be fully prepared to drive safely
• They will help you with job assistance and provide various options when it comes to finding the right job, especially for inexperienced drivers looking to make connections

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JC Truck Driving School

Address: 500 Castro Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: (510) 338-2758

Calling all the Spanish speakers out there.

If you prefer to take truck training in Spanish, then JC Truck Driving School is a great choice. 

Here, you will be instructed by Juan. 

He can teach you how to operate a Class A or Class B commercial vehicle. 

Since this is a smaller trucking school with a close community, you can feel right at home here. 

And yes, in case you’re not sure, this school is approved by the FMCSA. 

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Free Company-Sponsored Truck Driving Schools 

Private trucking schools aren’t cheap. 

You’ll have to stash out a couple of hundred dollars to enroll. 

And sure, a lot of trucking schools offer tuition assistance programs — but not everyone can get in. 

If this is the case for you, then don’t fret. 

There are FREE company-sponsored truck driving schools out there. 

What’s the catch?

Well, you’ll have to work for the company that sponsors you for several years. And, you’ll have no say in what type of truck you’ll be driving. 

If that doesn’t bother you, then let’s look at some of the best company-sponsored trucking schools around the US. 

Swift Transporation

Swift offers low-cost CDL training (with no up-front costs) in as fast as four weeks. With their tuition-assistance program, you can earn your Class A CDL in no time. 

Education, hotel, and transportation are fully covered by Swift’s financial agreement.

On top of that, you’ll get paid while you drive with a mentor, as well as have your tuition reimbursed if you enroll in another CDL training program. 

After you get your CDL, you’ll have to work with Swift for at least 26 months. 

CRST 

CRST offers a company-sponsored program with no required credit checks. 

You can get a tuition reimbursement of up to $8,000. 

You can start working with CRST for a minimum of 10 months, starting with a low pay of $0.36 CPM while still driving with a mentor. Pay raises will be available in the following year.

During your training, you get tons of benefits and rewards. This includes free transportation to the training facility, paid vacations, breakfast and lunch provided on weekdays, a dorm with Wi-Fi, a 401k retirement plan, and career growth opportunities, as well as medical, dental, and life insurance. 

It’s also worth noting that CRST offers the longest average trucking miles in the industry.

Knight Transportation

Knight Transportation’s CDL training programs are in Phoenix, AZ, Columbus, OH, and Memphis, TN. They have partnered with various CDL schools across the United States.

A student is paired with a hand-picked trainer that is knowledgeable about the industry and hands-on with training. 

Training can take two to four weeks, with no loan payments due while you’re studying. 

After graduating and before getting hired, students must attend the Knight’s Driver Qualification Process (DQP), and pass a physical and drug test.

For about six weeks, you’ll be hitting the road with a trainer and gaining experience. You will then begin driving solo for another six weeks, along with a $35/week loan payment. 

Once you’ve completed 90,000 miles, you can now be a full-fledged trainer or continue as a solo driver while on the road.

Conclusion

And those were the best trucking schools in Oakland, CA.

Yes, there aren’t too many options for you in the city. 

But thankfully, you already have 3 great ones.

So go and choose which one suits YOUR needs and preferences. 

If you’re more interested in company-sponsored schools, then we also listed the best ones here. 

Mind you, these schools are usually scattered around the US. You might have to train far from home, depending on the school you choose. 

Whatever the case, though, you can trust that you’ll be in great hands with any of these schools. 

So good luck!