CDL Classes in Illinois

CDL Schools in Illinois

The commercial trucking industry throughout the country is taking-off at a solid rate and, by registering for CDL classes in Illinois, you’ll have the opportunity to start a career as a licensed professional trucker. Are you able to picture yourself driving a 18-wheeler in just three to seven weeks time? It’s conceivable, since the majority of the training classes are created to be fast which means that you can get started as a trucker quicker!

Becoming a Professional Truck Driver in Illinois

Within the below area, you can learn about getting your Commercial Driver’s License, learn what commercial driving in Illinois get paid, and review results for PDTI-authorized commercial driving programs in your area.
You may want to also check around the site and use our different free web resources!

RequirementsEndorsements InformationEmployment Outlook and Earnings

Commercial Driving Training Schools Prerequisites – Just What are They?

The requirements for trucking classes differ from one program to the next, but most do have a couple of basic ones in Illinois.

  • Hold a valid Class D driver’s license
  • You must be a minimum of 18 years old in Illinois (21 is the minimum for interstate driving)
  • Must have verification of United States citizenship
  • Show verification of residence in IL
  • Pass a driving history check
  • Pay a CDL screening fee


Does My Career Have a Commercial Truck Driver Professional Endorsement Prerequisite That I Need to be Aware Of?

Specialty area accreditations, or also known as endorsements, can certainly help to make the trucking business significantly more worthwhile and more profitable. There are various The following list presents a number of the most-significant ones for commercial drivers today.

  • Vehicles transporting HAZMAT (hazardous materials)
  • Tankers
  • Commercial vehicles that greater than a specified number of passengers
  • Buses for elementary school students
  • Pulling several trailers
  • Vehicles that incorporate HAZMAT and tanks

Will You Need a Commercial Driver’s License?

The DOT mandates that anybody that operates designated semi-trucks have to get their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). But you are pondering what kinds of trucks require a Commercial Driver’s License to operate. This checklist of truck or passenger bus conditions that demands a Commercial Driver’s License within the regulations and rules.

  • Any type of truck having a GVWR in excess of 26,001 lbs.
  • Any specific pairing of vehicles surpassing the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. if the truck being hauled is greater than 10,000 lbs.
  • Any specific trucks intended to carry more than 16 people
  • A vehicle required to placarded when transporting dangerous material

Learn more about truck driver Licensing by taking a look at guide to commercial driver’s license!

Job Growth and Outlook for Commercial Truck Driving in Illinois

Per the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck driving professionals are very much sought after in Illinois. New employment opportunities are expected to appear by the year 2024. As a result, in case you are seeking to be a trucking worker in Illinois, you’ll have plenty of possibilities to consider.

Truck Driver Employment Data2014 Totals2024 ProjectionsTotal Change% ChangeAvg Yearly New Jobs
Illinois71,49077,5206,0308.41,820

How Much do Commercial Driving School Graduates Earn?

The median pay for commercial truck drivers in Illinois is comparable to most jobs which require graduation from a licensing class. The below table shows the amount industry experts in this region make in comparison with the country’s median.

2014 Trucker Annual SalaryLowMedianHigh
Illinois$28,600 $43,800 $71,200
U.S.$26,200 $40,300 $62,000


Trucking Schools in the Biggest Cities in Illinois


Before you start to enroll, don’t forget to stop by our Truck Driver Resources to get more good advice, tactics to find the ideal training center and questions or concerns you must ask before putting your signature on the dotted line.

Illinois Trucking School List

160 Driving Academy – Belleville

(618) 867-6515
5720 North Belt West , Belleville, IL 62226

160 Driving Academy – Champaign

(217) 236-6977
1315 N Mattis, Champaign, IL 61821

160 Driving Academy – Chicago Heights

(708) 315-6300
199 West Joe Orr Road, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

160 Driving Academy – Crest Hill-Joliet

21055 Division St., Crest Hill, IL 60403

160 Driving Academy – Highland Community College

(815) 496-6322
2998 W Pearl City Rd., Freeport, IL 61032

160 Driving Academy – Moline

(309) 565-8285
4500 16th St, Moline, IL 61265

160 Driving Academy – Peoria

(309) 517-0822
2200 W War Memorial Dr., Peoria, IL 61613

160 Driving Academy – Rockford

(815) 496-6322
5010 Forest Hills Road, Rockford, IL 61111

160 Driving Academy – Waukegan

(847) 550-3699
320 S Greenbay Rd., Waukegan, IL 60085

Alamo Truck Driving School

(708) 793-5511
5264 W 47th St, Chicago, IL 60638

Blue Horizon Truck Driving School

(773) 788-1199
5926 S Pulaski, Chicago, IL 60629

CJ’s Truck Driver Training

(121) 722-6436 x2
305 W Illinois Street, Assumption, IL 62510

College of Lake County

(847) 543-2615
19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030

Danville Area Community College

(217) 443-3222
2000 E. Main St, Danville, IL 61832

Eagle Training Services – Crystal Lake

(847) 707-2804
1095 Pingree Rd, Suite 217, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Elgin Community College

(847) 697-1000
1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL 60123

Harper College

(847) 925-6616
1375 S. Wolf Road, Prospect Heights, IL 60070

Heartland Community College

(309) 268-8160
1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL 61761

Highland Community College

(815) 599-3418
5010 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111

Joliet Junior College

(815) 729-9020
17840 W Laraway Rd, Joliet, IL 60433

Kaskaskia College

(618) 545-3000
27210 College Rd, Centralia, IL 62801

Kishwaukee College

(815) 825-2086
21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL 60150

Kotra CDL Driving School

(847) 360-1616
1616 Grand Ave Ste 206, Waukegan, IL 60085

Lincoln Land Truck Driving School

(217) 786-2200
5250 Shepherd Road, Springfield, IL 62794

Mack Truck Training School

(610) 351-8800
7420 Richards Road, Bridgeview, IL 60455

Mega Driving School Inc

(847) 260-5680
1212 Seminary Ave 2B, Woodstock, IL 60098

Mid City Truck Driving Academy

(773) 725-3000
6740 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

Parkland College Truck Driver Training

(217) 893-3038
1008 S Perimeter Rd #921, Rantoul, IL 61866

Prairie State College

(708) 709-3500
202 South Halsted, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

Premier CDL Training Services, LLC – Belleville

(618) 641-5184
22500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL 62221

Premier CDL Training Services, LLC – Granite City

(618) 797-1725
5529 Dial Dr., Suite 4, Granite City, IL 62040

Progressive Truck School – Chicago

(773) 736-5522
5538 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641

Progressive Truck School – Cicero

(773) 736-5522
3475 S. Cicero Ave., Cicero, IL 60804

Progressive Truck School – Lansing

(773) 736-5522
1945 Bernice Rd., Lansing, IL 60438

Richland Community College

(217) 875-7200
One College Park, Decatur, IL 62521

Roehl Transport – Iron Mountain

(800) 535-0269
1330 S Jackson St., Iron Mountain, IL 49801

Shawnee Communtiy College

(618) 634-3200
8364 Shawnee College Rd, Ullin, IL 62992

Southeastern Illinois College Truck Driver Training

(618) 252-5400
3575 College Rd, Harrisburg, IL 62946

Spirit CDL TRAINING Corporation

(815) 332-7000
1202 Ipsen Road, Belvidere, IL 61008

Spoon River College Truck Driver Training

(309) 647-2794
23235 N County 22, Canton, IL 61520

Star Truck Driving School – Bensenville

(630) 238-0330
710 Larson Ln., Bensenville, IL 60106

Star Truck Driving School – Hickory Hills

(708) 233-0303
9610 S 76th Ave., Hickory Hills, IL 60457

Star Truck Driving School – Oswego

(630) 236-7200
1250 U.S. Hwy 34, Oswego, IL 60543

Star Truck Driving School – South Suburban College

(708) 225-5884
15800 State St., South Holland, IL 60473

Viking Driving School Inc

(847) 698-7771
600 Busse Hwy, Park Ridge, IL 60068


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